Akshay Kumar recently shared a revealing anecdote about the film industry's less glamorous side, highlighting how success and failure can impact an actor's treatment. In a candid discussion reflecting on his 35 years in Bollywood, Kumar spoke about the fickle nature of fame and the tangible ways it manifests, even down to the size of his room.
Kumar recalled a specific instance early in his career when he experienced this firsthand. He was working on a film with another actor and noticed a stark difference in their accommodations. As Kumar's recent films hadn't performed well, he was assigned a smaller room, while his co-star, fresh off a hit, enjoyed a much larger space. "I still remember walking into his room and thinking: 'Why is my room not so big?' But then I realised it was because my films hadn't worked," Kumar stated.
He explained that room sizes often change based on an actor's recent box-office performance. A successful film could mean a "presidential suite," while a flop might result in a smaller, more "regular room". While this doesn't happen to him now, Kumar experienced it in his early career.
Kumar didn't express bitterness about the situation. Instead, he took it in stride, recognizing it as part of the industry's dynamics. "One needs to take these things in stride and move forward," he said. He also acknowledged that it wasn't all producers who behaved this way. He was grateful to have a room at all, remembering his humble beginnings where he lived with 24 people in a single room in Chandni Chowk.
This experience became a turning point for Kumar, solidifying his understanding of the industry's "what have you done for me lately" culture. He realized the importance of internal validation and self-belief over the external validation of the world.
Despite the initial sting, Kumar used the experience to fuel his comeback. He refined his script selection, embraced a strong work ethic, and diversified his roles. Films like "Khiladi" (1992) helped re-establish him, leading to a successful run in the 90s and 2000s.
Kumar has been open about the ups and downs of his career, including periods of consecutive flops. He estimates he has worked in about 150 films, experiencing both significant success and failure. "I have seen many ups and downs in my life. I have given consecutive flops, sometimes 15–16 in a row, and I have also delivered consecutive hits," Kumar shared.
He admitted that he is affected when his films don't perform well, particularly on the weekends following a release. "I do feel upset on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when my film doesn't do well," he said. However, he doesn't dwell on the disappointment. "But on Monday, I start afresh. I begin preparing for my new film. You have to take it in your stride and move forward," he explained. His wife and children also understand and support him during these times, giving him space to process.
Akshay Kumar's story serves as a reminder that success isn't about avoiding failure, but about how you respond to it. The smaller room wasn't a dead end but a signpost that guided him toward a more resilient and self-reliant path. He is currently enjoying the success of his latest film, "Jolly LLB 3".
