Four releases, three of them biggies, two centuries already, one more expected to arrive – This is how Akshay Kumar‘s report card is expected to look like when 2012 results are announced. A year which has pretty much brought about a major turnaround for him, it has also been quite eventful on the personal front, what with the birth of his second child. Even as he looks forward to the release of Khiladi 786, Akshay Kumar is relaxed as ever on the eve of film’s arrival.
‘Khiladi 786’ – A unique combination of a successful franchise and the number that has never gone wrong. So how was the title devised?
It was devised for exactly those reasons that you have mentioned. The name ‘Khiladi’ has been literally attached to me as if it were my backside, for almost 20 years now. It’s who and what I am. Plus I think I have deprived my fans of a kick-ass ‘Khiladi’ movie for long enough. When I ask people to name the entire ‘Khiladi’ franchise, people always get a bit stuck and start repeating titles. This is one title I know people won’t forget.
And how about the number 786?
To have this name with these blessed numbers in my title is almighty in my eyes. That is why seeing as this is probably the most memorable year of my life, I wanted to recreate the very title that put me on the map.
Well, another reason to rejoice must be Asin’s arrival on the scene. After all, the combination looks quite massive as well. While she has delivered multiple 100 crore successes over the years, you too are coming after three multiple major hits in this year alone.
(Smiles) I am not one to count my chickens before they have hatched. I have multiple reasons to be rejoicing in this film. I just do so very quietly so as not to create hype of the unwanted kind! Apart from my honourable heroine, I have many talents and legends from all corners of the industry in this film. From Mithun Dada, Himesh Reshammiya, Johny Lever, Raj Babbar, Mukesh Rishi, Mushtaq Khan as well as all the behind the scenes extraordinaires. It has been like working with family. So many stories to tell, jokes to crack, legs to pull; I rejoice the experience more than anything!
Meanwhile there is a lot to rejoice on the home front as well as you. Though you haven’t made much hoopla around the complete name of your daughter, there are many out there who are curious to know about that. About time that you shared that with the world?
Well, we are proud to announce that. Our precious little daughter is named – Nitara Rajesh Khanna Bhatia.
Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder