Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar Courts Controversy With 'Singh is Bliing'

With more than 130 films under his belt, an enormous fanbase, and a wealth of cinema records and accomplishments, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is at a point in his career where he doesn’t need to take risks to attract the spotlight of national attention. But with his latest film, the action comedy Singh is Bliing, Kumar and his filmmaker colleagues attracted a great deal of unwanted attention from India’s film Censor Board and from the country’s religious community. Sikh organization leaders had taken issue with several scenes they considered offensive, and it was only after a few cuts were made that the film was cleared with a ‘U/A’ certificate for its October 2^nd national release.
The film, about a turban-wearing Punjabi named Raftaar Singh who falls in love with a foreign woman (played by British beauty Amy Jackson) despite not being able to speak her language, originally contained images that sparked controversy in India’s religious circles.  According to sources close to the picture, there were two scenes  to which Sikh organizations objected and which the censor board decided to delete from the film. One scene had Akshay Kumar using his holy kadaa (iron bangle) as a weapon and the other scene shows Kumar’s turban catching fire. 
To his credit, Akshay Kumar handled the issue adroitly, calling leaders of various Sikh organizations from Punjab and Delhi to Mumbai for a private screening of Singh Is Bliing to discuss their concerns. A source said, “Rather than face protests a week before release Akshay wisely decided to take Sikh organizations into confidence now himself.”

Coincidentally and rather curiously, Kumar faced similar controversy with his 2008 action-comedy Singh is Kinng, which, despite the similar title, genre, and identically named lead character, is in no way related to Singh is Bliing. According to a report in India Today, Akshay said, “I’ve taken care of all things that I had not done duringSingh is Kinng. I don’t want to show anything that would hurt the Sikh community or any other Indian community, like they were during Singh is Kinng. I had said ‘sorry’ then as well. This time, I had one person from the committee keep a check on the movie.”

For those not familiar, Akshay Kumar is one of Bollywood’s most popular movie stars, and one of just four Indians on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list. In 2013, numerous Indian media outlets reported that the net box-office collections of Kumar’s films had crossed 20 billion rupees (US$300 million) and he was the first and the only Bollywood actor to achieve this feat. With a reported income of $32.5 million in 2014, the former chef ranked below his fellow film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, and a few notches above cricket immortal MS Dhoni on the Forbes list.

Source:http://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2015/09/30/bollywood-superstar-akshay-kumar-courts-controversy-with-singh-is-bliing/

When a lion scared off 'Khiladi' Akshay Kumar

When we met Akshay Kumar at SINGH IS BLIING promotions, we couldn't resist asking him if he is trying a new stunt in SINGH IS BLIING too. To this Akshay Kumar replied, “Yeah, I've shot with a lion. I'm not fighting with him, but he is sitting in my car just behind me.”

Akshay then narrated an incident that happened with him. He said, “You won't believe this incident which happened - the lion saw his own reflection on the windscreen and thought there was another lion. He got angry and hit the windscreen. The windscreen went flying and I ran away from him. A person there tried to convince me saying, ‘You are the Khiladi' and I said,‘Khiladi Gaya Tel Lene' (To hell with Khiladi). A person from the crew then said, ‘He won't harm you' and I said ‘Main Jaa Hi Nahi Raha Uske Paas. Paagal Hai Woh. Maar Vaar Dega Kisi Ko. Film Ki Beginning Mein Meri Photo Aayegi Ki Bhaisaab Gaye The Sher Ke Saath Kaam Karne.' (I'm absolutely not going to him. He's mad, will kill someone. My photo will come in the film's beginning claiming that I expired while working with a lion).”

 

Akshay later showed the media a very cute photo with ‘Nafasa' (the good-looking lion) and even believed that we would fall in love with the lion (which was somewhat true).

“He's a fully-grown lion, very lovable. But you are taking a risk sitting with him. Anytime, usko Zara Mood Nahi Kiya Aise Bhi Haath Kar Lega (if he's not in mood and will swing his paw) and you're gone,” added Akshay.

We're just glad that ‘Khiladi' Akshay Kumar took up the challenge and finally completed his shot with the lion. Maybe that's what a good actor is like…

Source:http://www.glamsham.com/movies/news/15/sep/when-a-lion-scared-off-khiladi-akshay-kumar.asp

Singh Is Bliing: Akshay Kumar Goes Quirky In Dil Kare Chu Che Song

After the two mind blowing tracks Mahi Aaja and Tung Tung Baje, ‘Singh Is Bliing’ is again setting its peppy record high with its new song Dil Kare Chu Che. The just released song featuresAkshay Kumar, Amy Jackson and Lara Dutta at their funny best.

The fun loving and crazy number Dil Kare Chu Che sees Akshay Kumar in his staple entertaining mode wearing weird combinations of attires. The actor is surely unbelievable when it comes to dancing funnily. Akshay Kumar who will be seen playing the role of Raftaar Singh in the movie is seen wearing his signature turban in the song too. Dancing crazily, the Khiladi of Bollywood is seen expressing his love to Amy Jackson’s character.

