Then and Now - Akshay Kumar

As a new month begins, BollyCurry brings to you another new edition of Stars: Then and Now.


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(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.

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Akshay Kumar Thumbnail

Akshay Kumar

Rakhee Gulzar Thumbnail

Rakhee Gulzar

Mahesh Bhatt Thumbnail

Mahesh Bhatt

Shanti Priya Thumbnail

Shanti Priya

Aaj poster

Aaj

Deedar(1992) poster

Deedar(1992)

Hera Pheri poster

Hera Pheri

Khiladi poster

Khiladi

Main Khiladi Tu Anadi poster

Main Khiladi Tu Anadi

Mohra poster

Mohra

Sainik poster

Sainik

Saugandh poster

Saugandh

Dancer poster

Dancer

Mr. Bond poster

Mr. Bond

Dil Ki Baazi poster

Dil Ki Baazi

Kayda Kanoon poster

Kayda Kanoon

Yeh Dillagi poster

Yeh Dillagi

Dil To Pagal Hai poster

Dil To Pagal Hai

Waqt Hamara Hai poster

Waqt Hamara Hai

Sabse Bada Khiladi poster

Sabse Bada Khiladi

Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi poster

Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi

Singh Is Kinng poster

Singh Is Kinng

Namastey London poster

Namastey London

Welcome poster

Welcome

Bewafaa poster

Bewafaa

Deewana Huye Paagal poster

Deewana Huye Paagal

Dosti - Friends Forever poster

Dosti - Friends Forever

Phir Hera Pheri poster

Phir Hera Pheri

Khakee poster

Khakee

Talaash: The Hunt Begins... poster

Talaash: The Hunt Begins...

Ajnabee poster

Ajnabee

Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love poster

Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love

Dhadkan poster

Dhadkan

Jaanwar poster

Jaanwar

Housefull poster

Housefull

Housefull 2 poster

Housefull 2

OMG! Oh My God poster

OMG! Oh My God

Special 26 poster

Special 26

Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara! poster

Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi poster

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty  poster

Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty

BABY poster

BABY

Gabbar Is Back poster

Gabbar Is Back

Brothers poster

Brothers

Airlift poster

Airlift

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