Everything Akshay Kumar does is larger than life. His grand entrance at his latest film Boss’s press conference aboard a yacht was no exception. With the yacht already on the water and no sign of the superstar being on board, there was a moment when everyone thought this just might be one of those “sorry, he couldn’t make it” occasions. But we couldn’t have been more wrong. The title track of the film blared out from the speakers and he suddenly appeared, circling the yacht on a jet ski. After a couple of loops around the yacht, he parked the jet ski on the side and came aboard.
“I really wanted to go faster, but I couldn’t,” he confessed. “I think you guys have some kind of a speed limit in these waters!”
A humble charm belies everything you would expect from an actor with a 23-year acting career comprising 125 films – with a combined collection of almost US$310 million (Dh1.14bn) at the box office.
In his latest film, out on Friday in the UAE, he plays a gangster who goes by the name of Boss, which also happens to be the title of the thriller.
Can you tell us a little bit about your character in the film?
I play a gangster from Haryana – Boss. He is a larger than life, extremely colourful character. This is an out-and-out action film, but the character of Boss brings a real fun element to it. Every character brings its own identity. I was excited about playing a Haryanvi character because it’s not something I have done before. I like to reinvent myself and such a great character and such a great story was the perfect opportunity for me to do that.
You’re known as an action hero and stunts have kind of become your trademark. Last year alone you had Rowdy Rathore and Khiladi 786. Why so many of these films?
They always work, don’t they? If that’s what the audience wants to see, then why not? The audience loves seeing me in these kinds of roles.
Let’s talk about the action sequences in Boss. There has been a lot of publicity around the fact that there are more than 12 major action sequences and a lot of hand-to-hand combat. Tell us about the action bits.
The hand-to-hand combat in this film works really well because it’s so raw and realistic. It doesn’t look over the top. There is a lot of really well-choreographed, very realistic-looking combat and there are a lot of amazing action sequences. This is a different type of action movie that has a unique style. Every action sequence is designed differently. A strong action backdrop was needed to drive a powerful story forward.
You are known for doing almost all of your own stunts. Where do you draw the line?
To tell you the truth, even if you ask me to jump out of a helicopter, I will do it. This kind of thing doesn’t make me nervous. After years of working on such sequences, there is a very small chance of something going wrong. I would probably be more worried about jumping off a tiny stool: you can injure yourself more severely and break many more bones jumping off a stool than out of a helicopter.
The music in the film is sensational. Which is your favourite song?
Yes, all the songs are simply superb. But the one that is closest to my heart is Pitaah Se Hai Naam Tera (You are Your Father’s Legacy) because it is such a beautiful song about the father-son relationship.
A lot of the film was shot in Bangkok. You had spent a lot of time there in your younger years. In fact, back then, you were a young man who was really struggling. How did it feel to go back as a superstar?
I used to work as a chef in Bangkok and that’s also where I learnt martial arts. This wasn’t the first time I have gone back there since I’ve started doing films, but just like it is every time I do go back, it was a very emotional time for me. I showed my son Aarav the places where I worked so hard to become the man that I am today. I took him to the places where I used to work, eat, sleep and train. When I was standing in the doorway of the kitchen where I used to work, I literally had to fight back my tears. It just goes to show that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. I really wanted to show my son that. That’s the legacy I want to leave for him: that hard work pays off, and that you can’t achieve success without working towards it.
artslife@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
Company%20profile
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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