The superstar on looking for a silver lining amid box office lows, breaking the barrier of 'mindset of limitation' as an outsider, how his discipline and work ethic have kept him going for over three decades, and the kind of cinema he wants to be a part of in the future
Akshay Kumar, Image: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images
Akshay Kumar has seen the best and worst of the film industry since making his acting debut in 1991. Of late, he’s had to experience a series of flops, the most recent being Sarfira, based on the life of Air Deccan founder Captain Gorur R Iyengar Gopinath, the pioneer in low-cost aviation. The 56-year-old will next be seen in Khel Khel Mein, his third release of the year. In an interaction with Forbes India, the superstar speaks about experiencing failure, his passion for work, and the need to provide audience with entertaining content. Edited excerpts:
Q. What drew you to do Sarfira? What aspect of the story intrigued you the most?
When I first heard the story of Sarfira, I was instantly captivated by the audacity and vision of Captain Gopinath. His dream of creating a low-cost airline in India is nothing short of revolutionary. What intrigued me the most was the way he faced numerous obstacles, his resilience, his passion and determination. The story is not just about aviation but about breaking barriers, challenging norms, and believing in the impossible. That kind of story was inspiring and aligned perfectly with the kind of cinema I want to be a part of.
Q. Which is the biggest barrier that you broke in life to become the superstar that you are?