Akshay Kumar

The gorgeous Akshay Kumar, is a talented British-Indian actor best known for his roles in films “Legacy” and “unlocked” as well as Tv series “Homeland”. With aspirations to write and direct he is currently developing and co writing a TV series that we simply cannot wait for! Blowout Magazines catches up with him to find out more.

What made you go into acting?

Well I started off pursuing a career as a dancer before acting kinda snuck up on me and slapped me square in the face. I’m pretty sure I was no older than 15 - around the time I had my first experience of doing Shakespeare on stage - when I realised acting was what I really wanted. But yeah, I still do love to dance, mostly at clubs and weddings now…. 

You share your name with a big Bollywood actor, has there been any funny confusion? 

Haha! Yeah, that’s always a good conversation starter. It used to bother me early on in my career, but now it just makes me chuckle. Airport security always seem to get a good kick out of it, so it comes in handy! 

What’s the first thing you did when lockdown was lifted?

I didn’t really have a list of things I wanted to do post-lockdown (other than get back on set), but I’m pretty sure the first “major” thing I did was hit up the local Nando’s. God, did I miss Nando’s! 

What is the one item you realised you simply cannot live without?

Sounds ridiculous, but I’d have to say sunglasses. I know, I know, we live in England where its only sunny for like 4 weeks of the year! But hey, ya never know.

Name one thing that has kept you sane the last 12 months?

Probably writing. It’s become much more useful and meaningful to me than before, where it was just something I did a bit of when I felt like it. When you have so much more time on your hands than you’re used to, it’s crazy what sort of stories your mind comes up with! 

If you had to pick, what’s the first place you would travel to when we are back to ‘normal’?

I love Cape Town, South Africa. I miss the mountain! So whenever it becomes absolutely safe to do so, that’s probably where you’ll find me. 

Most interesting thing you have read or seen lately?

A friend of mind handed me “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, which is about creating new habits and breaking old ones. It’s a really, really interesting and practical read. Man, I wish I’d read it in 2020! 

What is your favourite memory and why?

Oh, gosh. The birth of my niece was huge. Being handed the title of “Uncle” was a big deal for me, and I take it very seriously. I’ve learned so much just by watching her grow up. 

What is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for?

Smashing through some glass ceilings! 

Who is your inspiration?

Other than actors that I admire, my family are the ones who inspired me to take on this career and have supported me regardless of how “successful” I’ve been so far. So yeah, family. Always family.

What’s your most annoying habit?

I have a habit of turning off anything electronic if no one’s in the room. Much to the annoyance of anyone I live with! 

What is it about the way you do what you do that you think separates you from others? 

I’m not really sure. I guess I don’t look typically “Indian” by industry standards, so I try to use the ambiguity of my face to take on roles that wouldn’t otherwise be as readily available for other Indian actors. It’s very much a hit-and-miss process and also works against me a fair amount of the time! But I’m grateful that it’s allowed me to have a pretty varied CV. 

How do you positively contribute to our enviroment and “helping the planet”?

I take recycling quite seriously, actually. I try to only buy products with recyclable packaging. Also, like I said earlier, I’m always looking for ways to cut my energy consumption around the house.

What’s the most fun project you have done and why?

I’d have to say my last project, ‘Pandora’ for the CW Network, was the most fun I’ve had on a job. The character was a real goofball, and that gave me permission to bring all my goofy-ness out. We also had a lot of action and stunts on that job, and that’s always the best part for me! 

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while working on a project?

I sat talking to Daisy Ridley for about half an hour on the set of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, where she claimed we’d definitely met before and I had no idea what she was talking about. That was pretty strange. In a good way, of course. 

Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

I’d like to write and produce a lot more, alongside working as an actor. But to be completely honest, I just want to keep working. That’s the only goal. 

What’s next for you? 

I don’t really know. But I’m open to any and every opportunity that swings my way!

Akshay Kumar @akshaykumar.uk

Photographed by Erica bergsmeds @ericabergsmeds

Hair and Makeup Ninni Mighty @Ninnimighty

Art dir/ creative dir Erica Bergsmeds

Producer/ social media Noha Ben Ismail @blowoutmagazine