Gorgeous actress Amy Jackson is seen prim and proper in the song while talented diva Lara Dutta also joins in Akshay Kumar with the madness. Lara is seen translating the song to Amy as she plays the role of a translator in the movie. Lara is not only joining Akshay Kumar in the maddening way but is also seen wearing colorful attires shedding her stylish image.

The song is a peppy number shot in the beautiful location of Goa. With a backdrop of the beaches the three actors are seen at their candid best. More than romance the song is best with its comic timings and is hilarious to the core. Dil Kare Chu Che is crooned by Meet Bros, Feat. Labh Janjua and Apeksha Dandekar.

Directed by Prabhudeva, ‘Singh Is Bliing’ is a family entertainer which will see Akshay Kumar in the Punjabi puttar avatar. The hilarious comedy flick is all set to hit the screens on October 2nd, 2015.

Source:https://businessofcinema.com/bollywood_news/singh-is-bliing-akshay-kumar-goes-quirky-in-dil-kare-chu-che-song/234849

Akshay Kumar Loves Comedy But Says it Won't Fetch a Best Actor Award

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar said that comedy stars do not get their due in the film industry.

"I love comedy. It is a difficult genre to do but unfortunately a comic hero doesn't get his due in this industry because we look down upon it. Unless you do romance and tragedy, you don't get the best actor award. If you are making people laugh, it looks like buffoonery. It's very sad that this happens," said Akshay.

"Long back Amitabh Bachchan sir did a comic role in Desh Premi. He used to play a hero as well as do comic roles. Even Kishore Kumar sir used to do it. There are very few people who did it and so I just followed it," added Akshay.

Akshay also said that comedians get a lot of work these days. "They (comedians) have a lot of work. 180 films are made every year. There are a lot of TV shows happening and there is comedy in ads nowadays," said Akshay.

Akshay will soon be seen in Singh is Bliing, which also features Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon.

Regarding his co-star Lara, Akshay said: "I requested her (Lara) to be a part of our film. The whole story is that Amy Jackson does not know how to speak Hindi and I don't know how to speak English and our romance starts but there is a communication gap."

The Baby star also said that Amy is beautiful. "She is one of the best fighters that I have come across as a heroine, and she is beautiful."

For Singh is Bliing, Akshay shot with a lion. "I shot with a lion and that is the biggest stunt. I am not fighting with him. He is just sitting behind my car and has got a huge face. The lion's name is Mufasa, a full grown lion. He is very loving but you are taking a risk by sitting with him," said Akshay. 

Directed by Prabhu Deva, Singh is Bliing is scheduled to release on October 2.

Source:http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-loves-comedy-but-says-it-wont-fetch-a-best-actor-award-1220287

Singh Is Bliing: Watch Akshay Kumar as a rapper in this foot-tapping song

Akshay Kumar has turned rapper for his upcoming film Singh Is Bliing. The actor is seen rapping and tapping his feet with singer Badshah. The song has been titled Singh Is Bliing Rap. Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to share this groovy number.

This rap song is composed and mixed by Bharatt-Saurabh and has been sung by Badshah. Dressed in an indo-western outfit, Akshay Kumar is seen doing some Bhangra steps. The actor has been choreographed by Bosco Martis. 

This is yet again a foot-tapping number like the other songs from Singh Is Bliing. Apart from Akshay Kumar, the film stars Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon in pivotal roles. Directed by Prabhudheva, Singh Is Bliing is slated to release on October 2 this year.

Source:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/singh-is-bliing-watch-akshay-kumar-as-a-rapper-in-this-foot-tapping-song/1/477520.html

After Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar Donates 90 Lakhs To Maharashtra Farmers

According to the Times of India, nearly 90 lakh farmers’ lives were devastated because of the recent drought in Maharashtra. The official crop, the Kharif crop, was destroyed completely.
The drought occurred because of inadequate monsoons in the Maharashtra area.
It has obviously rendered the farmers distressed.

Each farmer would be getting Rs 50,000/-

For the coming 6 months, around 30 farmers will get Rs 50,000/- each.
This magnificent step was initiated by Beed district’s IG Vishwas Nangre Patil, and Akshay Kumar’s representative Vedant Bali.
Isn’t this superb? Celebrities roping in to help is always magnificent. Hope it helps the distressed farmers in the best way.
News Source: Zee News

Source:http://www.storypick.com/akshay-kumar-donating-90-lakhs/

Akshay Kumar gets ignored by Twinkle Khanna's fan

Actor Akshay Kumar says he got ignored by a fan, who wanted an autograph of his actor-turned-writer wife Twinkle Khanna for her debut book 'Mrs Funnybones: She's Just Like You and a Lot Like Me'. But he's proud of it!

The 'Namastey London' actor took to Twitter, where he shared a photograph of himself and his wife sitting in a book store. In the image, Akshay is seen sitting on a sofa and his wife Twinkle is seen signing a copy of her bestseller for a fan.

