Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Akshay Kumar began their career in 1987 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 39 years. With over 150 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.4, Akshay Kumar remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Akshay Kumar's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.
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Biography
Akshay Kumar (born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia) is a Hindi cinema actor who has appeared in over 150 films across action, comedy, and drama genres over a career spanning more than three decades. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Rustom (2016) and received the Padma Shri in 2009; commercially successful films include Rowdy Rathore (2012), Oh My God (2012), Special 26 (2013), and Holiday (2014). He is distinctive for his martial arts background — trained in Muay Thai and holding a black belt in Taekwondo — which he leverages in action roles, while also demonstrating comic timing in films like Housefull (2010) and Khatta Meetha (2010). He was the only Indian actor to appear on the Forbes World's Highest-Paid Actors list in 2019 and 2020.
Iconic Roles
Hera Pheri
A lovable, street-smart yet slightly naive man entangled in a comedic kidnapping-gone-wrong scheme. Considered one of Bollywood's greatest comedy performances and the role that cemented Akshay Kumar as a comedic star.
Special 26
A cunning con-man who leads a fake CBI raiding party to pull off daring heists on corrupt officials and politicians. Based on a real 1987 incident; widely praised as one of Akshay's best performances.
Rowdy Rathore
A dual role — a petty street thug who must impersonate a tough, incorruptible cop to save a child and take down a brutal villain. A mass-masala action entertainer that became a blockbuster.
OMG – Oh My God!
Lord Krishna in human form who helps a skeptic atheist shopkeeper challenge organized religion in court. A philosophical, satirical role showcasing Akshay Kumar's dramatic depth.
Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty
An Indian Army officer on leave who uncovers and dismantles a sleeper terrorist cell operating within India. A patriotic action thriller role that revived Akshay Kumar's superstar status.
Defining Moments
Babu Bhaiya's telephone scene — the absurd, deadpan negotiation with kidnappers over the ransom call
Arguably the most iconic comedy performance of his career. The scene became a permanent fixture in Indian internet culture and meme history, cementing his status as Bollywood's greatest comedy actor.
Kanjibhai's courtroom monologue addressing God directly — dismantling religious hypocrisy with sharp wit and logic
A bold, satirical role playing God/Krishna in human form. The film tackled religious commercialization; Akshay's charismatic, layered performance made it one of his most discussed roles and a commercial and critical hit.
View film →Shiva's dual-role action introduction — the raw, high-energy entry sequence establishing both characters' contrasting personas
Marked his return to massy masala action after years of varied roles. The film was a blockbuster and re-established his pull as a commercial action star with mainstream audiences.
View film →The climactic heist reveal in the Income Tax office — Ajay Singh calmly walks out after orchestrating an elaborate fake CBI raid, outwitting the real authorities
Defined Akshay Kumar's shift to intelligent, understated roles. His cool-headed confidence in the con sequences became a benchmark for Bollywood heist cinema and showcased his dramatic range beyond action and comedy.
View film →Ranjit Singh organizing the evacuation convoy — rallying 170,000 stranded Indians in Kuwait and negotiating their escape against impossible odds
Widely cited as his finest dramatic performance. The film is based on the largest civilian evacuation in history; his understated, emotionally restrained portrayal earned widespread critical acclaim and proved his credibility as a serious actor.
Akshay Kumar by the Numbers
If you watched every Akshay Kumar film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 14 days and 9h. Most-paired with Paresh Rawal — 10 films together.
Filmography
See all 150 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Akshay Kumar.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Akshay Kumar has worked most frequently with Priyadarshan (5 films), Sajid Khan (3 films), Anees Bazmee (3 films), Nikhil Advani (2 films), and Rajkumar Santoshi (2 films).
Did You Know?
Akshay Kumar was born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia in Amritsar, Punjab.
He worked as a chef and waiter in Bangkok before entering the film industry.
He is a trained martial artist, holding a black belt in Taekwondo.
He is known for his disciplined lifestyle, often waking up at 4 AM and completing film shoots by evening.
He holds Canadian citizenship.
Signature Dialogues
Jo main bolta hoon, woh main karta hoon… jo main nahi bolta, woh main definitely karta hoon!
Shiva / ACP Vikram Rathore·Rowdy Rathore
Sau saal zinda rehne ke liye sau saal ki umar zaroori nahi; sirf ek din mein aisa kaam kar jao, jisse duniya tumhe sau saal tak yaad rakhe.
Shiva / ACP Vikram Rathore·Rowdy Rathore
Aaj meri paghdi bhi kesari… jo bahega mera lahu bhi kesari… aur mera jawab bhi kesari.
Havildar Ishar Singh·Kesari
Tum log parivaar ke saath yahan chain se jeeyo, is liye hum log roz border par marte hain.
Captain Virat Bakshi·Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty
Logon ke pairon mein chakkar hota hai… mere dimaag mein hai.
Ajay Singh·Special 26
Photos
See all →
Family
Spouse
Twinkle Khanna
News & Stories
Actor Rajat Kaul from Heeramandi joins Akshay Kumar Sky Force
24/5/2024
The movie starring Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, and Fardeen Khan, called "Khel Khel Mein," now has a release date.
29/4/2024
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Release Dates Moved to Eid
9/4/2024
Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ Trailer out
27/3/2024
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Teaser Released!
24/1/2024
Legacy & Influence
Akshay Kumar's contribution to Indian cinema is defined by his remarkable versatility, prolific output, and successful navigation of multiple genres over a career spanning three decades. Emerging in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an action hero, often dubbed the 'Khiladi' of Bollywood, he established a distinct identity with a series of successful thrillers and action films that capitalized on his martial arts skills and athleticism. His career trajectory showcases a significant and deliberate evolution. In the late 1990s and 2000s, he successfully transitioned into comedy, delivering iconic performances in films like 'Hera Pheri' (2000), 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' (2007), and 'Welcome' (2007), which cemented his status as a bankable star with impeccable comic timing. This phase demonstrated his ability to connect with mass audiences through humor. A further strategic shift occurred in the 2010s, where Kumar began to prominently headline socially conscious, patriotic, and issue-based films alongside his commercial ventures. Movies like 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' (2017), 'Padman' (2018), 'Kesari' (2019), and 'Airlift' (2016) addressed topics such as sanitation, menstrual hygiene, historical valor, and real-life heroism, blending entertainment with a message. This move not only expanded his filmography but also positioned him as a star who uses his platform for mainstream narratives with social relevance. His influence extends to his legendary work ethic, often cited for completing multiple films in a year and maintaining a disciplined, professional approach to filmmaking. As a producer, he has backed several of his own projects and supported new talent. Kumar's legacy lies in his unique model of stardom—combining consistent commercial success, genre-hopping agility, and a later-career focus on content-driven cinema that aims to both entertain and provoke thought, making him one of the most adaptable and enduring figures in modern Hindi film history.