Exclusive Akshay Kumar interview – “I can’t lie to my audience; one false move and they will never quite trust you ever again”

By Joginder Tuteja -

August 7, 2017 - 5:15 PM IST

He delivered Jolly LLB 2 earlier this year. This stays on to be one of the rare successful Bollywood films that has done well in theaters this year. Now that he is returning with KriArj's Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, one has good hopes that Akshay Kumar would be bringing something interesting for audiences all over again. We get into an exclusive chat with the superstar who is having the time of his life juggling with different genres and subjects with each film of his and has an interesting line up ahead for many more months to come.

Exclusive Akshay Kumar interview – “I can’t lie to my audience; one false move and they will never quite trust you ever again”

25 years in the business and you are getting films as distinct as Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. This can't be plain luck, right?
Nothing that I consciously do is plain lucky. What I am blessed with is luck. The decision to do films of this caliber is purely intentional. I have slowly, passionately and deliberately put myself in a situation where I can and want to do more with my films than just entertain!

A subject like this could well have been a taboo for many out there. In fact most actors would have been content doing a token ad campaign or at a maximum chipped in for a documentary piece. What made you believe that this could well make for a big screen experience as well?
Because I wanted this subject to be heard and creating a voice about a serious issue while using humor as its backdrop and drama as its driving force. The secret ingredient being a genuine love story had me hooked from day one. Whatever reservations I might have had were completely outweighed by the chance of making this into a reality for the world to witness, that India may have 3D movies but not a toilet!

I am particularly glad about the messaging through the promotion which clearly states what the film is all about instead of camouflaging it into something that it isn't. That's the case of some honest pitching before the audience, right?
I can’t lie to my audience; it takes one false move and they will never quite trust you ever again. This film holds a message so strong, but its delivery is so delightful that it’s like being taught how to drive in a Ferrari (smiles) - fast paced, dangerous - if not careful, but beautiful around the edges!

As an actor too you have totally disintegrated yourself from what audience has seen of you and are coming across as a typical UP guy. Enjoying this time in front of the camera?
Absolutely! I love to soak up my characters and make them either as large as life, or as understated as necessary. But in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha I get to be a real honest and extremely gullible man who decides to embrace change from the depths of UP where I don’t quite know the facts of life until my beloved lady marries me. And I realize just how much is wrong in my society, in my own house and how elders can brainwash us into obedient silence if we are not careful. To be able to play a character that starts as one typical small town man, but eventually becomes a man his village can be proud of is just humbling for me as an actor and hopefully as a viewer in the audience.

Last but not the least, the film is seeing a solo release for itself and competition around you (primarily Shah Rukh Khan with his Jab Harry Met Sejal) decided to come a week earlier. That lends a good sense of smart and ego free work environment, isn't it?
It’s lovely to be able to have your own release date. Clashes are never a good idea for either party. There are enough weeks in the year for everyone to have their own ego free weekend where people are not torn between their favorites. I am extremely happy for SRK and his team to release their film in peace. Wishing everyone the best of luck. Lastly with Toilet - Ek Prem Katha I hope to just give our audiences what they have come and paid for, and that’s a good time (smiles).