Tag: Akshay Kumar

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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs

‘Initially Had Trouble Figuring Out His Process’

‘Sarfira’ is the Hindi remake of her own film ‘Soorarai Pottru’ which starred Tamil superstar Suriya…reports Asian Lite News

Director Sudha Kongara, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming movie ‘Sarfira’, has shared her experience of working with Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar in the film.

The director said that she and Akshay Kumar initially had creative differences while shooting for the film as the superstar has his own method which Sudha found difficult to work around.

‘Sarfira’ is the Hindi remake of her own film ‘Soorarai Pottru’ which starred Tamil superstar Suriya.

Talking about how the two superstars are different, Sudha told ‘Galatta Plus’, “Suriya is Suriya. I have known him for over 25 years, and it’s much easier to tell him what I want. It’s very friendly and casual. But with Akshay sir, it’s ‘sir’ first of all, and I was meeting this gentleman for the first time. Since I have no filters, it was almost similar.”

The director said that for the first six days, Akshay Kumar wasn’t happy. She said: “He was like, ‘What is this girl making me do all this rubbish?’ So then he and the producer spoke to me, and I said, ‘You do whatever you like to do, and I will tell you when it isn’t going right.”

She further mentioned that she also had to let go because she had created the perfect Maara (the protagonist) in her head, and she thought there could be nobody better than Suriya, and that’s how it had to be played.

She continued: “I soon realised that I was suffocating this actor who had his own method, so I had to let go. After six days, I showed him a cut of a particular scene, and the next day he came to me and said, ‘I have a way of performing. I have a way of doing things and a process, but this is the first time I am trying to understand what is going on in your head.”

“I am trying to give you that.’ I said, ‘Very good. I love it.’ From there, we made peace, and we had a wonderful time shooting with each other. I really enjoyed working with him. He keeps saying, ‘Isko toh filter he nahi hai (She doesn’t have a filter),” she added.

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Bollywood Fashion Lite Blogs

‘Force IX is my seven years old dream’

Akshay Kumar

Today’s fashion dynamism is so big and expansive that our viewers are losing their complacency and becoming more fashion-conscious and observant. Their fashion sense and flare led the brand to create the most unique mood board…reports Asian Lite News

After what appears to be a lengthy social media hype, an idea created many years ago by Akshay Kumar has finally catapulted itself into a brand – Force IX.

Force IX is a brand that is here to defy modern-day fashion conventions. The foundation of this company is to create styles that are not only unique but also effortless and versatile.

Today’s fashion dynamism is so big and expansive that our viewers are losing their complacency and becoming more fashion-conscious and observant. Their fashion sense and flare led the brand to create the most unique mood board.

One of the primary selling points of the brand is the thorough attention to detail in its collection. Every detail, from the logo to the buttons and the stitching, has been articulated, developed, and curated with a purpose in mind: to symbolise the basic ideals of the brand and to pique the customers’ attention. Here is an interaction with Akshay Kumar to learn more about this new venture…

As a person in the creative field, how important is it for an artiste to diversify his funds and portfolio in various business ventures and avenues?

As they say, don’t put all your eggs in one basket…I think no matter which field you belong to, diversifying your funds is always a good idea because besides helping with safeguarding your interests, you get to learn a lot. It helps in getting more exposure and knowing about more avenues.

A lot of actresses like Deepika, Anushka, and Katrina have forayed into the lifestyle and fashion business and created sub-brands in collaboration with larger brands… Do you think the male actors were not as quick to pursue this and have only now decided to foray into this world?

Absolutely! Maybe because it’s true, we men cannot multitask. We were busy making movies while they built their empire. (He smiles…) Women are way smarter. Many of my female co-stars were early movers and adopters of growing trends. And now they own and run successful brands. We, men, could take a tip or two from them.

What does the brand Force IX mean to you?

Force IX is my seven years old dream which is finally coming true. I’ve wanted to have a clothing line of mine for many years now, seven to be precise. On two occasions I was even close to launching it but somehow things didn’t work out. And now here we are talking about the Force IX launch so I guess the third time is a charm.

Force IX is much more than a clothing brand for me. It is my extension, a part of me that will encompass and bring my thirty-year journey in this industry to you. It is
‘Engineered with Emotion.’

How much of your creative ideation has gone into it?

AK: Firstly let me tell you, I am not a designer. Yes, I have a sense of style…you can call me a curator. We have a young and talented team onboard who study market trends across the world, and tweak and put together the mood board for every season. I give my input and in the process learn many things from them. So while I may not have designed the clothes, you will get a touch of my style in Force IX.

A redefined athleisure wear brand by Akshay Kumar(ianslife)

Your upcoming projects.

