I don’t take myself too seriously: Akshay

In 2015, actor Akshay Kumar juggled effortlessly between ‘Airlift’ and ‘Singh Is Bliing’. This year again he joyously juxtaposes the real-life saga ‘Rustom’ with the crazily out of the world ‘Housefull 3’. Akshay reveals why he has to mix the serious with the comic in his career.

You play a split personality in ‘Housefull 3’. Did you read up on split personalities?
It’s just a comedy film. (It is) Not to be taken seriously. We didn’t study the human brain to play the part (smiles). I play a wannabe footballer and I suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in the film. Did I read up on DID?

Did you?
No! My character is not supposed to know he has DID. So why should I? The whole idea in ‘Housefull’ is to make the unbelievable look believable. In ‘Airlift’, the believable has to be made more believable. Comedy ko itna halka mat samajhjiye (Don't take comedy so lightly). I am so grateful to the ‘Housefull’ franchise for allowing me to play so many twisted freaks. I repeat, comedy is not easy to do.

No one takes comedy lightly anymore?
Oh, lots of people do. To me, the ‘Housefull’ franchise is as precious as the ‘Khiladi’ franchise. Action and comedy are what I always enjoyed. I could do these two genres for the rest of my life. ‘Housefull' is neither cheap nor tacky. It’s what I’d call posh comedy. This is comedy not just for the dumb.

Then who else is it for?
It’s for the dumber as well. Got you! Now that the shooting is done I am getting withdrawal symptoms.

‘Housefull 3’ and then ‘Rustom’. They look like two different planets. How do you manage?
Well, I know there is a belief that men can’t multi-task. Whoever believes that he hasn’t met me as yet. But I am not going to pretend it’s easy. I also can’t deny that I enjoy doing both the serious and comic roles. And let me tell you, comedy is also a serious business for me.

Do the serious scripts require more of your attention?
Serious or comic, I don’t take myself too seriously. That attitude helps me enjoy both the genres. I take both the genres equally seriously. But at the end of the day whether it’s ‘Rustom’ or ‘Housefull 3’, it’s all entertainment. I’ve always been an entertainer. Being an actor doesn’t mean you have to take yourself seriously. You just have to flow with the character.

By Subhash K Jha