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Akshay changes gears

IF THERE is a Cloud 9 in Bollywood, then Akshay Kumar is riding on it. Never mind the Khans, the action hero is back in, well, action! Truly, Bollywood has to come up with an A-list actor as versatile as Akshay.

From action to romance and now comedy, he's laughed his way to the bank with every role.

Though Akshay himself is reluctant to talk about where he is placed in Bollywood. I am not a horse at Mahalaxmi taking part in a race, he said. Numbers honestly don't matter to me. In life, things hardly come when you want them to.

But I am glad that I caught the bus when I did, so what if I was the last passenger? In the wake of the success of Namastey London and Sajid Nadiadwala's Heyy Babyy, he made a welcome return, showcasing his wide flair for first romance and then comedy. Now he is thirsting to make an action movie and is waiting for a good script.

Life's been a very amazing journey for me. When I first joined the film industry, I didn't anticipate anything beyond making some money and getting the usual little recognition. But fate has been more than generous. I still don't know if I am in an enviable position, he said.

Akshay doesn't believe that action is more a niche genre. Today, no single genre rules alone. Everything is dictated by the Friday success formula. If Hera Pheri did well, comedy was the need of the day. After the success of Dhoom, action was back, and with Heyy Babby, it's comedy again, he explained, adding, So every newcomer today is well equipped to handle everything. That's a good thing. Unlike in our time, when we got slotted in genres. But fortunately I realised this at the right time and changed gear to do romance and comedy.

What's exciting him at this point, however, is his shift into a different kind of cinema with Nagesh Kukunoor's psychological thriller. Today I am in a position where I can take a risk by doing completely different kinds of movies. Nagesh's movies are middle of the road but still have a commercial aspect, Akshay said.

His professional life is rocking, but it is said his personal life is floundering. There have been reports about the persistent problems in his married life. Akshay laughed, What rubbish! There isn't any tiff between Twinkle and me. I am very happy with my marriage. People should not pry so much into somebody's domestic life. Leave us alone, we need our space.