Akshay Kumar: “Overwhelming is just the beginning of how this feels”

Akshay Kumar in 'Sooryavanshi', releasing in theatres on November 5, 2021.

After a delay of some 18 months, Sooryavanshi is out today (November 5, 2021) with a record number of screens across India. Of course, this is not the first Akshay Kumar film to release in theatres this year: BellBottom came out in August 2021. But Sooryavanshi, directed by Rohit Shetty, is different in some ways.

While Maharashtra theatres had remained closed back when BellBottom was released, they are open now. Plus, a flurry of releases is lined up after Sooryavanshi. Industry insiders say that in addition to the money riding on them, big releases like Sooryavanshi are also shouldering the extra responsibility of bringing audiences across India back into the theatres after the pandemic.

Also read: Bell Bottom fails to revive box office, short theatrical window a challenge

In an interview, Akshay Kumar spoke about theatres reopening, the entertainment quotient in 'Sooryavanshi' and more. Excerpts:

Theatres are reopening across the country, many of them with your film. First thoughts?

I don’t have enough fingers to cross! All eyes are on this for so many reasons; for its action, masala, Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, Katrina (Kaif), and most importantly, for kickstarting cinemas post-Covid.

It’s a really crucial time for our fraternity... this moment affects us all in the Hindi film industry; the stronger we open, the stronger the next one can open.

Does the sense of responsibility get a bit overwhelming?

Overwhelming is just the beginning of how this feels... I have released so many movies by now, all with their own pressures and expectations, but this one is in a league of its own. To feel the responsibility to carry not only my movie but everyone else’s movies after me is a kind of heavy weight I have never carried before. But there is no other movie I would rather carry on my shoulders through this pensive storm than Sooryavanshi.

You have done films where you've taken on terrorists before. Examples include 'Holiday' and 'Baby'. What sets 'Sooryavanshi' apart?

That’s something you are going to have to experience live at the cinemas... there’s quite literally all the masala anyone needs. There is not a box that hasn’t been ticked (in Sooryavanshi); from action, to romance, to charm, to charisma for all ages and races to enjoy.

You did some dare devil stunts for the movie. It's been a while since you did that...

I wouldn’t say it’s been that long. I have never ventured too far from my action days. This film wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t kept up my hunger for stunts for all these years. But I tell you what, this was something else; such a great action team with big dreams, I felt so at home.

What was different for me this time was when I was up there, and I mean up there hanging from a helicopter with bare hands, I looked down and my daughter was on set watching me... instead of thinking about the camera, all I thought about was making her feel proud and showing her that Daddy’s grip is what got me where I am today.

Katrina Kaif on the sets of 'Sooryavanshi'." width="436" height="435" />

The film also features Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh as Singham and Simmba. The cop universe is getting bigger...

I wish Bollywood created more films with multiple heroes. There is literally nothing like being on set with these guys, it’s the same as when I used to work with Salman (Khan) or Saif (Ali Khan) or John (Abraham) or Suniel (Shetty). The energy, the banter and the nonstop stories just makes every day so much more enjoyable.

What drives Akshay Kumar? What makes you wake up and want to work so hard every day?

Good people... Good people needing jobs, good people trying hard, good people breaking barriers, good people showing up against all odds, good people making a difference. Good people do good things. These are just some of the reasons I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to stop or slow down till good people don’t want or need me any more.

Also read: Diwali Blockbuster| 'Sooryavanshi' sees pre-COVID screen count, 'Annaathhe' may top 100 crore