Akshay Kumar

Kumar was born in Old Delhi in Delhi, India,{{Cite AV media |title=Guftagoo with Akshay Kumar |date=3 June 2014 |publisher=Rajya Sabha TV |author=S. Irfan |work=Guftagoo |minutes=3:35 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMm3vCNC4_A |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904165516/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pMm3vCNC4_A |url-status=live}}{{efn|Though Britannica denotes his birthplace as Amritsar in Punjab, India.}} to Hari Om Bhatia (later Brijmohan Bhatia) and Aruna Bhatia in a Punjabi Hindu family.{{cite web |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=40 things you didn't know about Akki |date=5 September 2007 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/05akshay.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=14 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080219044744/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/05akshay.htm| archive-date= 19 February 2008}} His father was an army officer.{{cite news |author1=Ritika Handoo |title=Lesser known facts about Akshay Kumar |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/lesser-known-facts-about-akshay-kumar_1668704.html |access-date=5 May 2016 |work=Zee News |date=8 September 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210645/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/lesser-known-facts-about-akshay-kumar_1668704.html |url-status=live}} From a young age, Kumar was very interested in sports. His father too enjoyed wrestling. He lived and grew up in Delhi's Chandni Chowk and later he moved to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) when his father left Army to become an accountant with UNICEF. Soon, his sister was born and the family lived in Koliwada, a Punjabi dominated area of Central Bombay.{{cite news |last1=Mohammad |first1=Khalid |title=Akshay Kumar is a Punjabi by nature |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/entertainment/akshay-kumar-is-a-punjabi-by-nature/article1-211213.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=17 June 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=22 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225000554/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Akshay-Kumar-is-a-Punjabi-by-nature/Article1-211213.aspx |archive-date=25 December 2013}}

He received his school education from Don Bosco High School, Matunga,{{cite web |title=Notable Alumni {{!}} Don Bosco High School |url=https://donboscomatunga.com/alumni/notable-alumni/ |website=donboscomatunga.com |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817202648/https://donboscomatunga.com/alumni/notable-alumni/ |url-status=live }} simultaneously learning Karate. He enrolled in Guru Nanak Khalsa College for higher education, but dropped out as he was not much interested in studies. He requested his father that he wanted to learn martial arts further, and his father somehow saved money to send him to Thailand. Kumar went to Bangkok to learn martial arts and lived in Thailand for five years learning Thai Boxing.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Priya |title=I've got more than what I had ever dreamt of: Akshay Kumar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ive-got-more-than-what-I-had-ever-dreamt-of-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/21776783.cms |access-date=19 August 2015 |work=The Times of India |date=13 August 2013 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ive-got-more-than-what-I-had-ever-dreamt-of-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/21776783.cms |url-status=live}} Kumar also has a sister, Alka Bhatia.{{cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/akshay-twinkle-at-pre-karva-chauth-bash-8460 |title=Akshay, Twinkle at pre-Karva Chauth bash |publisher=NDTV |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524134015/http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/akshay-twinkle-at-pre-karva-chauth-bash-8460 |archive-date=24 May 2013}} When Kumar was a teenager, his father asked him what he aspired to be. Kumar expressed his desire to become an actor.{{cite news |title=Unplugged: Akshay Kumar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Unplugged-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/4328069.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 October 2014 |date=21 September 2009 |archive-date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702123941/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Unplugged-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/4328069.cms |url-status=live}}

