SINGH IS KINNG (2008): This is where the problem started! He pushed it right from the unveiling at IIFA Awards as a film that celebrates Sikhism while Anees Bazmee was actually always making an over-the-top comedy. The film was a big hit but Akshay the formula was born.

 

 

Chandni Chowk to ChinA (2009): A lot was at stake here. From Warner Bros’s first Bolly film to Akshay’s autobiographical turn as a chef-fighter. But this Nikhil Advani film turned out to be an assault on every sense and sensibility. Akshay the action man was beaten black and blue at the box-office.

 

 

 

Tasveer (2009): In the mood to experiment and use his star status to do hatke stuff, Akshay partnered Nagesh Kukunoor to make this Shyamalanesque horror film. But as the reels peeled off, it became laughable. Akshay learnt the lab was not his playground. The hard way.

 

 

 

 

Kambakkht ishq (2009): Back to hee-haw comedy, Akshay was taking no chances: he filled the screen with box-office darling Kareena Kapoor and cameos by Holly hotties Sly Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh. But nothing could salvage this juvenile piece of junk.

 

 

 

 

Blue (2009): Back to action, Akshay went under water to keep himself afloat. But again just like it had happened with Tasveer, it unintentionally turned into comedy. The treasure hunt was a joke, the sharks seemed like ghar ki machhli and no ‘jaws’ ever dropped. Akshay hasn’t tried action since. Booooo.

 

 

 

De Dana Dan (2009): When in doubt, turn to Priyan. That’s the mantra Akshay has been following for a long time, ever since Hera Pheri changed his fortunes. But this multi-starrer had so many characters making so much noise that even now no one is sure what the plot was all about.

 

 

Housefull (2010): Sajid Khan, the world’s most pompous filmmaker, made one of the world’s most puerile films. Akshay was again playing the silly simple man and was seemingly “restrained”. That made no difference. The only people laughing at a Housefull show were the characters in the film. That too thanks to laughing gas.

Khatta Meetha (2010): Back with Priyan, Akshay now wanted to represent the common man, as a road contractor fixing at every level to make ends meet. Neither khatta nor meetha, this was one insipid dish that didn’t taste right from starters to dessert. Again, more than the performance, Akshay’s thrust was on the packaging of the product.

 

Action replayy (2010): Banking on long-time friend Vipul Shah, Akshay boarded the time machine this time but only made matters worse. Looking like Chuniya from Saudagar, Akshay went from silly to sillier to silliest. Even the presence of Aishwarya Rai didn’t make any difference to the film or its fortunes. Zor ka jhatka laga — poor Akshay ko!

 

Tees Maar Khan (2010): This one seemed fool-proof for desperately-seeking-a-hit Akshay. The lady who could do no wrong, Farah Khan, had replaced SRK with Akki for box-office bonanza. But actor Kumar and director Khan served up a DUD. Have you met a single person who has said anything good about the film apart from Sheila?

what made akshay the khiladi

Khiladi (1992): The Abbas-Mustan campus whodunit gave Akshay his first major hit and Jatin Lalit gave him his first major chartbuster, Wada raha.	Yeh Dillagi (1994): Till then synonymous with action, this one showed Akshay could carry off a soft romantic role and get the crowds in.	Mohra (1994): Akshay was hot property on and off the screen and this Mast mast hit with Raveena helped raise the mercury.
Jaanwar (1999): No one expected much from this Suneel Darshan film but suddenly everyone was talking about Akki the actor.	Hera Pheri (2000): The film that turned it around for the Khiladi as Akshay the funnyman was born. Enter, Priyadarshan.	Dhadkan (2000): Could Akshay use his newfound magic touch to rock a romantic film? The answer was YES!
Ajnabee (2001): With everything clicking, Akshay tried his hand at playing the bad guy and, voila, we liked him in this avatar too.	Aankhen (2002): In his first collaboration with Vipul Shah, Akshay stood out in a talented crowd including AB Sr and Paresh Rawal.	Khakee (2004): The short-cut cop who falls in line and falls in love only to be betrayed. One of Akshay’s best screen acts.

Aitraaz (2004): Back with Abbas-Mustan, Akshay was believable as the man in a Bollywoodised Disclosure. Akshay the underplayer.	Namastey London (2007): A stellar act from Akshay, the jilted lover trying to woo back his girl with poise and charm. Kats and the soundtrack helped.

akki FAQ

Why does Akshay still get films?

Because he can still get you a big box-office opening. Tees Maar Khan might have tanked badly from Monday but the first weekend collections were Rs 38 crore. Yes there were other factors (Katrina Kaif, Farah Khan, Sheila ki jawaani) but even for a film like Khatta Meetha, the opening weekend collections were Rs 23 crore.

Why are directors so happy to sign him on?

Because the other big stars don’t do so many films a year. An Aamir Khan would do one film a year and that too his projects in most cases are creatively supervised by him. A Shah Rukh Khan would do a couple of films a year, that too with friends like Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar. A Salman Khan too is now only doing films produced by his family members. Akshay, on the other hand, does four to five films a year and that too with all kinds of directors.

Why doesn’t Akshay try to do something different?

Because as he himself told t2 during the release of Tees Maar Khan, he started from nothing and whatever he has achieved is more than enough for him. “God has been so kind. I can’t be under pressure!”

Will this dubious Akki phenomenon continue?

He is still getting films, even if they are definitely slowing down. More importantly his own production house Hari Om is active now and when he does films under that banner he adjusts the economics in such a way that it’s a win-win for everyone. So no immediate Akki respite in sight.