FILM INTERVIEW: AKSHAY KUMAR
Bollywood’s answer to John Travolta is at it again, as Akshay Kumar reunites with South Indian director Priyadarshan for the sixth time in a riotously funny new film about political corruption set to release this weekend. Despite the Akshay-Priyadarshan union and another (Trisha Krishnan) making her Bollywood debut alongside Akshay Kumar, Khatta Meetha is not intended to be just another slapstick comedy helmed by the popular Malay filmmaker. Instead, in promoting Khatta Meetha in the days leading up to its release, Akshay Kumar was quick to point out that both he and Priyadarshan wanted this film, a Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision production, to be an entirely different kind of comedy — they both see Khatta Meetha as a comedy with a purpose. In explaining how Khatta Meetha is a different twist in Priyadarshan comedies, Akshay Kumar said the timing was right to present a message of the irony that exists in India.
“Our country is said to be a growing superpower with the fastest growing economy, but still we do not have good roads because corruption has seeped deep in our system,” Akshay, who portrays a down-on-his-luck construction worker dealing with systemic corruption, told the press.
Akshay confessed he is no stranger to bribery, which is a key theme of Khatta Meetha. Yet therein lies the problem — the actor pondered how India could make proper advances and become a global superpower despite maintaining blatant levels of bribery and corruption.
“Yeah … it was way back when I had to get my car’s registration number that I had to bribe,” the 42-year-old actor said, adding that he will probably never pull off a bribe again for fear he might get caught.
Instead of aiding and abetting such shady activities, Akshay went on to say how he would rather star in a film that seriously tackles issues such as bribery and corruption. The fact that Khatta Meetha is a comedic take on such a serious issue only helps make it easier for the audience to relate to and understand, the actor feels.
“Whether it is good or bad, it is your opinion. I rather choose to ignore it and not react,“ Akshay candidly told the press about his thoughts on issues such as bribery, corruption, and scandal.
Akshay may have chose to ignore sharing his opinion about bribes and corrupt civic officials during his promotions of Khatta Meetha, but that does not mean he shied away from relaying the strong message the film’s soundtrack had about such issues. One of the tracks on the film’s album is entitled “Bullshit,” which is meant to symbolize a stand against government corruption.
“No one has come to us and said anything about the song as yet,” Akshay observed to the press about “Bullshit.” “We are not taking names of any individual or political party in the track. We are just commenting about the corruption.”
Akshay, Priyadarshan, and Trisha will not be taking any names of individuals who make it out to the multiplexes this weekend, but the trio (as well as the entire cast and crew) certainly hope the movie-going audiences will have shared real comments about corruption with the actual Indian government after watching Khatta Meetha (which means “Sour Sweet” in English).
Khatta Meetha hits theaters worldwide on July 23rd.
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