As a new month
begins, BollyCurry brings to you another new edition of Stars: Then and Now. This
time the one who has caught BollyCurry's eye is none other than Bollywood's khiladi,
Akshay Kumar. Kumar is an excellent actor and a well-known stunt man in
the fraternity. Let us give you a glimpse of his film journey, which
started at the young age of twenty-one and now spans over twenty-six
glorious
years.
From a tender age,
Kumar was fond of dancing and martial arts. After he obtained a black belt in
Taekwondo in India,
he flew out to Bangkok, Thailand to learn Muay Thai. He
returned to Mumbai and started teaching martial arts, which lead him to a
modelling assignment. In turn, the assignment led to him being signed for his
first movie - Kumar's ticket to Bollywood.
Kumar's first film
was an uncredited appearance as a martial arts instructor in
Mahesh Bhatt's
Aaj (1987).
His first appearance in a lead role was in
Saugandh (1991)
with actors
Rakhee Gulzar and
Shanti Priya. In 1991, he did two other films
Dancer and
Khiladi.
His role in
Khiladi was considered his breakthrough role and
garnered him immense appreciation. Films such as
Mr. Bond (1992),
Deedar (1992),
Dil Ki Baazi (1993),
Kayda
Kanoon (1993),
Waqt Hamar Hai (1993) and
Sainik (1993)
didn't work for Kumar and were unfortunately declared flops. His career picked
up in 1994, with films like
Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Mohra, Yeh Dillagi,
Suhaag and
Elaan. Out of these films, the first two
films were declared the highest grossing films of the year, and
Yeh
Dillagi got him his first ever nomination for Filmfare Best Actor
Award and Star Screen Award. He was undoubtedly the most successful actor of the year.
In the years 1995 through 1999, Kumar had numerous successful films such
as
Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995)
, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1995)
,
Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
and
Jaanwar (1999)
which earned him numerous nominations at award functions along with commercial
success at the box office.
He then went to do
films such as
Hera Pheri (2000),
Dhadkan (2000),
Ek
Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), and
Ajnabee (2001), which earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Villain. His next couple of
films didn't do well at the box office and didn't receive a green signal from
critics.
Talaash: The Hunt Begins (2003) turned to be a
commercial success and was declared a hit at the box office. From 2003 to 2012,
Kumar's success graph has seen extreme highs and lows with films like
Khakee (2003
),
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004
), Bewafaa (2005),
Deewane Huye Paagal (2005)
, Dosti: Friends Forever (2005
), Phir
Hera Pheri (2006
), Namastey London (2007
), Welcome (2007),
Singh
Is Kinng (2007
), Housefull (2010
), Housefull 2 (2012
) and
OMG
- Oh My God! (2012
). In the last two years, Kumar has done numerous unique and well-appreciated films like
Special 26 (2013
), Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobara (2013
), Holiday (2013
) and
Baby (2015
).
Kumar's career
graph is definitely a rollercoaster ride, but a ride that many envy. He has won
many awards for numerous films and stamped himself as one of the leading actors
of Tinsel Town. His upcoming films include Gabbar is Back (2015)
, Brother (2015) and
Airlift
(2016)
. We at BollyCurry wish our Khiladi all the best for his upcoming
ventures and hope he continues to steal the audience's hearts with his
spectacular performances.
Author: Nisha M.
Editors: Mohini N. and Gunia K.
Graphics: Marsh P.
Have a suggestion or comment for BollyCurry? Then drop us a PM at BC_Dropbox today!