After having obtained a black belt in Taekwondo while in India,{{cite web |last=AS |first=Sashidhar |title=Akshay obtained a black belt in Taekwondo |website=The Times of India |date=8 September 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Akshay-obtained-a-black-belt-in-Taekwondo/articleshow/16312135.cms | access-date=29 November 2015 | archive-date=7 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Akshay-obtained-a-black-belt-in-Taekwondo/articleshow/16312135.cms | url-status=live}} he studied martial arts in Bangkok, Thailand, where he learned Muay Thai and worked as a chef and waiter.{{cite web |title=Lesser known facts about Akshay Kumar |website=Zee News |date=8 September 2015 |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/lesser-known-facts-about-akshay-kumar_1668704.html |language=la | access-date=29 November 2015 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210645/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/lesser-known-facts-about-akshay-kumar_1668704.html | url-status=live}} After Thailand, Kumar went to work in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) in a travel agency, in Dhaka in a hotel as a chef{{cite web |last1=Siddique |first1=Habibulla |last2=Khan |first2=Rupak |title=He chopped vegetables in the kitchen – Akshay Kumar's brief stint in Dhaka's Purbani hotel |date=9 October 2019 |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/entertainment/purbani-bollywood-recollection-akshay-kumars-brief-spell |publisher=The Business Standard |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730070814/https://www.tbsnews.net/entertainment/purbani-bollywood-recollection-akshay-kumars-brief-spell |url-status=live}} and Delhi where he sold Kundan jewellery. Upon his return to Bombay, he commenced the teaching of martial arts.

During this time, the father of one of his students, himself a model co-ordinator, recommended Kumar into modelling which ultimately led to a modelling assignment for a furniture showroom. Kumar effectively made more money within the first two days of shooting than in his entire month's salary, and therefore chose a modelling career path. He worked as an assistant for photographer Jayesh Sheth for 18 months without payment to shoot his first portfolio.{{cite news |title=Akshay before he became a star |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/07slide1-jayesh-on-akshay-kumar.htm |access-date=5 May 2016 |work=Rediff.com |archive-date=30 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330040919/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/07slide1-jayesh-on-akshay-kumar.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1=Upala KBR |title=There and back again for Akshay |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/there-and-back-again-for-akshay/98013 |access-date=5 May 2016 |work=mid-day |date=12 October 2010 |archive-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124231710/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/there-and-back-again-for-akshay/98013 |url-status=live}} He also worked as a background dancer in various films.{{cite news |title=So what if I play Akshay Kumar's dad?: Jackie Shroff |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-so-what-if-i-play-akshay-kumar-s-dad-jackie-shroff-2024216 |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 October 2014 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111122713/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-so-what-if-i-play-akshay-kumar-s-dad-jackie-shroff-2024216 |url-status=live}}

Kumar made his first screen appearance with film Aaj under his birth name 'Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia', in a bit role as a Karate instructor. Kumar further stated that he changed his name to Akshay Hari Om Bhatia and chose his stage name as Akshay Kumar, after Kumar Gaurav's character Akshay in the film.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Prashant |date=29 June 2016 |title=This is how Rajiv Bhatia became Akshay Kumar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/this-is-how-rajiv-bhatia-became-akshay-kumar/story-pfXNsMo0GANSIdcV4ntTgM.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 October 2023 |archive-date=27 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027141725/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/this-is-how-rajiv-bhatia-became-akshay-kumar/story-pfXNsMo0GANSIdcV4ntTgM.html |url-status=live}}

One morning, he missed his flight for an ad-shoot in Bangalore. Disappointed with himself, he visited a film studio along with his portfolio. That evening, Kumar was signed for a lead role by producer Pramod Chakravarthy for the movie Deedar.{{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=Star of the Week – Akshay Kumar |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/nov/20list.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809104524/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/nov/20list.htm |archive-date=9 August 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Karisma Kapoor is Akshay Kumar's lucky charm? |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/karisma-kapoor-is-akshay-kumar-s-lucky-charm/article1-1171327.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=29 July 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=10 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405101732/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/karisma-kapoor-is-akshay-kumar-s-lucky-charm/article1-1171327.aspx |archive-date=5 April 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Akshay Kumar offers to act in student's film |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-offers-to-act-in-student-s-film/article1-885198.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=29 July 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812102655/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Akshay-Kumar-offers-to-act-in-student-s-film/Article1-885198.aspx |archive-date=12 August 2012}}

