I am taking a break from comedy: Akki

By Hindustan Times

Post the release of comic caper Housefull 2, actor Akshay Kumar says he will be taking a break from comedy to concentrate on action films and serious cinema.

In the Capital to shoot for Neeraj Pandey's multi-starrer Special Chabbis, the 44-year-old, who began his film journey with action films like Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Mohra, said he was dying to do action for the past seven years.

"There was too much of comedy from my end. Even I got bored of them. For the past seven years, I was craving for a serious and full-fledged action film but I was loaded with comedy.

"Action is something with which I have started my career and it gave me the platform to become a star. I enjoy doing them and now for sometime I will stick to this particular genre.

"After Housefull 2, my next two releases - Joker and Once Upon a time in Mumbai 2 are hard core actions. I am happy that the action man is back," Akshay told PTI.

In the past few years, Akshay has been seen in numerous comedy films like Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Housefull and Tees Maar Khan.

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Comedy is difficult: Akshay Kumar

By Hindustan Times
He has proved to be a khiladi of both genres - action and comedy. But kicking and boxing in front of the camera is far easier than making the audience laugh, says Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.
"Action is easy, it is very easy. Comedy is difficult," Akshay told IANS in a chat on the sets of Neeraj Pandey's Special Chabbis. After a shot, the 44-year-old relaxed in the balcony of an old-structured house in Connaught Place here.
"You know...you can kick your legs, punch someone very easily and do action. In fact, action can even look great through camerawork. Also, for an emotional scene, you can put glycerine in the eyes and make any artist cry, and the viewers think he is crying, so people also start crying," said the actor, looking fit and smart in trousers, a shirt and sleeveless sweater.
"But to make someone laugh, you have to work very hard. It's very difficult to make people laugh. So comedy is tough...the toughest," he added.
Akshay became the undisputed action star of Hindi films with projects like Khiladi, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, International Khiladi, Waqt Hamara Hai and Mohra.
In 2000, he tried his comic timing in the hit movie Hera Pheri. It was followed by others like Garam Masala, Phir Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhaag, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Housefull and Tees Maar Khan.
"Nothing has changed about comedy. People enjoy what you give from the heart. Don't try and go by the trend. Go with your heart and mind...if you do your work with sincerity, it will always work," said the actor who has done about 100 films in his 25-year-old career.
"The audience only enjoys an entertaining film. See, the black and white film The Artist is the talk of the town. Who knew that a black and white silent film would come in 2012 and do so well and take away the Oscar?
"So if you make a film with your head and heart, it will always have a connect with the audience," said Akshay, who is now awaiting for the sequel of Sajid Khan's 2010 comic film Housefull to hit the theatres April 5.
Housefull 2 has been subtitled The Dirty Dozen, thanks to the number of artists in it.
Apart from Akshay, it has Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade and John Abraham, with Jacqueline Fernandez, Asin Thottumkal, Shazahn Padamsee and Zarine Khan in the cast. They are joined by senior actors like Mithun Chakraborty, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor and Boman Irani to complete the dirty dozen.
Unlike most stars who find it cumbersome to work with so many actors, Akshay says the experience was unmatched.
"Multi-starrers are fun to work on. There are so many actors, so many people that you end up laughing and giggling with even during the take. The director gets fed up and says cut, but somebody or the other keeps goofing up or saying something wrong," he said.
"A director needs to have patience enough to put up with all of this. It's a very difficult job to do. But Sajid does it well. Sajid is a mad man, and only he can handle this," he added.
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Can’t do stand-up comedy: Mahima Chaudhary

By Hindustan Times

After working on the film Gumnaam, in 2008, actor Mahima Chaudhary had nearly disappeared from the industry and public memory. However, she made a comeback of sorts last Saturday as Sachin Pilgaonkar’s co-judge on the kiddie stand-up show, Chote Miyan Season Three on Colors.

“Domestic responsibilities kept me away. My daughter is five years old now. Back then, she was too tiny for me to leave her with someone. Now, she’s a big girl, and I know I can take time off to do my own thing,” says Mahima, adding, “The reason I took up this show is because it doesn’t have a crazy schedule. And being at work doesn’t seem like work. I’m surrounded by children. and it’s fun.”

She admits she has received offers from many reality shows, but explains that she didn’t accept any, either because the concepts didn’t work or the schedules were too demanding. Here, she doesn’t shoot for more than two or three days in a week.

“I know nothing about comedy. These kids can give anyone a run for their money. Their acts blew my socks off,” she says, adding, “I’m a motherly judge. I can’t chop off their marks cunningly. So, I usually mark the kids with help from Sachinji. He has helped me develop better perspective.” So, does she plan to hop on to the ha-ha brigade and join a reality show as a contestant? “I’m not cut out for that,” Mahima giggles. “Before I started judging this show, I thought I could pull of comedy. But after seeing them, I have to admit, I’ve lost the confidence to put a stand-up act together.”

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