Akshay Hari Om Bhatia, known professionally as Akshay Kumar, is an Indian actor and film producer working in Hindi cinema. Referred to in the media as "Khiladi Kumar", through his career spanning over 30 years, Kumar has appeared in over 100 films and has won several awards, including two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, from the Government of India in 2009. Kumar is one of the most prolific actors in Indian cinema. Forbes included Kumar in their lists of both highest-paid celebrities and highest-paid actors in the world from 2015 to 2020. Between 2019 and 2020, he was the only Indian on both lists.
The Filmfare Best Villain Award was given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise an actor who had delivered an outstanding performance in a negative role. Although the awards started in 1954, this category was first introduced in 1992 and has been marked as obsolete since 2007.
Hera Pheri is a 2000 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Neeraj Vora, starring Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Om Puri and Gulshan Grover. The film is a remake of 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. It is the first instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise. The plot revolves around two tenants, Raju and Shyam, and their landlord, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, who are in desperate need of money. They chance upon a ransom call through a cross connection and hatch a plan to claim the ransom for themselves.
Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor, comedian, film producer and politician known for his works primarily in Hindi films. He has appeared in over 240 films and is the recipient of various accolades. In 1994, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in the films Woh Chokri and Sir. For the latter, he received his first Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. This was followed by Ketan Mehta's Sardar, which saw him playing the lead role of freedom fighter Vallabhbhai Patel, a role that got him national and international acclaim. He was honoured with Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2014.
Deewane Huye Paagal is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language romantic action comedy film directed by Vikram Bhatt, and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala. The film features Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Rimi Sen, Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever. Aftab Shivdasani and Vivek Oberoi make guest appearances. An unofficial remake of the 1998 American film There's Something About Mary with some changes, the film was released on 25 November 2005 to a positive critical reception. Despite favorable reviews, the film failed commercially. Over the years, this film has been a cult-classic and has a significant and passionate fanbase. The performance of Akshay Kumar and other stars was widely appreciated in this movie.
Awara Paagal Deewana is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film directed by Vikram Bhatt. The film's music was composed by Anu Malik, and the lyrics by Sameer. It has a plot loosely inspired by The Whole Nine Yards, and features action scenes choreographed by stunt director Dion Lam, who worked on The Matrix and Hong Kong action films. It features Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Preeti Jhangiani, Aarti Chhabria, Amrita Arora and Rahul Dev.
Phir Hera Pheri is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language comedy film written and directed by Neeraj Vora. It serves as the sequel to Hera Pheri (2000) and second installment of the Hera Pheri franchise. It stars Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal reprising their roles from the previous film with Bipasha Basu, Rimi Sen, Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav. Following the events of the previous film, a twist of fate changes the lives of Raju, Shyam and Baburao when they get cheated by a fraudster Anuradha. They must now find another way to repay the loan taken from a dreaded gangster called Tiwari. The central plot is inspired by the 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Circus.
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahaani is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language fantasy action thriller film directed and produced by Rajkumar Kohli, making it his last film as a director. The film features an ensemble cast; including Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Sonu Nigam, Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Arshad Warsi, Aditya Pancholi and Sharad Kapoor in lead roles and Manisha Koirala and Armaan Kohli as the main antagonists.
Welcome is an Indian 2007 Hindi-language comedy film co-written and directed by Anees Bazmee. It stars Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, and Mallika Sherawat in prominent roles. Sunil Shetty and Malaika Arora feature in special appearances. The film marked the last screen appearance of Feroz Khan who died in 2009.
Talaash: The Hunt Begins... is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. It is directed by Suneel Darshan and produced by Pahlaj Nihalani.
Insaaf, also known as Insaaf: The Final Justice, is a 1997 Indian Bollywood action film directed and written by Dayal Nihalani and starring Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty and Paresh Rawal. It was released on 30 May 1997.
Say Salaam India is an 2007 Indian Hindi language sports drama film, written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, and starring Sanjay Suri, Milind Soman, Anuj Pandit Sharma, and Sandhya Mridul. The film revolves around a group of four boys and their passion for the sport.
Chor Machaye Shor is a 2002 Indian Hindi action comedy film. The film is directed by David Dhawan and stars Bobby Deol, Shilpa Shetty, and Bipasha Basu in the main leads while Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Rajat Bedi, and Rajpal Yadav play supporting roles. The plot of this film is copied from the 1999 Hollywood film Blue Streak.
Naseeb (transl. Destiny) is a 1981 Indian Hindi-language masala film produced and directed by Manmohan Desai, and written by Kader Khan. It is a typical Manmohan Desai film starring, Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Rishi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Reena Roy, Kim in lead roles and Pran, Prem Chopra, Shakti Kapoor, Kader Khan, Amjad Khan, Amrish Puri in supporting roles, along with Jeevan in a small positive role. The music is by the Manmohan Desai regulars Laxmikant–Pyarelal.
Neeraj Vora was an Indian film director, writer, actor and composer from Gujarat. He made a mark in Bollywood with his work as a writer for Ram Gopal Verma's film Rangeela (1995). His directorial debut was Akshay Kumar starrer Khiladi 420 in 2000 and also directed Phir Hera Pheri (2006). He has written screenplay and dialogues of some popular Bollywood comedy films including Hera Pheri franchise, Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Bhool Bhulaiya (2007). As an actor, His notable work includes Mann (1999), Hello Brother (1999), Khatta Meetha (2010), Bol Bachchan (2012).
Pratikar is a 1991 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by T. Rama Rao. It stars Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit in lead roles. The film is a remake of 1987 Bengali film Pratikar, which was also remade in Telugu as Raktha Tilakam and in Tamil as Thaimel Aanai.
Akshay Kumar is an Indian actor, television presenter, and film producer who works in Hindi-language films. He first appeared in a minor role in the 1987 Indian film Aaj. He debuted in a leading role with the film Saugandh (1991) before his breakthrough with the suspense thriller Khiladi (1992), the first film of the Khiladi series. He established himself as an action hero with the films Elaan (1994), Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Suhaag (1994), and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996). Kumar earned his first Filmfare Awards nominations for the romantic films Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). However, several other of his 1990s releases performed poorly at the box office, leading to a brief setback in his film career.
Grazing Goat Pictures is an Indian film and TV production house launched in 2011 by Hindi film actor Akshay Kumar and Ashvini Yardi. Its first film was OMG – Oh My God! which won the National Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The next film in their banner Fugly opened to mixed reviews.