{{Main|Akshay Kumar filmography}}

Kumar made his first appearance as the lead actor opposite Raakhee and Shantipriya in Saugandh (1991). In the same year, he acted in Kishore Vyas-directed Dancer, which received poor reviews.{{cite news |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=The Ten Worst Films of Akshay Kumar (Dancer) |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-worst-of-akshay-kumar/20111128.htm#1 |access-date=8 November 2014 |work=Rediff.com |date=28 November 2011 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014194832/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-worst-of-akshay-kumar/20111128.htm#1 |url-status=live}} The following year he starred in Abbas Mustan-directed suspense thriller, Khiladi, widely considered his breakthrough role.{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/movie-review-khiladi-786-is-a-leave-your-brains-at-home-kinda-comedy-550305.html |title=Movie review: Khiladi 786 is a leave-your-brains-at-home kinda comedy |work=Firstpost |publisher=Network 18 |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227131345/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/movie-review-khiladi-786-is-a-leave-your-brains-at-home-kinda-comedy-550305.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar- The Khiladi superstar |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/akshay-kumar-the-khiladi-star_203.html |publisher=Zee News |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053610/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/akshay-kumar-the-khiladi-star_203.html |url-status=live}} A review in The Indian Express called the film "an engrossing thriller" and described Kumar as impressive in the lead part, noting his physical appearance, strong screen presence, and commending him for being "perfectly at ease".{{cite news |author1=PR |title=Engrossing Thriller |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j39lAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7 |access-date=31 October 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=10 July 1992 |language=en |quote=In the lead role Akshay Kumar is impressive as Raaj. Tall, with a good physique and a strong screen presence, he is perfectly at ease. |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126173126/https://books.google.com/books?id=j39lAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}} His next release was the Raj Sippy-directed detective film Mr. Bond, based on James Bond.{{cite news |title=Bombay Bond – Akshay Kumar to play lead in Raj Sippy's film Mr Bond |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-to-play-lead-in-raj-sippy-film-mr-bond/1/318818.html |access-date=8 November 2014 |work=India Today |date=30 September 1991 |archive-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113040429/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-to-play-lead-in-raj-sippy-film-mr-bond/1/318818.html |url-status=live}} His last release of 1992 was Deedar. It failed to perform well at the box office.{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=V S |title=Akki up front |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/aug/10akki.htm |access-date=8 November 2014 |work=Rediff.com |date=11 August 1998 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123351/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/aug/10akki.htm |url-status=live}}

In 1993, he acted in the Keshu Ramsay-directed bilingual film Ashaant alongside Dr. Vishnuvardhan and Ashwini Bhave. Almost all of his films released during 1993, including Dil Ki Baazi, Kayda Kanoon and Sainik did not perform well commercially. In 1994, he appeared in 11 feature films.{{cite news |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/4327 |title=After 20 years, Akshay to set new record with Special Chabbis |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=22 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203064510/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/4327 |archive-date=3 December 2013}} He played a police inspector in two films: Sameer Malkan's Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Rajiv Rai's Mohra, both among the highest-grossing films of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=200&catName=MTk5NA== |title=Box Office 1994 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040854/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=200&catName=MTk5NA%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=dfc0170bd04e78fc807ed337537b9c9f |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} Further success came later that year when he starred in Yash Chopra-produced romance Yeh Dillagi, opposite Kajol. One of the year's biggest mainstream successes, both the film and his performance were received well by critics, with The Indian Express describing him as "always dependable" and singling out his performance.{{cite news |author1=PR |title=Gentle comedy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nX1lAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6 |access-date=31 October 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=3 June 1994 |pages=6 |language=en |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126173124/https://books.google.com/books?id=nX1lAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}} His work in the film earned him his first nomination for Best Actor at the Filmfare Awards{{cite news |title=The nominations-1994 |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103094834/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=27 August 2014}} and the Screen Awards.{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar, the Entertainment Khiladi, Turns 47 (Slide 6) |work=NDTVMovies.com |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/photos/akshay-kumar-the-entertainment-khiladi-turns-47-15948/slide/6 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009144427/http://movies.ndtv.com/photos/akshay-kumar-the-entertainment-khiladi-turns-47-15948/slide/6 |url-status=live}} During the same year, Kumar also had success with films like Suhaag and the low-budget action film Elaan. All these achievements established Kumar as one of the most successful actors of the year, according to Box Office India.{{cite web |publisher=Box Office India |title=Top Actor |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |access-date=14 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080323030211/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors&PHPSESSID=7ad4adadd9d256d7d66d404f22e56d40| archive-date= 23 March 2008 | url-status=dead}}

