Akshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, model and film producer who mainly works in the Bollywood film industry. His real name is Rajiv Hariom Bhatia. He has an Indian origin and holds Canadian citizenship. Akshay is one of the long-standing Bollywood actors who is also a film producer, television celebrity, and martial artist. Let us take a closer look at his personal life and journey until he reached the Hindi film industry.
Explore the below biodata to know more about Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar biography, wiki, age, birthday, date of birth, religion, family, father, mother, education, girlfriend, wife, son, daughter, affairs, marriage, movies list, height, weight, body measurements, career, salary, net worth, awards, Social media profile, photos and highlights some unknown facts.
Akshay Kumar biography, wiki, profile
Name | Akshay Kumar |
Real name / Other Name | Rajiv Hariom Bhatia |
Profession | Actor, Model, Film producer |
Date of Birth | 9th September 1967 |
Age (2020) | 52 Years |
Place of Birth | Amritsar, Punjab |
Education | Graduation degree in Psychology (Dropped) |
School | Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mumbai |
College / University | Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Mumbai |
Physical appearance: | |
Skin Color | Wheatish |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Black |
Height | 5'11" |
Weight | 80 kg |
Body measurements (Chest Size, Waist Size, Biceps Size) | Chest: 42 Inches Waist: 34 Inches Biceps: 16 Inches |
Family Details | |
Father's name | Hari Om Bhatia |
Mother's Name | Aruna Bhatia |
Religion | Hindu |
Brother(s) | None |
Sister(s) | Alka Bhatia |
Other relatives / Famous people in family | None |
Residence / Address | Ground Floor, Juhu Prime Beach Apartment, Gandhigram Road, Juhu, Mumbai |
Personal Details | |
Marital Status | Married |
Relationship, Boyfriend / Dating with | None |
Wife Name | Twinkle Khanna |
Children's Name | Aarav (son) Nitara (daughter) |
Debut film | Saugandh (1991) |
Hobbies | Dancing, Traveling |
Salary / Income per movie | $65 million (per annum) |
Net Worth | ₹980 Crores |
Early life and Career
Akshay was born in a Punjabi Hindu family on 9th September 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Late Mr Hari Om Bhatia served the Indian army and was also close friends with the eminent wrestler Dara Singh. At the same time, his mother, Mrs Aruna Bhatia, was a homemaker. Akshay’s siblings include a younger sister named Alka Bhatia.
Being an army brat, Akshay’s nurturing was strict, and he was raised with utmost discipline. He saw his childhood days in Old Delhi and later relocated to Mumbai. He attained his primary and higher education at Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mumbai. Since his childhood days, he was a sports fanatic with a special inclination toward Martial arts. After passing his high school intermediate, he enrolled in Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Mumbai.
Akshay’s share of struggles began when he flew to Bangkok after dropping out of college. He spent his time in Bangkok learning and getting a grip on Taekwondo and Muay Thai. To earn his bread in Bangkok, the actor worked as a part-time waiter and a chef. After mastering Martial arts, Akshay landed back in the nation and became a Martial arts instructor. He also served a travel organization in Kolkata to earn extra bread by working there as a peon. He summoned the courage to try his hand at modelling when one of his students, who was older than him in age, praised his elegant and dynamic looks. He took up several modelling assignments and, fortunately, started going strong in that niche. That was the very time when he adopted the name, Akshay Kumar.
He was first given trifling roles in Bollywood movies, like a background dancer in various songs. Though he could earn a decent amount of money completing modelling assignments, he also assisted photographer Jayesh Sheth as an assistant photographer to shoot his first portfolio. He worked under Jayesh for 18 months for free.
He bagged an ad-film offer and was called to Bangalore for the shooting. Unfortunately, he missed his flight that morning and was upset with himself after the incident. That very evening, he headed for visiting film studios and his portfolio and met director Pramod Chakravarty. Pramod, impressed with his looks and skills, signed him for the movie “Deedaar.”
Akshay landed in Bollywood with his debut film “Saugandh” in 1991, playing the male lead role. That very year, he also appeared in the movie ‘Dancer,’ a failure at the box office. However, good days caught sight of him when he signed “Khiladi,” directed by Abbas-Mustan. This movie was a commercial success and brought Akshay into the spotlight. Even today, he is called “Khiladi” by his near and dear ones in B-town.
Overall, 1993 was a tough year for Akshay Kumar. But, destiny still had some failure nuggets in store for Kumar. His upcoming movies failed to fascinate both the viewers and the Box-office. Those included Deedaar (1992), Mr. Bond (1992), Dil ki Baazi(1993), Kayda Kanoon (1993), Waqt humara hai (1993), Sainik (1993). But Kumar made a stunning comeback in 1994 with two action films, namely Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Mohra. These movies made the highest box office collection in 1994, and Akshay reaped huge praise from his audience. Later in 1994, Akshay landed his first romantic lead role opposite Kajol in the film “Yeh Dillagi.” The movie and Akshay’s romantic appearance went down well with the viewers, and the movie also fetched him a nomination for the Best Actor at the Filmfare awards and Star Screen awards. Kumar’s more successful films from the year 1994 include Suhaag and Elaan.