AK: I began 2023 with a family entertainer titled Selfie. It’s a one-of-a-kind and fascinating tale about a celebrity and his superfan! Then there’s OMG – Oh My God 2, which is a documentary. A biopic is also in the works on Late Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill, who rescued 65 miners from a flooded coal mine. It’s a one-of-a-kind story. I’ve also finished a film on a startup. The film is a Hindi version of the critically acclaimed Tamil film Soorarai Pottru. And then there’s Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which I’m now shooting with Tiger Shroff. It’s an all-out action entertainer set to hit theatres on Christmas in 2023.

ALSO READ-AKSHAY KUMAR: ‘If I like a film, I do it’

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Lite Blogs

‘Failures happened several times in my career’

The 54-year-old actor has been in the industry for over three decades and has worked in over 100 films. He made his debut with ‘Saugandh’…writes DURGA CHAKRAVARTY

 Bollywood’s very own ‘Khiladi’ Akshay Kumar has seen the highs of highs with films such as ‘Sooryavanshi’, ‘Kesari’, ‘Baby’ and ‘Holiday-A Soldier Is Never Off Duty’ among many others. He has also tasted failure with his recent releases such as ‘Bachchhan Paandey’ and ‘Samrat Prithviraj’.

The superstar, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film ‘Raksha Bandhan’ directed by Aanand L. Rao, does not feel affected by it as he says that ups and downs happen in everyone’s life.

Over the years, Akshay has pushed the envelope and has given out films such as ‘Padman’ and ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ to name a few, which helped in raising issues and gives out a strong message.

Asked if he feels any responsibilities as he has worked in genre-bending movies, Akshay in a conversation, said: “No, we are making films. We are not taking responsibilities. Yeah, a man would think that his film works so that he has the strength to go forward to make films as there are so many other issues. But responsibilities, don’t want to think that much. My last two films did not work. People came up to me and said that you have to do something now, I made films and did not work.”

Akshay then spoke about how he had seen failure in his career earlier too.

“This has happened several times in my career.. Ups and downs happen in everybody’s life. Already, a man puts in everything in making a film and after that doing the publicity of that film that too takes a toll.”

What about mixed responses, does that take a toll too?

“Only till Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The three days of release that affect and from Monday different work starts,” said the actor, who was named in the 2019 Forbes list of highest paid entertainers in the world, ranking 52nd.

The 54-year-old actor has been in the industry for over three decades and has worked in over 100 films. He made his debut with ‘Saugandh’.

He was then seen in films such as the ‘Khiladi’ franchise, ‘Andaaz’, ‘Dhadkan’, ‘Namastey London’, ‘Airlift’, ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise, ‘Special 26’ and ‘Rustom’ among many other commercial blockbusters.

Looking back at his journey, Akshay feels like it was just yesterday that ‘Khiladi’ and ‘Saugandh’ were released.

“When I look back, I don’t know how these 31 years just passed by. It feels like I just did ‘Khiladi’, ‘Saugandh’… It feels amazing. The time just flew by and I didn’t even realise what all had happened. It’s amazing. Things have happened so fast.”

‘Raksha Bandhan’ is all set to release on Thursday. It also stars Bhumi Pednekar.

ALSO READ-AKSHAY KUMAR: ‘If I like a film, I do it’

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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs

Akshay Kumar’s ‘Prithviraj’ release postponed

The surge in cases has resulted in strict regulations across India and some markets like New Delhi also decided to shut theatres…reports Asian Lite News

Akshay Kumar’s next ‘Prithviraj’ that was scheduled to release on January 21 has been postponed due to Omicron and the steep rise in Covid cases in India.

A source said: “When you have a sureshot blockbuster at hand that will appeal to audiences across the country, you can’t gamble with such a huge product. ‘Prithviraj’ will massively aid in bringing people back to the theaters and it can’t be released at a time when it won’t fulfill this purpose. Business wise too it doesn’t make sense to compromise a film that will rake in the moolah at the box-office.

“It’s a no-brainer to postpone the film and gauge Omicron and the Covid-19 scenario before taking a call on the next release date of the film.”

The surge in cases has resulted in strict regulations across India and some markets like New Delhi also decided to shut theatres.

“YRF was waiting till the last minute to see if the situation in India and overseas improves but the pace with which coronavirus cases are accelerating, it forced their hand to hold on to the biggest title.”

The source added: “Everyone is looking at ‘Prithviraj’ to take the box-office by storm and set some new milestones in the post-pandemic era and YRF is committed to this belief. They will put this project out when it can set the box-office on fire.”

‘Prithviraj’, directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, will also mark the debut of former Miss World Manushi Chhillar.

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