Kumar proved to have success with what later became known as the Khiladi series. He starred in the fourth and fifth action thriller films with Khiladi in the title: Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), both directed by Umesh Mehra and released to commercial success. He played a dual role in the former.{{cite web |title=Box Office 1995 |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=201&catName=MTk5NQ== |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040900/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=201&catName=MTk5NQ%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=dfc0170bd04e78fc807ed337537b9c9f |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi co-starred Rekha and Raveena Tandon.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=202&catName=MTk5Ng== |title=Box Office 1996 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040905/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=202&catName=MTk5Ng%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=dfc0170bd04e78fc807ed337537b9c9f |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} During the film's shooting Kumar was injured, and went on to receive treatment in United States.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar, the Entertainment Khiladi, Turns 47 (Slide 8) |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/photos/akshay-kumar-the-entertainment-khiladi-turns-47-15948/slide/8 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009142407/http://movies.ndtv.com/photos/akshay-kumar-the-entertainment-khiladi-turns-47-15948/slide/8 |url-status=live}} Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express wrote in a year-end review, "It was Akshay Kumar in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi who packed the aisles, no doubt about it... He shoved his hair back in a slick little ponytail, much like Steven Seagal, wore ankle-length great coats, wrestled with the fearsome Undertaker, and walked away with the film."{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shubhra |title=Formula Fatigue |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961006/28050762.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970424094007/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19961006/28050762.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 April 1997 |access-date=20 April 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=24 April 1997}}

Kumar played a supporting role in Yash Chopra-directed musical romantic drama, Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, for which he received his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1997 |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368659.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709173248/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368659.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 June 2014}} In the same year, he starred opposite Juhi Chawla in David Dhawan-directed comedy Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, fifth instalment of the Khiladi series. Unlike his previous films of the series, it failed commercially.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=203&catName=MTk5Nw== |title=Box Office 1997 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040910/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=203&catName=MTk5Nw%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=dfc0170bd04e78fc807ed337537b9c9f |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} Considerable success, however, came with another dual role in the romantic action film Aflatoon. Khalid Mohamed of Filmfare, while critical of the film, approved of Kumar's effort: "Akshay Kumar comes to life. Given something even slightly different to do, he does rise to the occasion."{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |title=Hiss Story |url=http://www.filmfare.com/site/btalkies/bomb2.htm |work=Filmfare |publisher=Times Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991001170900/http://www.filmfare.com/site/btalkies/bomb2.htm |archive-date=1 October 1999}} His following releases failed in commercial terms and this caused a setback to his film career.{{cite news |title=I started my career with B-grade films: Akshay Kumar |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2012/akshay-kumar-b-grade-films-096240.html |publisher=Oneindia.in |access-date=17 June 2014 |date=5 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715043640/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2012/akshay-kumar-b-grade-films-096240.html |archive-date=15 July 2014}} In 1999, Kumar played opposite Twinkle Khanna in International Khiladi. The film did not do well at the box office.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=205&catName=MTk5OQ== |title=Box Office 1999 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040915/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=205&catName=MTk5OQ%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=dfc0170bd04e78fc807ed337537b9c9f |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} He received critical acclaim for his roles in the films Sangharsh and Jaanwar. While the former did not make a profit at the box office, the latter turned out to be a commercial success and marked his comeback.{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/happy-birthday-akshay-kumar-bollywoods-khiladi-turns-46/#b_id_417845_akshaysangharshjanwar |title=Happy Birthday Akshay Kumar: Bollywood's Khiladi turns 46 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Group |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810223720/http://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/happy-birthday-akshay-kumar-bollywoods-khiladi-turns-46/#b_id_417845_akshaysangharshjanwar |url-status=live}}

