Akshay Kumar On Minding His Own Business

… That’s what Akshay Kumar learnt in school and follows in life, writes Ashwini Deshmukh

- Ashwini Deshmukh

He’s the only superstar who has the maximum releases each year. His prolificity as an actor matches his profitability at the ticket windows. Akshay Kumar shares a great rapport with the box office. Both never let each other down. If Kesari collected over 150 crores, Mission Mangal skyrocketed to over 193 crores. But his last release, Housefull 4, brought in a bitter-sweet vibe. While it reportedly went on to earn around 180-plus crores in India, it was alleged that the figures were inflated. Critical bashing has never unnerved Akshay. But this time the allegations of fudging data and the two contradictory hashtags trending on Twitter – ‘#Fake Housefull Figures’ and ‘#Paid Negativity on HF4’ – compelled him to react. And react he did it like a true khiladi. Without losing composure. With grace. Because Akshay always has the last laugh. The upcoming Good Newwz will complete his assured quartet of films and presumably end the year on a winning note...

WHILE A SECTION OF THE AUDIENCE ENJOYED HOUSEFULL 4, THE HASHTAG #FAKEHOUSEFULL4NUMBERS WAS TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA. DID THAT BOTHER YOU?

It doesn’t bother me. I haven’t given out these figures na. Fox Star Studios has huge credibility. It’s a corporate based in Los Angeles. They make international films worth millions of dollars. Increasing the figures by a few crores won’t make any difference to them. So, let’s talk sense. When they mention the figures on their own handle, they don’t need to lie about anything. Also, Inox (multiplex chain) has explained the calculations. They won’t lie. They aren’t related to me. The heads of all the theatre chains have spoken. Why would they lie?

DID THE ALLEGATIONS UPSET YOU?