Akshay Kumar: Man with Midas touch in crosshairs – The New Indian Express

Again in 2012, when OMG (the primary movie) was launched, Akshay Kumar, the star, was in an fascinating part. He had seen the dizzying heights of success within the mid-to-late 2000s, however on the flip of that decade, blockbuster success appeared elusive. Whereas hits have come because the diploma of success hasn’t fairly been the identical because it was throughout that golden part when all the things he touched turned to gold.

Success has been on and off over the last decade, however Akshay Kumar has grow to be greater than only a movie star throughout this era. He has additionally come to be recognized, amongst different issues, for his concentrate on health and for being the ‘highest taxpayer in Bollywood’.

A Nationwide Award for Greatest Actor got here his approach for his efficiency in Rustom (2016), within the aftermath of Akshay usually talking about by no means successful a Greatest Actor award at any prestigious award operate. Someplace round Pad Man and Mission Mangal, maybe the largest transformation of his star picture occurred when he got here to be seen as a right-wing ally.

The reality is, Akshay at all times made nationalistic movies, however solely afterward, did they arrive to be coloured with the robust level of jingoism. Aside from occasional sojourns into the comedy style with movies like Housefull and Good Newwz, Akshay’s protagonist was principally a straight arrow.

Gray characters like Ajay Singh Vardhan from Particular 26 or Shoaib Khan from As soon as Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara! have been far and few in between. He performed the larger-than-life no-nonsense cop; he performed the inspiring entrepreneur and naturally, he usually performed the unforgettable historic determine as effectively. 

Amidst the seeming decline of the three Khans, and the rise of new-age heroes, Akshay remained a bridge of occasions. However he had additionally begun capturing the creativeness of the correct wing by starring in movies like Ram Setu, Samrat Prithviraj, Kesari… Paradoxically, these resulted in dismal box-office returns and made him appeal to the ire of social media from the opposite facet of the fence. Even his ‘impartial’ movies got here to be bashed, however that’s giant as a result of they weren’t nice movies to start with.

Akshay Kumar’s evident allegiance got here to criticism. Critics identified the hypocrisy of his silence over nationwide points when he had not been as quiet when a earlier authorities dominated. Two topics turned notably noteworthy: the PM Modi interview of 2019 (sure, the one wherein the Prime Minister, amongst different issues, was requested about his love for mangoes) and the subject of his Canadian citizenship. Every time an Akshay Kumar movie wouldn’t do effectively, these subjects got here up.

The proud Nationalist Akshay Kumar proved his ‘Bharatiya’ credentials by renouncing his Canadian citizenship and flaunting it (‘Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani’). However this, surprisingly, didn’t cease him from getting flak from right-wing zealots, who didn’t take kindly to the messaging in his newest movie, OMG 2. A right-wing outfit, in reality, introduced a hefty financial reward for anybody who would ‘spit on him or slap him’. The movie, which truly makes use of Hinduism to browbeat Indian tradition’s superiority in understanding sexuality, got here in for sudden criticism from right-wing extremists, who perceived the affiliation with any subject associated to intercourse as an affront. The movie additionally obtained an unkind A-certification—which once more, is ironic, contemplating that the movie itself is in regards to the significance of intercourse schooling for varsity kids. All of the movie’s principal forged, together with Govind Namdev, have criticized the certification. Akshay Kumar, curiously, has remained tight-lipped.

And now, Akshay Kumar is at a brand new juncture the place each step is subjected to intense scrutiny by all colours of the political spectrum. Take, as an example, his tweet in regards to the Manipur violence. One part criticized him for his assist to the ruling occasion, whereas one other requested if he had shifted sides. Yet one more part questioned him about his silence about violence in different states. One facet gained’t let him neglect the previous decade, and the opposite gained’t let him present gumption… no person will let him lay low. It’s like he has been pushed right into a nook. Whereas his movies usually present a standard man turning into an invincible hero, how does Akshay Kumar, the model, rework from right here?

The world doesn’t exist in binaries, however we dwell in an age that gained’t agree. There isn’t a doubt that Akshay reaped the advantages of being carefully related to the machine that runs the nation, however might it’s that some cogs in that machine at the moment are turning the opposite approach? That is one other fascinating problem for a person referred to as the person with the Midas contact. 

Adblock check (Why?)