Akshay fulfills 20 year old dream, launches Karate Championship

When he entered the industry, he knew two things - Punches and Kicking! Acting followed and though it took a few films for the industry (as well as himself) to realize his acting potential, it was Akshay's expertise in martial arts that kept the show running for him. The young man who flew from Chandni Chowk to Bangkok and landed in Mumbai, his initial films like Mr. Bond, Ashaant, Paandav, Kaayda Kanoon and many more ran in theaters solely on his action power!

Now close to 20 years after establishing himself in the industry, Akshay Kumar is all set to be living his dream. He is now sponsoring a Karate Championship for the youngsters so that they can enhance their talent, represent the country and then move on to showcase their skills and abilities at an International level.

The championship has rightly been termed as 'Akshay Kumar 1st Invitational Open National Karate Championship'. The event is expected to see participation from as many as 2000 athletes who would be traveling to Mumbai from across the country. The Championships would be held from 22nd-25th October 2009 at Andheri Sports Complex Mumbai.

Says an official connected to the championship, "Akshay has always been passionate about Karate and is especially considerate about the fact that there is so much talent in the country that needs to be nurtured. He was particularly moved by the plight of some really talented athletes who could reach the highest level if given an opportunity but haven't been able to do so because of lack of funds. With this championship, he wishes to create a platform where young and budding talent from all over India would get together and get into a world class fighting event. This event will also promote Karate and Martial Arts to the remotest corners of the country."

Akshay-Suniel forget differences

Nine years after Hera Pheri, director Priyadarshan will reunite the same team in Venus' De Dhana Dhan. There were a number of factors that made the casting almost impossible.

Akshay Kumar has turned into a superstar capable of delivering solo hits. And Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar were reportedly having a tiff because Suniel withdrew himself from Singh Is Kinng at the last minute.

However now all is well and Priyadarshan has managed to bring the duo together in De Dhana Dhan. The film also stars Paresh Rawal and Katrina Kaif.

Akshay Kumar: 30-Crore Hero Economizes

Since Akshay Kumar pays all his taxes diligently it is safe and secure to state that his market price is Rs 30 crores per movie. But he’s also aware of the recession around him. When therefore his wife and child flew in to London to join him earlier this week, Akshay insisted on paying for their air tickets.

Says a source, “Producer Sajid Nadiadwala insisted it was a very small amount and part of the crew’s travel expenses. But Akshay insisted. He won’t burden his producer with extra expenditure at all, though he will charge his market price.”

Confirming this price a producer says, “Akshay does charge Rs 30 crores. No doubt about it. But beyond that there are no extra costs at all. Akshay pays for the expenses that occur during shooting.”

In fact our 30-crore hero who has just delivered another success Kambakkht Ishq decided to economize for the same producer when they reunited for another film Housefull in London this month.

Instead of putting up at the posh St James Hotel where Amitabh Bachchan and other A-listers from Bollywood stay when shooting in London, Akshay chose the posh but nevertheless far less expensive Hotel Cumberland although the producer insisted Akshay stay at the more expensive place.

Says Akshay, “No, I always prefer to stay with the rest of the unit. It always creates a feeling of unity among the crew. In fact my wife and son have just joined me in London. They’re staying at Cumberland with me.”

Apparently Akshay also paid Twinkle and Aarav’s airfare from his own pocket, refusing to let his harried producer bear a bit more of the ever-mounting expenses.

Says Akshay, “Sajid is an old friend. And even if he wasn’t I know exactly how difficult it is for a producer to keep the budget in check.

During all the years that I’ve been in the industry I’ve observed what a thankless task it is for producers to meet up the demands of the project and the people involved with the project.”

HOT: Box office figures fudged?

The next time you come across a film promotion ad which says super hit, think twice. It doesn't take a hit film to put up ads because whether a film is a hit or not this is all part of a planned promotional campaign.

There may be ads that say a film has collected Rs 100 crore but does it really matter to the movie buffs?

"Sometimes producers publish super hit posters even before the film has released. It's clear that some producers play with the audience when their film is not working," filmmaker Supran Verma said.

DON'T MISS: The Kambakhht Ishq movie review

A case in point is the recent release Kambakhht Ishq. Considering the high profile star cast, a flamboyant producer and Sylvester Stallone as an added attraction, this film was expected to be a big hit at the box office but destiny had different plans for the film.

It has been over two weeks and the film is far from recovering its cost. It has reportedly made Rs 62 crore but the ads in the papers insist that the film has already collected Rs 100 crore. So the facts obviously differ.

In the past too there have been many filmmakers who have claimed a lot more than their films have collected. For a long time the producers of the biggest flop of 2009 Chandni Chowk to China claimed that the film is running to packed houses but even there the reality was something else.

Only later when the theatre owners started to pull out the film from the screens a week after its release that it was clear that Akshay Kumar was not able to draw the crowds this time.

The ads of last years biggest dud Love Story 2050 also said that the film at some point was running successfully. But this never happened. Even Yashraj studios claimed that their film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic performed well at the box office but the film was a complete washout.

Though, we have reached the multiplex age, the Indian box office remains disorganised and some producers clearly take advantage and tamper with box office figures.

Akshay to romance Sonam?

Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat's surprise 2006 hit Pyaar Ke Suide Effects is set to return as a sequel. But according to a story in the Mumbai Mirror, the original lead couple will be replaced.

Producer Pritish Nady told the newspaper, "Akshay Kumar was the first and only choce for the sequel. He has that roguish charm to take Sid's role further."

Nandy further confirmed that Akshay has already agreed to work on the sequel and they only have to figure out dates and finances. "Akshay is as integral to this project as RD Burman was to Jhankar Beats," Nandy was quoted by the paper as saying.

According to the paper Akshay found the script very funny and was looking forward to the prospect of working with a new director.

As for the leading lady, the paper reports that Mallika Sherawat has declined the sequel. And role might most probably fall into Sonam Kapoor's kitty.

Akshay and Sonam were earlier slated to be a part of David Dhawan's son's directorial debut. But that project is apparently on hold.

Akshay jumps from 10th floor!

Trust Akshay Kumar to put a kahani mein twist even in a routine happening like a press meet.
On Thursday evening, in Delhi to promote Kambakkht Ishq, Akshay decided to conduct a press conference in a unique way.

He opted to join the melee of press persons at the Citywalk mall by jumpimg down from the 10th floor.

Laughs Akshay, “I think everyone was bored with just the routine questions and answers. So I decided to make the get-together exciting for both the parties at the press meet and for the onlookers.”

Wasn’t it dangerous to jump down from such a high altitude? “All precautions were taken. Besides what’s life without taking risks?” quips Akshay.