PAPA KEHTE HAIN

Akshaye Khanna got a foothold in the film industry thanks to his father, Vinod Khanna.  Vinod Khanna was one of the most macho, handsome actors of his time.  Now all eyes were fixed on his cute, but rather gentle looking son.  Papa dear gave him his first launch off a home production Himalay Putra directed by Pankaj Parasher.  Vinod Khanna and Hema Malini played his parents in the movie, and he was co-starred with a fresh, cute young girl, Anjala Zaveri.  Despite all the garnishings, the movie flopped.  As is the case in film industry, the hero has to square his chest and bear the blame.

His next was Mohabbat, alongwith none other than the reigning (though ageing) star, Madhuri Dixit.  The movie tried to capitalise on the currently favorite Taz number 'Oh baby, Dont break my heart'.  It was a love triangle with Sanjay Kapoor.  But alas, another dud.

Although he was just one of many in JP Dutta's Border, he stood out for his poignant portrayal of Dharamvir who leaves behind his blind mother and sweetheart in the village to die for his country.  Border was a huge hit, and brought Akshaye a lot of positive feedback.

MIDDLE ORDER

He played mostly romantic roles in movies like Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Kudrat, Love you Hamesha.  The movies were not successful, but Akshaye was.  He was getting a lot of praise for his natural acting.  Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen, co-starred him with Aishwarya Rai and was a prominent release, though it did not do well.

His next prestigious release was Subhash Ghai's Taal.  He had to share credits here with Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai.  Once again, he did not let down the viewers performance wise, the movie was not a big hit.  The songs and dances were very popular though.

FLOWERS AND DAGGERS

Then came the movie that gave Akshaye a star status and much needed repreive from a sluggish trade rating.  Dil Chahta Hai, the classic male bonding movie by Farhan Akhtar showcased Akshaye's talents fully.  He played the introvert artist Sid who loves his troubled neighbour Dimple, an older woman.  It was a complex role but Akshaye made everything look so natural that it was a treat to watch.  Despite being pitted against the fabulous Amir Khan and upcoming Saif, he held his ground and played Sid to perfection. His signature tune in the movie 'kaise hai ye rut ke jisme phool ban ke dil khile' won everyone's heart.  Even the slightly trite Love Storyish ending when Dimple dies in his arms, did not mar his act.

Abbas Mastan's Humraaz had Bobby Deol and Amisha Patel in the lead with Akshaye in a sinister role.  It was one of the best thrillers to come out of bollywood ever.  Akshaye was again, amazing in a negetive role.  The movie was a hit too.

Anees Bazmee's Deewangee was a take on the popular hollywood thriller, Primal Fear.  Akshaye played the attorney here to Ajay Devgan's accused criminal.  With co-stars like Ajay Devgan and Akshaye, sparks flew and the movie was a hit.

COMEDY CIRCUS

Hungama was (what else) a comedy by Priyadarshan.  Now Akshaye had to prove that he could do comedy as well.  The movie had the typical comedy of error situations where everyone had a misconception about the other.  The movie was peppered with all the comic greats like Rajpal Yadav, Tiku Talsania and Paresh Rawal etc.  Akshaye's efforts did not go a waste and the movie was a hit.

Milan Luthra's Deewar was a war flick with Amitabh, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye.  The movie was not a hit.  A minor setback as the blame was distributed largely among the big stars. The man with the midas touch Priyadarshan made Hulchul with Akshaye and Kareena.  Again a comedy and a surefire winner.

Abbas Mastan's 36 China Town was a comedy thriller.  The young lead was Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur, and scores of co-stars.  Akshaye was the cool Chief Inspector Karan who has to solve the mystery of a murder.  The movie was a hit, and everyone agreed that Akshaye was the best thing in the movie.

Shaadi Se Pehle by Satish Kaushik was a cheeky comedy about Ashish (Akshaye) who is about to get married to Ayesha Takia.  But he suddenly has commitment issues and gets entangled with Mallika Sherawat. Despite the oomph angle thrown in by Mallika, the movie was a flop.  His next, Aap Ki Khaatir had a good line up of actors.  Priyanka, Amisha Patel, Suniel Shetty along with Akshaye.  Alas, the movie flopped badly.

Salaam-e-Ishq paired Akshaye again with Ayesha Takia.  The story was again about an engaged couple, where the man starts having commitment issues.  The movie was a flop, alas, but then again, there were six other couple to share the blame with .. Salaam-e-Six, remember !  Naqaab was a critical failure, Akshaye was criticised for his spreading middle.

TIME TO BE SUBLIME

One does not judge a movie like Gandhi my father, on basis of its box office collections.  Such issues are important only for the run of the mill movies.  Anil Kapoor produced the movie under the able direction of Feroze Khan.  The jewel in crown, the centrepeice of this movie is undoubtably Akshaye Khanna who took up the challenging role of a loser, an undeserving son of one of the greatest men of the past century, MK Gandhi. It was a difficult movie, and a difficult role.  Feroze Khan set up an unmatched ambience for the movie, and Akshaye played the reviled Harilal Gandhi with brilliance.

Time and again, Akshaye had proved his mettle.  He could be lambasted for choosing some awful projects though.  By his own admission, he is a laidback person, and lets his career take its own sweet time.  Even in his interviews he shows up as a unopinionated, laidback person who couldnt be bothered to wake up and comment. This insouciance can be endearing too.

GOSSSSSIP

He has dated plenty of women and is as commitment phobic as his character in Salaam-e-Ishq. His latest fling was Tara Sharma.  She left him and is hitched to someone else now.  Before that he dated Avan Contractor who was his hairstylist in Dil Chahta Hai.

He seems equally uncaring about his thinning hair, wearing hair pieces or just a close crop for his film.

He really does need to work on his body and see that he doesnt go the Sanjeev Kumar way.

FILMOGRAPHY

• Shortcut (2007) (announced)
• Tashan (2008) (filming)
• Aaja Nachle (2007) (post-production)
• Gandhi My Father (2007) .... Harilal Gandhi
• Naqaab: Disguised Intentions (2007) .... Vicky
• Salaam E Ishq (2007) .... Shiven Dungarpur
• Aap Ki Khatir (2006) .... Aman Mehra
• Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) .... Ashish Khanna
• 36 China Town (2006) .... Chief Inspector Karan
• Hulchul (2004) .... Jai
• Deewaar (2004) .... Gaurang Kaul
• LOC Kargil (2003) .... Lt. Balwan Singh, 18 Grenadiers
• Hungama (2003) .... Jeetu
• Border-Hindustan-Ka.lkc">Border Hindustan Ka (2003) .... Mobarak
• Deewangee (2002) .... Raj Goyal
• Humraaz (2002) .... Karan Malhotra
• Dil Chahta Hai (2001) .... Siddharth Sinha
• Taal (1999) .... Manav Mehta
• Laawaris (1999) .... Captain Dada/Vijay
• Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) .... Rohan Khanna
• Love You Hamesha (1999) .... Shaurat
• Kudrat (1998) .... Vijay
• Dahek: A Burning Passion (1998) .... Sameer Roshan
• Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998) .... Inderjit Bansal
• Bhai Bhai (1997) (uncredited) .... Dancer (in song "Tera Naam Loonga")
• Border (1997) .... Dharamvir
• Himalay Putra (1997) .... Abhay
• Mohabbat (1997) .... Rohit Malhotra/Tony Braganza