Akshay Kumar has completed an incredible 35 years in the film industry, but the actor says his journey has been all about constant change and growth. As he prepares for the release of his upcoming comedy drama Welcome to the Jungle, Akshay reflected on the lessons he learned during his long career and why he felt the need to reinvent himself after becoming famous.
Akshay made his breakthrough with the 1992 film Khiladi, which established him as an action star. For many years, audiences and filmmakers mainly saw him in action packed roles. However, after spending nearly a decade in the industry, the actor realised he had become stuck in a particular image.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Akshay admitted that when he looked back at his work from those early years, he was unhappy with how limited his roles had become. He said that no one believed he could do anything beyond action films, and that made him determined to prove himself in different genres.
The actor revealed that when he first entered Bollywood, his primary goal was simply to earn money. But as his career progressed, he started looking for opportunities that would challenge him creatively. He wanted to explore comedy, romance, drama and other genres to show audiences a different side of his talent.
That decision led to some of the most memorable films of his career. Akshay successfully expanded his image through movies such as Hera Pheri, Dhadkan, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Pad Man. These films helped him move beyond the action hero label and establish himself as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors.
Looking back on his journey, Akshay said that surviving and thriving in the film industry for 35 years is extremely rare. He expressed gratitude for his long career and said he hopes to continue working for many more years. In fact, the actor joked that he wants to keep shooting films until just five minutes before his death.
His next film, Welcome to the Jungle, promises plenty of entertainment. Directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala and others, the film follows a chaotic adventure involving a fake movie shoot in a jungle. The cast and crew accidentally get caught in a conflict with bandits after being mistaken for army personnel.
The comedy features one of the biggest ensemble casts seen in recent Bollywood films, with Akshay leading a star packed lineup that includes several well known actors and comedians.