Akshay has the best Body for Suniel

Akshay is very flexible, lean and fit
picture: Viral Bhayani

He himself has a well-toned body and exercises regularly, but actor-turned-producer Suniel Shetty says when it comes to the fittest body in tinsel town, Akshay Kumar wins hands down as he has maintained his physique throughout his 18-year career.

"Akshay has the fittest body in Bollywood, and all these years we have seen him getting better day by day," Suneil Shetty told IANS.

"He is very flexible, lean and fit and to maintain this level of fitness he has worked out with dedication and discipline over the years," said Suniel, who was in New Delhi to launch a gym.

Suniel, who is currently working with Akshay in "De Dana Dan", teamed up with the action hero for the first time in "Hum Hain Bemisaal" followed by hits like "Mohra", "Hera Pheri" and "Dhadkan".

Suniel added that Akshay does all his stunts himself and doesn’t think twice before jumping from a cliff unlike other actors.

"I know so many actors who claim that they do their stunts themselves, but the scenario is completely opposite. To know the reality, you should check with stunt masters. That’s why I believe fitness just doesn’t come with appearance, it is something that is inside you," Suniel said.

Akshay entered Bollywood in 1991 with "Saugandh" and earned the action hero tag with movies like "Khiladi" and "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi".

Suniel feels it is a good trend to see stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan displaying their six-pack-abs and eight-pack-abs for "Om Shanti Om" and "Ghajini" respectively, but adds that it would be even better if they are able to maintain that physique.

"Body-building is not a difficult task; what in fact is tough is to maintain that sculpted body. It is really a good sign that actors are giving due attention to their fitness levels, but the most important thing is to see how long they can sustain that look," the actor said.

"The other good thing that has come out of this whole eight-pack-abs promotion is that people now want to achieve a certain level of fitness," Suniel said.

But Suniel has a word of caution for people who want to acquire eight-pack-abs.

"Fitness necessarily does not mean achieving eight-pack-abs, it requires lot of dedication, focus and good eating habits - all this can help you in getting a perfect body. But one should not go in for shortcuts like steroids because it can be harmful in the long run," Suniel added.

The actor candidly admits that when he forayed into films, all he had was his well-built muscular body and that fetched him roles. Now after spending 16 years in the industry, he feels his achievement is the result of his sincerity and dedication towards his work.

Suniel turned producer in 2003 and his Popcorn Motion Pictures Ltd has produced films like "Khel", "Rakht" and "Bhagam Bhag".

The actor will next be seen in Inder Kumar’s comic caper "Daddy Cool", Anthony D’Souza’s "Blue" and Priyadarshan’s comedy flick "De Dana Dan".

Indo-Asian News Service

Akshay is not Superman

You would have thought with the appalling reviews and public criticism his 2009 non-starter Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C) received in India, Akshay Kumar would have retreated to a corner to sulk and lick his wounds .

Far from it! Bollywood’s action hero who laughs, cries, sings, dances and kickboxes in the film that producer Warner Bros’ American audiences and the Hollywood press (also, Indian kids) actually enjoyed, is standing on his feet having taken the punches squarely on the chin... BT put him on the mat and got him to deliver straight replies to some more punches...

With this flop, it’s being said your golden spell is over...
But my so-called flop has generated Rs 45 crore in the first weekend... it’s the fourth highest, three-day box office collection in the history of Bollywood. Besides, I never said this was the greatest film ever made. I told everyone, ‘It’s a senseless film, leave your brains at home.’ I accept it for what it is, I love it for what it is, and I will stand by it and say that’s the film we wanted to make and we made. I pray you like it, and I’m sorry if you don’t. But I didn’t break my back doing it to have my own fraternity later stab me from behind...

But you’re hugely successful, you had the opportunity to choose ... did you make the right choice?
I accept failure, no problem; failing isn’t the scary part, reading newpapers is what brings me out in a cold sweat! Mistakes I can live with, but regret is one thing I can do without. I did my best, I’m not Superman, if I never fall how will I pick myself up to climb again!

Shekhar Suman says you ought to apologise for CC2C...
Bollywood is a family, if you have a problem come to my house and discuss it with me over tea, don’t poison the minds of our public. Have you ever heard me hurt anyone? But Shekar Suman’s not the only one. His son’s film releases tomorrow and I wish him the very best. I hope no one ever talks about Shekhar’s son the same way he spoke about me.

Where does CC2C leave you?
Thank God I’m not considered number one or anything of the sort. I’m happy being the underdog that has to struggle. It’s what I’m used to doing and it’s where I’m happiest. I can get on with being the dude who just wants to make films. Wish me luck ...

