The house of love

He plays a jinxed lover in his latest comedy, Housefull, but being surrounded by three lovely women was pure bliss, says its lead actor, Akshay Kumar. In a freewheeling e-mail interview with tabloid! (since Kumar is not a fan of telephone chats, saying he mumbles too much), he spills the beans on his co-stars Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan.

The 43-year-old star also lets us into the secret of how he maintains his position as the highest taxpayer in Bollywood despite a string of flops such as Blue and Kambakkht Ishq in 2009.

In Housefull, you play a lovable but superstitious loser who embraces polygamy to mitigate his bad luck. When it comes to matters of the heart, do you believe in jinxes in real life?

No, I don't believe in being jinxed when it comes to love. Some people may have very bad luck in that aspect of their life — I don't know how or why. But love is one of the strongest emotions and anyone who is brave enough to face it is doomed in some respect and blessed in others, so that's no jinx — that's life.

You romance three lovely ladies in the film. What were your biggest challenges in terms of maintaining a distinct chemistry and camaraderie with each of them?

Working with them was absolute bliss. Here, I was definitely not jinxed. There were times when I felt blessed to have these ladies around me.

The sexy Lara was divine to work with, as always. She is such a lady, but has a great sense of humour.

Deepika was a darling and has grown tremendously since Chandni Chowk to China. And Jiah, bless her, was tortured practically every day by me, thanks to my pranks. But she's such a sport and I respect her for that.

It was a real pleasure, so the chemistry comes naturally since you are enjoying your work with them.

How difficult was it to tackle the comedy?

When it comes to comedy in this film, director Sajid Khan and I clicked instantly. The comic scenes in this film were challenging, as he wanted me to play a different kind of a funnyman. Also, when you genuinely find the script hilarious it is easy to portray it on screen. The problem begins when you don't find a scene funny and then it's harder to pull off.

You have been touted as Bollywood's highest taxpayer this year. How would you react to this distinction and would you consider lowering your rate?

I'm the highest taxpayer because I do the most work in Bollywood, not because I charge a lot. For my last three or four films, I haven't taken a penny for shooting the film.

Also, as a co-producer, I have not taken any wages. I'm just waiting for my films to release and I shall only earn whatever my movie makes. This ensures that the producers don't have to suffer financially if the films don't work out.

I'd call that charity, wouldn't you?!

Looking back, did you ever think you would reach such a top position in Bollywood?

Stardom is not what it is cracked up to be. After 20 years in this industry, I still work very hard and I have never taken anything for granted. I take every opportunity I get very seriously and work super hard for my directors and producers. Actors are nothing without them.

Opportunities can come at the most unexpected time. But frankly, I never expected to be where I am, but I also know that this "life" won't last forever.

Lara Dutta lists you as her No 1 role model. What makes you such role model material?

Bless her, only Lara can stun me with her words. The thought that I am a role model for one of the most talented actresses in Bollywood. Wow! But I think it's only people who have worked with me and who have seen my hard work, my regime, my honesty towards people and my acting who sit back and say: "I've never met a more dedicated man." So when I hear those words I'm flattered.

But I also know my way is the purest way of survival for me. People tend to like me because I'm honest and I don't hurt people deliberately. Nor do I stop until my job is done. Therefore, it's safe to assume that many people wish to live like me in that respect.

Housefull is an important film — especially in terms of box-office success. What makes the film different from the usual run-of-the-mill romantic comedies?

I have never played such a role in my career. Arush is innocent, real and unlucky. I am like any other brick in the wall, except I am the brick that falls off the wall.

What I loved about my role was that it was simple. I didn't have to try hard to play an unfortunate loser.

2009 was a challenging year for you in terms of that elusive box-office hit. Do you think Housefull will turn the tide for you?

One can only pray. I can only concentrate on hard work and the rest is pure bonus.

Right now, I just make sure that I look after my loved ones before my own needs. They are the ones who keep me alive through the circus of being famous. At the end of the day, I need them around me more than anything else.

If you were to peddle Housefull to a non-Indian, how would you do it?

I think it wouldn't be difficult, as Housefull appeals to the masses worldwide. That's what I love about Sajid's work — he always considers everybody in the family before he makes a film.

Kids will love it (I have proof of that already). If you want to just enjoy yourselves at the theatre, then this movie will welcome you with open arms.

Housefull can even make the Queen of England laugh — you'll see what I mean when you see the movie.

So, see you at the theatres. Book soon, because it could be Housefull.

Comedy was ‘difficult’ for Deepika

Bollywood A-lister Deepika Padukone is hoping that her latest comedy with Akshay Kumar, Housefull, will offset their box-office disaster Chandni Chowk To China. The big-budget action thriller was panned universally and was a black dot on her sterling box-office record filled with hits like Om Shanti Om and Bachna Ae Haseeno.

"Akshay and I have spoken about it, and we are both praying that Housefull will do very well at the box-office. As an actor, I want every one of my movies to be enjoyed by the masses. Also, this is the first time I am attempting comedy, so I hope it does even better than my existing films," Padukone told tabloid!

She also confesses that comedy was one of the toughest genres to master. "When it comes to comedy, an actor needs to be extremely spontaneous and very alert. It is not just about the lines, you need to understand the humour. It is difficult, especially when you need to say dialogues that are really funny and you need to keep a straight face."

But having a supporting ensemble cast comprising Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan helped, she says. "To everybody's disappointment, there were no rivalries. We got along just fine and helped each other out."

— M.R

Akshay on his lovely ladies

Deepika Padukone: "She is very smart for her age."

Jiah Khan: "She is so very innocent and gullible. It's so much fun pulling her leg.

Lara Dutta: "A classy lady in more ways than one."