Actor Akshay Kumar has said he felt like “slapping himself” after looking back at the first decade of his film career, during which he largely appeared in action roles. The actor said he realised he had become confined to a particular image and needed to reinvent himself by exploring different genres and characters.

Speaking to PTI, the 58-year-old actor reflected on his 35-year journey in Hindi cinema, describing it as a rare achievement. He said his initial goal was simply to earn money, but over time he developed a desire to challenge himself creatively and expand his range as a performer.

From Action Hero to Versatile Performer

Looking back on his early years in the industry, Akshay said he became concerned that audiences and filmmakers viewed him only as an action star.

“Thirty-five years are a long time…. It is a one in a billion or million chance to have 35 years of career. I hope I go further and cross 40. The prayer is that I keep shooting just five minutes before my death. Initially, when I came to the industry, I only wanted to make money.”

He said the turning point came when he reviewed his body of work after spending a decade in the industry.

“But after that decade, when I saw my films, I felt like slapping myself. I had only done action roles, and nobody thought I was capable of anything else. I realised that I needed to transform myself, and I wanted to do different characters.”

The actor cited films such as Hera Pheri (2000), Dhadkan (2000), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Toilet…Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Padman (2018) as examples of projects that helped him move beyond the action genre.

“I have kept transforming myself,” he said.

‘I Want to Work Every Day’

Akshay compared his career to a building that requires constant rebuilding and renewal.

According to the actor, the film industry has given him more success than he ever imagined, and he feels a responsibility to contribute by remaining consistently active.

“I know there are people who say, ‘What’s the need to do four films in a year, why not one movie?’ But I say I want to work every day… It is my duty to do at least four films so that there is more work and business in the industry.”

He added that commercial success and failure are an unavoidable part of filmmaking, but they do not affect his commitment to working regularly.

“Hits and flops are part of the business, but I have to deliver, I have to go to work, and that’s what I have been doing,” he said.

Welcome To The Jungle Set for Release

Akshay is now preparing for the release of Welcome To The Jungle, his second film of the year after Bhoot Bangla.

The film is the latest instalment in the Welcome franchise and features an ensemble cast including Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Suneil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav.

Directed by Ahmed Khan, the comedy film recently received a UA 16+ certificate from the censor board after 18 cuts and modifications. The changes reportedly included the removal of references to Kashmir, revisions to certain dialogues and edits involving scenes featuring Disha Patani and Jacqueline Fernandez.

The film has a runtime of 164.50 minutes, equivalent to 2 hours, 44 minutes and 50 seconds.

Produced by Firoz A Nadiadwallah, Rakesh Dang and Vedant Vikaas Baali, Welcome To The Jungle is scheduled to hit theatres on June 26.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share