Akshay Kumar

	Akshay Kumar
Birth name	Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia
Born	9 September 1967, Delhi, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actor, Film producer
Years active	1991–present
Spouse	Twinkle Khanna (m. 2001)
Children	2
Honours	Padma Shri (2009)

Akshay Hari Om Bhatia (born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia; 9 September 1967), widely known as Akshay Kumar, is an Indian actor and film producer active in Hindi cinema. Recognised for his longevity and versatility, he has appeared in over 150 films across genres including action, comedy, drama, romance, and socially themed cinema. He has received two National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare Awards, and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2009.

Nicknamed "Khiladi Kumar" following the success of the Khiladi film series, he initially gained prominence as an action star known for performing many of his own stunts. Over time, he expanded his repertoire to include commercially successful comedies and issue-based films, becoming one of the most bankable actors in India.

Early life

Kumar was born in Delhi into a Punjabi family. His father had served in the Indian Army before transitioning to civilian work. He spent his early years in Chandni Chowk and later moved to Mumbai.

He studied at Don Bosco High School, Matunga and enrolled at Guru Nanak Khalsa College, which he left to pursue martial arts training in Bangkok. While in Thailand, he trained in Muay Thai and worked in the hospitality industry. After returning to India, he worked as a martial arts instructor before entering modelling and subsequently the film industry. His screen name was inspired by a character in the film Aaj (1987).

Acting career

Establishment as an action hero (1991–1999)

Kumar debuted with Saugandh (1991). His breakthrough came with Khiladi (1992), which laid the foundation for a successful action-oriented career. He went on to star in films such as Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996). His performance in Yeh Dillagi (1994) demonstrated his ability to handle romantic roles as well.

Expansion into comedy and mainstream cinema (2000–2011)

The comedy Hera Pheri (2000) marked a turning point, significantly enhancing his popularity. He received acclaim for performances in Ajnabee (2001) and Garam Masala (2005). In 2007, he delivered several successful films, including Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome.

Socially themed and patriotic films (2012–2021)

From the early 2010s, Kumar increasingly chose scripts centred on social issues and national themes. He earned the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Rustom (2016). Other notable projects include Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), and Pad Man (2018). In 2019, he featured in commercially successful films such as Mission Mangal and Good Newwz.

Recent work (2022–present)

During the post-pandemic phase, some of his films such as Samrat Prithviraj (2022) and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) received mixed commercial responses, while OMG 2 (2023) performed successfully.

Television

In addition to films, Kumar has hosted reality television shows including Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and MasterChef India.

Philanthropy

He has supported various charitable causes, including initiatives connected with the armed forces through the Bharat Ke Veer platform and financial contributions to the PM CARES Fund. He has also participated in campaigns promoting sanitation, health awareness, and disaster relief.

Personal life

Akshay Kumar married actress Twinkle Khanna in 2001. The couple has two children. Known for his disciplined routine, he maintains a strict fitness regimen and is noted for his early work schedule.

He held Canadian citizenship between 2011 and 2023 before regaining Indian citizenship.

External links

[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0474774/

Akshay Kumar on IMDb]

[https://www.instagram.com/akshaykumar/

Akshay Kumar on Instagram]