In 2000, Kumar starred in the Priyadarshan-directed comedy Hera Pheri alongside Paresh Rawal and Suneil Shetty. The film which was a remake of Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking,{{cite news |title=Siddique's not teaming up with Priyadarshan for Hera Pheri 3 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news-and-interviews/Siddiques-not-teaming-up-with-Priyadarshan-for-Hera-Pheri-3/articleshow/18046718.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=17 January 2013 |archive-date=14 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914025139/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news-and-interviews/Siddiques-not-teaming-up-with-Priyadarshan-for-Hera-Pheri-3/articleshow/18046718.cms |url-status=live}} became a commercial success{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=206&catName=MjAwMA== |title=Box Office 2000 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323090246/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=206&catName=MjAwMA%3D%3D |archive-date=23 March 2008 |url-status=dead}} and proved to be a turning point in Kumar's career.{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Akshay Kumar teams up with Priyadarshan again |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2508177/Akshay-Kumar-teams-up-with-Priyadarshan-again |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=23 May 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903143717/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2508177/Akshay-Kumar-teams-up-with-Priyadarshan-again |url-status=dead}} Hindustan Times noted the film's "intense portrayal of the surreality of the human condition".{{cite news |author=Kumar Choudhury, Arnab |date=2000 |url=http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewsbollywoodhp.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609181551/http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewsbollywoodhp.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 June 2001 |access-date=19 April 2020 |title=Hera Pheri |newspaper=Hindustan Times}} He also starred in the Dharmesh Darshan-directed romantic drama Dhadkan later that same year. The film performed moderately at the box office but Kumar was praised for his acting.{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Padmaraj |title=The good ol' 60s revisited |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20000818/freview.htm#dha |access-date=19 April 2020 |work=Screen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021007002208/http://www.screenindia.com/20000818/freview.htm#dha |date=18 August 2000 |archive-date=7 October 2002}}{{cite news |last1=Raheja |first1=Dinesh |author-link1=Dinesh Raheja |title=Dhadkan — Misses a beat |url=http://movies.india-today.com/reviews/reviewdhadkan.shtml |access-date=9 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010222060827/http://movies.india-today.com/reviews/reviewdhadkan.shtml |archive-date=22 February 2001}} Rediff.com{{'}}s review stated that he had proved that he is "director's actor" and that "he has worked hard on his role is apparent."{{cite web |title=The Dhadkan review |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/11dhad.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903114811/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/11dhad.htm |url-status=live}} That same year, he performed some of his most dangerous stunts in Neeraj Vora-directed action thriller Khiladi 420, where he climbed a running plane, stood on top of the plane flying a thousand feet in the air, and jumped from the plane onto a hot air balloon. In a later scene, he is also seen being chased by a car, dodging bullets, jumping off buildings, and climbing walls.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar's Top 5 Stunts |publisher=DesiHits |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/akshay-kumar-s-top-5-stunts-20100616 |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230148/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/akshay-kumar-s-top-5-stunts-20100616 |archive-date=2 December 2013}} His character in the film had two names and his role received mixed reviews.{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie review: Khiladi 420 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201884 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=30 December 2000 |archive-date=16 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816095022/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201884 |url-status=dead}} Sukanya Verma wrote "Negative roles and Akshay Kumar don't go hand-in-hand. [...] Akshay is ridiculously over the top and irritating to the core. However, he manages a decent performance as the sober and suave Anand."{{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=Action?Thriller |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/29khil.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=29 December 2000 |archive-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315075447/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/29khil.htm |url-status=live}} Padmaraj Nair of Screen, however, believed it was "the best performance of his career".{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Padmaraj |title=Desi version of Surrogate Mother |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010112/review.htm |access-date=19 April 2020 |work=Screen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021206160451/http://www.screenindia.com/20010112/review.htm |date=12 January 2001 |archive-date=6 December 2002}}