The Hindi film industry still had a lot of iconic appearances to witness from Akshay’s side. Bollywood had no idea that Akshay would shoot a spectacular Khiladi series at the box office. The next installment of the Khiladi series happened to be “Sabse Bada Khiladi,” in which Akshay played a double role. The film gained success, accolades, and praises at the box office, just like Khiladi. He starred in the next Khiladi film, named Khiladiyon ka Khiladi alongside Rekha and Raveena Tandon. Akshay again aced his role and character in the film and underwent an unbelievable transformation. He had a unique hairstyle, combed back, and shot a wrestling scene with the veteran wrestler ‘Undertaker.’ Akshay was even severely injured while shooting the action sequences of the film and received medical treatment in the U.S. Audience couldn’t get enough of the film and Akshay became the talk of the town. His 1997 release, Mr And Mrs Khiladi, a romantic comedy, was one film from the Khiladi series that failed at the box office despite its good humour and story plot. Another film project from 1997, Dil Toh Pagal hai, a romantic starrer, welcomed Akshay in a supporting role. Akshay starred opposite Shahrukh Khan, Karishma Kapoor, and Madhuri Dixit and received his first nomination for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award.
Akshay starred in another dual-role film Aflatoon which received critical acclaim. Critics also stated that Akshay possesses a talent to provide a different touch to the film in which he acts.
Following Aflatoon, Akshay’s career declined when his releases started failing one by one at the box office. He then made his drastic comeback through the 1999 release Jaanwar and showed people that he wouldn’t give up anytime soon. Kumar tried his hand in the comedy niche with the Priyadarshan starrer “Hera Pheri,” alongside Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty, which was an absolute laughter dose. The film was a milestone in Akshay’s career and broke all existing records at the box office. With this movie, Akshay proved his worth as a comic actor too.
Apart from acting, Akshay is well-known and popular in B-town for executing and shooting the action sequences himself, instead of using a body double. One of his famous action scenes includes a scene from Khiladi 420, where Akshay boards a running plane and stands on the plane top while in the air. Kumar has also played an antagonist in the 2001 release Ajnabee, a crime thriller, and brought Akshay his first Filmfare award for the best villain and IIFA award in 2002 for the best negative role. After that, Akshay did multiple films belonging to all genres, such as thriller, action-packed, sentimental, and comedy. He has worked alongside legendary actors such as Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi and in the debut movies of currently existing Bollywood icons like Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra, etc. Kumar’s acting journey to the present day was filled with many ups and downs, criticisms, and appreciations. Most of his films have given a brilliant response to the box office and have been a head-turner for the audience. Some of his films have also broken the existing records of previous critically acclaimed movies, such as Singh is Kinng, Welcome, Namastey London, etc. In contrast, some have been a complete disaster, such as Chandni Chowk to China, Tasveer 8×10, Kambakkht Ishq, Blue, Joker, etc.
In the current years, Akshay has gained even more respect and prominence from the audience, citing his roles in movies that raise social issues. Some examples are Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, which condemns open defecation; Padman, which does not regard a female’s menstrual cycle as a taboo; Kesari, the historical story, and the spirit of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Akshay has left no stone unturned in awakening the citizens of the country toward social causes.
Akshay will be seen in the movies- Laxmi Bomb, Suryawanshi, and Prithviraj, releasing in 2022. We deeply wish for his great success and well-being.
Some lesser-known facts about Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar neither drinks alcohol nor smokes.
Akshay Kumar is a black belt holder in Taekwondo and also has expertise in Muay Thai.
He used to work as a part-time waiter in Bangkok, earning ₹1500 per month.
He changed his name to Akshay Kumar because, in one of his favourite actress’ movies, the male actor opposite her favourite actress was Akshay Kumar.
His current residence at Juhu is where he came many years ago for his portfolio shoot.
He began learning Martial arts at the time he was in the 8th standard.
His father was friends with the legendary wrestler Dara Singh.
Akshay was the first choice for the film “Phool Aur Kaante,” but Ajay Devgan was selected as the male lead role due to his demand for high fees.
While shooting for a fighting sequence in the film ‘Khiladiyon ka Khiladi,’ he lifted his on-screen opponent, Brian Lee, who weighed 350 pounds. The actor suffered severe back pain and was put under strict medical care for some time.
Akshay declared his comedy film Phir Hera Pheri a nonsense movie.
He got engaged to actress Twinkle Khanna twice, the daughter of the late veteran Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna and the gorgeous Dimple Kapadia.
Akshay has a son and a daughter, and he prefers to keep them away from the limelight and media coverage.
He has also been a host for Television reality shows like Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, MasterChef India, and Dare to Dance.
His name has been linked to several Bollywood actresses that caused a rift in his and the actress’s married lives, like Ayesha Khulka, Priyanka Chopra, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Batra, etc.
He has sung a Punjabi devotional song, “Nirgun Raakh Liya.”
His daughter did not like his appearance and looked in the movie Gabbar is back and found her big beard shabby and dirty.
Akshay leads a disciplined lifestyle and gets up at 4 in the morning. He is regularly involved in bodily activities like Swimming, Basketball, Martial arts, Kickboxing, and Weight training.
His Andaaz co-actor Lara Dutta revealed that he is terrible at memorizing and remembering dialogues. The cast crew has to always help him out in bizarre ways to shoot the scene successfully.
He learned the Arabic language for his role in the movie “Airlift.”
He held the 4th position in Forbes’s highest-paid actors’ list in the year 2019.
Akshay Kumar movies list
Saugandh, Khiladi, Khiladi No.1, International Khiladi, Mr and Mrs Khiladi, Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Tashan, Tasveer 8×10, Aitraaz, Jaan-e-mann, Kambakht Ishq, Patiala House, Action Replayy, Rowdy Rathore, Heyy Babyy, Chandni Chowk to China, Tees Maar Khan, Khatta Meetha, Waqt: The Race against time, Mujhse Shadi Karogi, Housefull, Housefull-2, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Rustom, Gabbar is back, Padman and many more.
Social media handles
Akshay Kumar Instagram: @akshaykumar
Akshay Kumar Twitter: @akshaykumar