The 'Namastey London' actor took to Twitter, where he shared a photograph of himself and his wife sitting in a book store.

"Ignored by a fan who wanted an autograph of @mrsfunnybones...happens when your wife is a bestselling author! #proud," Akshay tweeted on Monday.

Sharing the same image, Twinkle quipped: "Where the big star happily looks on at the little one that twinkles - sorry reposted - couldn't resist the poor pun :)"

Twinkle had launched her book on August 18 at an event here. The duo, who got married in 2001, are proud parents of two children, Aarav and Nitara.

Akshay, meanwhile, will next be seen in 'Singh Is Bliing', which also features Kay Kay Menon and Lara Dutta. The film is slated to release on October 2.

Source:http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/akshay-kumar-gets-ignored-by-twinkle-khannas-fan-1097669.html

When Akshay Kumar felt 'ignored' by a fan

Twinkle, 40, recently launched her book "Mrs Funnybones", which has been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans.

A proud husband, Akshay took to Twitter to share a picture of him looking at Twinkle, who is signing the book for a fan.

"Ignored by a fan who wanted an autograph of @mrsfunnybones...happens when your wife is a bestselling author! #proud" the 48-year-old "Baby" actor captioned the picture.

Source:http://www.abplive.in/movies/2015/09/14/article713784.ece/When-Akshay-Kumar-felt-ignored-by-a-fan

Zee Studios to co-produce Akshay Kumar’s ‘Rustom’ with Neeraj Pandey

Zee Studios will be co-producing the Akshay Kumar starred Rustom along Neeraj Pandey & Shital Bhatia’s Friday Filmworks and KriArj Entertainment, which is slated to release worldwide on 12 August, 2016.

Inspired by real life incidents, the film is written by Vipul Rawal and also marks the directorial debut of Tinu Suresh Desai.

Pandey will also pen the dialogues of the film, co-write the screenplay with Rawal as well as contribute towards the film’s edit.

Apart from Kumar, the film will also star two actresses. However, their names have not yet been finalised.

After Special 26 and Baby, the romantic thriller Rustom will be the third project in which Akshay Kumar and Pandey’s Friday Filmworks have teamed up.

Kumar said, “Having worked with Neeraj on two fabulous projects, I am excited to start work on our new film. I am happy that Zees Studios is putting its might behind this film along with KriArj Entertainment and Friday Filmworks. It gives me and the entire team confidence of this launched worldwide using the global might of Zee.”

Pandey added, “When Tinu narrated Rustom to us, we immediately got hooked to the quality of the narrative and its potential and instantly decided that it was something that we would like to produce. We also really felt that given the nature of the story, Akshay would be the perfect fit and him agreeing to come on board will definitely give it the canvas it requires.”

Friday Filmworks producer Shital Bhatia said, “One of the other key elements that was central to our plan while green lighting this film was that to do justice to the story it would need to be an international film traversing multiple countries and for that we would definitely require good partners. To that extent when both Zee Studios and KriArj Entertainment saw the same potential in the story as us and readily agreed to co-produce this film along with Friday Filmworks, it just further vindicated our belief in this project.”

Zee Studios CEO Nittin Keni said, “We are delighted to partner with Akshay Kumar, country's leading icon, Neeraj Pandey and KriArj Entertainment on Rustom. For us at Zee, this is another key milestone for Zee's aggressive foray into Bollywood.”

KriArj Entertainment producer Arjun N Kapoor added, “It is a momentous occasion to unveil our association with one of the most prolific entertainers of Hindi film industry, Akshay Kumar and the much recognised film-maker, Neeraj Pandey. With such a great beginning, we are sure this splendid team is headed to create some magic on the big screen.”

The first shooting schedule of Rustom commences by mid-December. The film will travel to multiple locations globally in the course of its production.

Source:http://www.indiantelevision.com/movies/hindi/zee-studios-to-co-produce-akshay-kumar-s-rustom-with-neeraj-pandey-150911

Akshay Kumar's next with Anees Bazmee!

Anees Bazmee has directed Akshay Kumar in the much successful Welcome in 2008. Ever since then, the two have shared a comfortable relationship. In an interview with a news portal recently, Anees also confirmed that he did not even approach Akki for Welcome Back and John Abraham is not his replacement. The director also revealed that he's planning another film keeping the Khiladi in mind. 

Anees whose Welcome Back has just hit the screens already has the script of No Entry Mein Entry in place. But given that Salman Khan is busy with multiple projects at the moment, the actor is unable to schedule any dates for the director. Hence, Anees has decided to move ahead with another film he's planning. Anees also revealed to the portal that he's keeping Akshay in mind. He also added that he and Akki are close friends and they have already spoken about the project which he's now busy scripting. So, in all case, Salman's film will happen only later. 

Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-akshay-kumar-s-next-with-anees-bazmee-2121823