Gold Rush

Ashwini Deshmukh Meets the Man With the Midas Touch, Akshay Kumar

He has the knack of turning everything he touches to gold. If Akshay Kumar was a salesman he could have sold refrigerators to Eskimos, given the fact that he dares to venture where no man has gone before. Single-handedly, he has changed perceptions about sanitary napkins in the country and has even made toilets appear cool. From action to comedy to patriotic and pressing issues… Akshay’s graph is forever changing, ever evolving. His recent outing is Reema Kagti’s Gold, a historical sports drama inspired by India’s first Olympic gold medal in hockey in 1948. The film is expected to boost the fortunes of hockey for sure. Excerpts from a free-wheeling interview with the player, who aces every game…

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF HOCKEY?

I used to play hockey in school. I remember my father getting me a hockey stick when I was around seven. I used to go to SionKoliwada to practise. I recall dribbling one winter morning with fog all around.

HOCKEY IS OUR NATIONAL SPORT. BUT SOMEHOW IT DOESN’T GET PRESTIGE.

We should not get into the ‘national sports’ discussion. Rather, let’s ask ourselves, ‘Do I play any sport?’ That’s more important. More than Gold being a hockey film, it’s about questioning whether we’re interested in sports. Make sure to inspire your children to take part in at least one sport. We must encourage sports among the youth, without getting into the political debate about which is our national sport.

WHAT MADE YOU TAKE UP GOLD?