Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, whose portfolio boasts hit comedies such as Hera Pheri, Welcome and Singh is Kinng, says comedy actors do not get their due in the film industry.
“I love comedy. It is a difficult genre to do, but unfortunately [a] comic hero doesn’t get his due in this industry because we look down on it,” the actor said.
“Unless you do romance and tragedy, you don’t get best actor award. If you are making people laugh, it looks like buffoonery. It’s very sad that this happens,” he said.
“Long back Amitabh Bachchan sir did comedy in Desh Premi. He used to do hero’s role as well as the comedy. Even Kishore Kumar sir used to do it. There are very a few people who did it and so I just followed it,” he said.
However, 48-year-old actor added, he is happy to see comedians getting a lot of work in movies and on television now. “They [comedians] have a lot of work, there are 180 films made every year. there are a lot of TV shows happening and there is comedy in ads nowadays.”
Kumar will next be seen in Singh is Bliing, which also stars Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon.
The Baby star was keen on having Dutta in the movie. They have worked together in Andaz, Housefull, Bhaagam Bhaag and others.
“I requested her to come and be a part of our film. The whole story is that Amy Jackson does not know how to speak Hindi and I don’t know how to speak English and our romance starts, but there is [a] communication gap.”
Praising Jackson, Kumar said: “She is one of the best fighters that I have come across as a heroine, and she is beautiful.”
For Singh is Bliing, Kumar shot with a lion. “I shot with a lion and that is the biggest stunt [in the movie]. I am not fighting with him. he is just sitting behind my car, he has got a huge face,” he said.
“The lion’s name is Mufasa, [he is] a full-grown lion. He is very loving but you are taking a risk sitting with him,” he added.
The film, directed by Prabhudheva, is set to release on October 2.
