Aspiring Bollywood heroes have a new benchmark — the incredibly fit Akshay Kumar. What’s more, these days he has emerged into a style icon as well.

Currently, there are five super stars in Bollywood. Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar,” says director Sajid Khan who directed Kumar in Heyy Babyy last year. “The first four have been superstars since their first movie. It took Akshay 14 years to join the superstar club.” There’s no doubt about it now — Akshay Kumar has indeed arrived.
Kumar was all over the box office last year and also, very nearly stole the show from dapper hosts and superstars Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan at the Filmfare awards ceremony. His bad rendition of Hare Ram, from one of his 2007 hits, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, might have gone you unappreciated but the audience eagerly lapped up his callisthenics, most of which were straight out of a Japanese action flick, only without any special effects. Kumar seemed to soar high above the stage and then land with cat-like precision. Other actors in the 40s brigade may have peeled off their shirts to reveal perfectly sculpted abs, but none of them can touch Kumar.
Sajid attributes Kumar’s saleability to his ability to effortlessly look young, muscular and fit. “Akshay is like an icon for health freaks. I am 37 and overweight, but look at Akshay who’s in his 40s. He and Shah Rukh are an inspiration for my weight loss,” says the director who has lost 26 kg and plans to lose five more.
It is obvious that Kumar is ready to reclaim his title as the daredevil action hero this year, with two action flicks Tashan and Singh is Kinng that are ready for release. Kumar admits it is a conscious effort to return to his first love — action. “You know what they say, if in doubt, start at the beginning. I feel I’ve covered many a genre now and I think it’s time I flew back to my nest and do what I do best.”
Kumar says that his is a kind of fitness constantly worked at. “I think I am the way I am because I’ve been physically at it for many years. Remember, I’m Punjabi; so having six pack abs rather than six rolls of flab is more difficult than you think,” he laughs.
The actor credits his amazing fitness levels to a new form of training called Parkour. You might have seen him at it in the previous Thums Up commercial where he displays his skills, flying from walls, jumping from great heights and from one moving vehicle to another to claim his object of affection — a bottle of the fizzy drink.

“If in doubt, start at the beginning. I feel I’ve covered many a genre now and I think it’s time I flew back to my nest and do what I do best”

Parkour is in fact an activity with the aim of, according to Wikipedia, “moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment — from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls — and can be practised in both rural and urban areas.”
Kumar even has a Parkour coach called Jennifer. While she isn’t allowed to speak to the media, the actor elaborates on her role. “I have a sadistic coach who, however tired I might be, still insists that I should work out. Training is never ending. Jenny can make you feel guilty for eating the wrong end of a carrot.”
Parkour might be an exacting and often, dangerous sport, but it is Kumar’s favourite way of training. “Who wants to lift a bar when you can swing on it? Parkour is the truest, most earthy and urban way to train,” says Kumar, “But these days most rich guys barely pump the gas in their cars, let alone pump iron in the gym. I totally recommend jumping around; it’s fun and environment-friendly.”
Kumar is known to test the boundaries when it comes to action. In his upcoming release Singh is Kinng, he has jumped from one moving elevator to another, and will also be seen in an underwater action sequence with him bound in chains in Chandni Chowk to China Gate. And he’s one guy who’ll never use a body double. “Your director doesn’t normally give you time to get scared, but I can tell you there’s nothing better than telling your grandchildren that you did it all those stunts yourself.”
Over the last year or two, Kumar has also emerged as a style icon. “I remember when people used to ask: “Do you have bad credit or just bad taste? I used to reply — both. If I had a choice it would be to eat, sleep, work and train in a pair of basketball shorts. However, others may not describe that look as stylish. I mainly love to wear what most other men would probably look gay in. I tend to pull it off well.”
Designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, who happens to be one of Kumar’s favourite designers, points out that Kumar is well aware of fashion and trends and what makes him different is that he does not play safe and is always open to exploring new looks. “He explores different roles and characters and at the same time, he also keeps reinventing himself.”

If I had a choice it would be to eat, sleep, work and train in a pair of shorts. However, others may not describe that look as stylish

The actor dismisses the newly acquired title in his own inimitable style. “Well, if you saw my wardrobe you’d think it was owned by a group of multiple personality cases. I love to hang in Diesel jeans and Shanghai Tang shirts,” says Kumar who points out that he is not a trends person.
“If it’s a trend then every Tom, Dick and twit will be wearing it too. When it comes to fashion, do what you want, not what some rich guy in leather pants in Paris is asking you to do,” says the actor, “If I can’t wait for next season’s clothes I go ahead without them. I experiment all the time, you win some, you lose some. Even Einstein’s experiments failed sometimes, but most of the time I pull it off, literally. Or someone pulls them off for me.”
The actor, whose hits last year also included Namastey London, Heyy Babyy and Welcome, has also become a hit because of his humility. “Akshay is a great co-star and a good human being as well. It’s always fun working with him,” says Katrina Kaif, who starred with him in Namastey London.
According to Sajid, an Akshay Kumar movie is more likely to be a hit than any other stars. “He is always on time and that ensures the movies are completed on schedule. Over the past few years, he has also formed a connection with the audience.”
While Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta have made headlines with their investments in IPL, Kumar has decided to sponsor five Indian wrestlers and agreed to take care of their financial and basic needs. “There are many singers, children and sportsmen who need help in this country. They would probably take my hand not in help but in support.”
And what does he think of the new lot of youngsters who’ve just got into Bollywood? “Don’t talk to me about newcomers. With their talent, tight pecs and shiny hair, it’s enough to make us old dogs go into early retirement.”

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