Mumbai: He may have now become one of the
most bankable actors in Hindi film industry, but during the
initial days of his career in Bollywood Akshay Kumar said he
was treated like an outsider.
The 50-year-old actor, who has given some major
blockbusters such as "Special 26", "Baby", "Airlift" and
"Rustom" in past one decade, said an actor's luxury on a
film's set depends on the number of hits and flops.
"Yes, I was made to feel (outcast). I remember while
doing a two-hero film, my three-four films didn't work, but
his (the other hero) did. We were having an equal role but he
gets a suite room and I get a single room. He gets an amazing
car, but I get that 'you come in the bus,' yes it really
happens," Akshay said in a media interaction.
The actor said the moment his films started working, his
equations with a lot of people in the industry changed.
"If my films work, I would get a bigger room. Sometimes
from business class I was shifted to the first class when my
films were running. When my films were doing exceptionally
well I would get a private jet as well," he added.
Akshay said in his "27 and a half years" long career he
has had low phases "three to four times" but failures did not
bother him.
"Never take lull or success seriously. They will come
and go. It (the ups and down) is bound to happen."
The actor is now geared up for the release of his first
film of the year, "Padman", scheduled to hit the screens
on January 25.
The film, directed by R Balki, chronicles the inspiring
story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who created affordable
sanitary pads.
On government's decision to levy GST on sanitary pads,
Akshay said they should be made free.
"People ask me what do you feel about GST (on sanitary
pads). I say, why should there be a GST? It should be free!
There are countries which give it for free, there's no GST on
it. It's an essential thing to make the women strong. I feel
it should be free for women. PTI
