Born September 9, 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab, India

Birth Name Rajiv Hari Om-Bhatia

Nicknames Akki

Mac

Khiladi

Khiladi Kumar

Height 5' 10" (1.78 m)

Akshay Kumar, born September 9, 1967, is an actor. He studied martial arts in Hong Kong. It was a student that suggested that he try modeling. Because of his success as model, he was offered films. Along with his good looks and excellent martial art skills, he was always the first choice to do adventurous movies. He does his own stunts in his films. His breakthrough performance was in Oath (1991). He was well known for his Khiladi series, an Indian version of James Bond, such as Mr. Bond (1992), Player (1992), Me, The Player, You, The Unskilled (1994), Mr. & Mrs. Player (1997) and Player 420 (2000). He dated strings of his co-stars including Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Pooja Batra and Rekha. His recent critically acclaimed performances include Airlift (2016), Baby (2015) and Rustom (2016).

A long road traveled; from a waiter in Bangkok, to the most successful actor in Bollywood, Akshay Kumar has come a long way. As an instructor in martial artist, Rajiv Bhatia always dreamed of making it big in that field but when a student suggested that with his good looks and a good built, he should take up modeling, the anonymous Rajiv Bhatia began his journey as Akshay Kumar who then slowly but surely worked his way up to becoming one of the most talented stars of the industry. Stunned at the pay package and his success as a model, Akshay took the next obvious step, and entered into films. However unlike most of the other stars in his time, Akshay neither had star parents, nor a godfather to launch him. Although his first few films were unsuccessful at the box office, they helped Akshay get noticed for his dancing abilities and his dare-devilish stunts. His first true hit film was Player (1992) and although it was a success, the top banners continued to be elusive until Yeh Dillagi (1994) which not only got him recognition but marked his position as a top league actor. Though Jai Kishen (1994) and Me, The Player, You, The Unskilled (1994) were quite successful at the box office, it was Mohra (1994) and The Biggest Player (1995) that it catapulted Akshay to fame and established his position as one of the top most heroes of the industry. With a series of 'Khiladi' movies including the "Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi', Akshay became the quintessential "action hero'. But with 'Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi', 'Dil To Pagal Hai' and 'Aflatoon', he attempted new genres in order to change his stereotypical image, and he was quite successful at it. Another attempt at a new role with 'Ajnabee', where he played the villain, was again well portrayed and well received by audiences and critics alike. 'Dhadkan', where he starred opposite Shilpa Shetty reaffirmed the fact that aside from being an action hero, Akshay Kumar was also the perfect romantic lead. In the same year came another memorable performance with the film "Hera Pheri' which brought to the forefront his strength in comedy and superb timing as he held his ground with the seasoned Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty. Akshay Kumar continued to improve with every film, from "Khakee, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', "Aitraaz, Waqt', 'Awara Pagaal Deewana', "Garam Masala' to the recently released "Phir Hera Phiri' proved that Akshay was a sure-fire hit at the box-office as well. Today he is one of the most sought after actors who commands a strong box-office opening. His forthcoming films include Jaaneman, Saamna, London Namaste and Welcome.

Spouse (1)

Twinkle Khanna (14 January 2001 - present) ( 2 children)

Trade Mark (3)

Performs his own stunta

Heavy, yet raspy voice

6 ft tall

Trivia (66)

Was a martial arts teacher. One of his students suggested he model and he was soon offered films after his success as a model.

Has a son with wife Twinkle Khanna named Araav born 15th September 2002. Became an uncle when sister-in-law Rinke Khanna gave birth to a baby girl on 19 October 2004.

Won Best Villain award for Ajnabee (2001) as it was his first ever award since his career started in 1991.

He is the son-in-law of India and Hindi Film Industry's first ever Superstar, Rajesh Khanna and actress, Dimple Kapadia, as well as the brother-in-law of actress Rinke Khanna.

Was working as a chef in a restaurant in Bangkok before entering films.

Studied martial arts in Bangkok before becoming an actor.

Formed a popular team with Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal.

He is good friends with fellow actor & superstar, Salman Khan. They have done two films together, Will You Marry Me? (2004) and Sweetheart (2006).

Has formed a popular on-screen pairing with Katrina Kaif after super hits such as Welcome (2007), Namastey London (2007) and Singh Is King (2008) together.

Started production company named 'Grazing Goats Production' to promote 'different' Hindi movies and support Regional cinema.

......................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................