Akshay Kumar: I don't like the tag of superstar

'It’s a tough job to be an actor today,' Akshay Kumar tells Sonil Dedhia/ Rediff.com

In a time when actors want to focus on one film a year, Akshay Kumar manages four releases a year.

Apart from promoting his next film Baby, which releases later this month, Akshay is currently working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Main Gabbar, Prabhu Dheva’s Singh Is Bling, Karan Johar’s Brother and debutant director Raja Menon’s Airlift.

In a brief conversation with Sonil Dedhia/ Rediff.com, Akshay explains why it is tough to be an actor today.

There is much talk about the similarities between your film Oh My God and PK.

I have seen PK and I don't think it is similar to Oh My God.

The theme is probably the same but the treatment, plot, and everything else is different.

The title of your next film Baby is very curious.

Even I was surprised with the title but later I realised why Neeraj (Pandey, director) gave this title.

In the film, the high command selects around 20 to 25 highly skilled people just to kill terrorists. This is a secret operation and the code name of this group is Baby because it's a new operation. 

Why are you not part of Hera Pheri 3, your successful franchise?

I was never offered the film.

I have another film lined up and they want to start very early. So, at the moment I don't have the dates to do it.

I am going to miss being a part of Hera Pheri 3.

A lot of new directors in the industry prefer you to the younger actors…

(Interrupts) No, I think everyone has got work and they are doing great films.

It is not easy to become an actor today. From action to dance to emotions, you need to know everything perfectly.

It’s a tough job to be an actor today.

You are the only actor who does three or four films at a time.

It’s very easy to do four films. One film doesn’t take more than 60 days, so four films will take 240 days. There are 365 days in the year, so the rest is all holiday (laughs).

Also, all my films are different. I don't want to be typecast in any particular genre. No one can ask me why I do the same kind of films because I have never done that in my career.

I would like to be known as an actor and not a superstar. I don't like the tag of superstar.

There was a time when superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and others would work together in a film. Do you see that happening with today’s superstars?

It happens today also, but not often. The problem is there in no unity in our industry as there is in the south.

I recently read Aamir’s interview and he too mentioned this lack of unity.

You once said that your wife Twinkle Khanna wants you to win a National Award.

I don’t know when it will happen. Jab milna hoga woh mil jaega (I’ll get it whenever its fated).

Today, along with slapstick comedies and commercial cinema, these films appeal to me and that's why I am veering towards a Holiday or a Baby.