What is the road ahead like?
Bumpy, full of pot-holes, but I’ll reach my destination ... I work hard, I do good things with my money, and all I want to do at the end of the day is go home and play with my innocent son. No film, no money and no amount of success is more precious than that. I’m lucky, every month my son’s dying to see another one of my films!

People say you’ve lost your trademark modesty with success...
No one can ever take away my modesty. I haven’t changed since the day I started, in fact I’m even more mellow now than I used to be. People are dying to pull me down. I understand why. But I won’t become too big for my boots. Have I ever thrown my weight around or abused my position in the industry? Why do you think after all the flops I am still here!

You gave away your Best Actor award in the Popular category to Aamir Khan. People claim that magnanimity was not the reason behind your grand gesture...
Of course they will, you only hear crap about me around release time; they did it to me before Singh Is Kinng and are doing it again now. I gave my award to Aamir because I felt he deserved it. Just because he doesn’t turn up for awards doesn’t mean I can pretend it doesn’t belong to him. I was honoured to be given the award and, to be honest, it took a lot for me to give it away. Aamir knows why I did what I did, he understands me, why can’t people? Everybody’s not corrupt.

CC2C Bombs: Akshay dumps Deepika

Just about a week back there were talks of Akshay Kumar signing multiple projects with Deepika Padukone. All that seems to be out of question now as Akshay had decided to dump Deepika after the debacle of Chandni Chowk To China. Akshay has in fact roped in Deepika's arch rival Sonam Kapoor for his next movie Come On Pappu.

Come On Pappu will be the directorial debut for David Dhawan's son Rohit Dhawan. Sources close to the director say that the female lead's role was open and had Chandni Chowk To China done well Deepika would have surely bagged the role. But since the pairing didn't click Akshay didn't want to do another movie with Deepika instead chose her biggest rival Sonam Kapoor.

Deepika and Sonam have had mutual dislike for each other since the time their debut movies Om Shanti Om and Saawariya clashed at the Box Office. Ranbir Kapoor had dated Sonam after his first breakup with Deepika. Later the Kapoor scion went back into the arms of the OSO actress. Loosing the role to Sonam will hurt Deepika more than loosing a role in the movie.

Whom is Akshay Kumar Scared of?

Akshay is enjoying his success in Bollywood yet he is aware that he has competition. And it’s not the well established Khans that are giving him a run he believes...

In fact it’s the ‘new age’ heroes, and the young kids on the block that are making Akki work harder than ever before.

“You can see there is a lot of competition around for me nowadays,” he admits, “I love working with younger heroes but am also scared of them. They are all so fit. If I have to work with them then I have to match up to them. And that means I ought to be fit and fine, for there’s no time to sit and rest.”

Looks like the guy’s all charged up, eh? It’s not long before he’ll be co-starring with son Aarav. Is that the plan, AK?

Kat grooves for the King Akki!

Looks like the King of Bollywood can’t do without his Queen.

We are talking about Akshay Kumar and his lucky mascot Katrina Kaif. After giving a string of hits, the jodi will be seen together once again. Katrina has agreed to shoot for a special number for the Akshay-starrer Blue .

The song will be shot on a whopping Rs 6 crore budget and in Mumbai soon. According to a unit member, “Katrina has agreed to do the song only for Akshay’s sake. She genuinely did not have the dates to accommodate another film. But Akshay considers Katrina to be lucky and the two get along very well. So, the actress agreed.”

We hear Katrina has been rehearsing for the song and will have to do double shifts to complete it. But she doesn’t mind it. And, looks like Akshay could do with a little luck after his dismal opening with CCTC last week.

SRK, Saif and Akshay's LIC secret revealed

Real estate as investment is a thing of the past. We all know of how Bollywood stars are securing their future by purchasing flats and farmhouses around the town and countryside.

Shah Rukh is said to be creating another 'Mannat' in Dubai too.

But here's a recent development we got to know of. As it seems Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are investing heavily in the of Life Insurance Corporation of India!

The government-run insurance company, the largest in the country, came up with a particular scheme that has got all the stars hooked on.

Our source tells us that the scheme ensures a guaranteed rate of returns.

"Moreover, it also carries a risk cover six times the maturity sum assured in the first year. In the subsequent years, it becomes two times the maturity sum because the scheme guarantees a certain percentage of income every year. Now here's the best part – the interest earned on this investment is totally tax-free," says the source.

Clearly our market savvy stars would be fools to let go of such a wonderful scheme to multiply their money. So when their financial advisors came to them with the idea, Shah Rukh, Saif and Akshay promptly jumped at it.

So just how much have these men invested?

If rumours floating in the market are to be believed, Shah Rukh Khan has invested Rs 8 crore. Not to be left behind, Akshay Kumar too invested the same amount as the Khan and Saif Ali Khan is said to have invested Rs 7 crore.

The policy of the stars will mature in 10 years.