His first release in 2001 was Suneel Darshan-directed drama Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love. Kumar was praised for his performance in the film.{{cite web |last1=Someshwar |first1=Savera R |title=Movie review: Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/may/18rish.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=18 May 2001 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125229/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/may/18rish.htm |url-status=live}} Next, he played a negative role in the Abbas Mustan-directed film Ajnabee.{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a572942/akshay-kumar-i-want-to-do-more-villain-roles.html |title=Akshay Kumar: 'I want to do more villain roles' |work=Digital Spy |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810103652/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a572942/akshay-kumar-i-want-to-do-more-villain-roles.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Happy Birthday Akshay Kumar: Bollywood's Khiladi turns 46 |url=http://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/happy-birthday-akshay-kumar-bollywoods-khiladi-turns-46/#b_id_417843_akshayaankheinajnabee |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Group |access-date=3 August 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810223720/http://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/happy-birthday-akshay-kumar-bollywoods-khiladi-turns-46/#b_id_417843_akshayaankheinajnabee |url-status=live}} While reviewing the film for Rediff.com, Sarita Tanwar termed Kumar the "surprise package" of the film. She added that he was "in total control as the bad guy."{{cite web |last=Tanwar |first=Sarita |title=The Rediff Review: Ajnabee |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/sep/20ajna.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417233043/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/sep/20ajna.htm |archive-date=17 April 2009}} The film won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Villain and IIFA award 2002 for Performance in a Negative Role.{{cite web |url=http://www.iifa.com/city_malaysia.php |title=IIFA 2002 |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528050050/http://www.iifa.com/city_malaysia.php |archive-date=28 May 2012}}{{cite news |title=The Winners – 2001 – The 51st Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368739.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709023301/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368739.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 August 2014}}

File:Akshay Kumar in Sydney for Heyy Babyy.jpg in Sydney, 2007]]

His first release in 2002 was Dharmesh Darshan-directed romantic drama Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya. He played the role as a blind man in Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Shaarang Dev Pandit-directed heist film Aankhen, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Aditya Pancholi, Sushmita Sen and Paresh Rawal. His performance in the film was critically acclaimed.{{cite web |title=Aankhen |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/735/Aankhen |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=27 August 2014 |date=5 April 2002 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810164130/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/735/Aankhen |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Aankhen takes you on a roller-coaster ride |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/films/reviews/a_f/aankhen-review.shtml |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 August 2014 |date=12 April 2002 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028234118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/films/reviews/a_f/aankhen-review.shtml |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Ganapati |first1=Priya |title=Movie review: Aankhen |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/apr/05aank.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=5 April 2002 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130453/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/apr/05aank.htm |url-status=live}} Next, he starred in the Vikram Bhatt-directed comedy Awara Paagal Deewana. Rediff.com's review of the film mentioned that his sincerity and intensity seen in Hera Pheri, Ek Rishtaa – The Bond of Love and Aankhen "seems missing".{{cite web |author=Anjum, N |title=Akshay, Sunil, Aftab's star power fails, Paresh Rawal steals the show |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jun/21apd.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=21 June 2002 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141728/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jun/21apd.htm |url-status=live}} His last film of the year was Rajkumar Kohli-directed supernatural horror film {{lang|hi-latn|Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani}} alongside Manisha Koirala, Sunil Shetty, Sunny Deol, Aftab Shivdasani, Arshad Warsi, Aditya Pancholi and Armaan Kohli. The film was a remake of Kohli's former film Naagin and received mostly negative reviews from critics.{{cite web |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Ronjita |title=Jaani Dushman – Ek Anokhi torture |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/aug/17jaani.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=17 August 2002 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512084737/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/aug/17jaani.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Movie Review: Jaani Dushman – Ek Anokhi Kahani |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/preview.php?ctid=5&cid=2425&id=11829641 |website=Sify |access-date=28 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908073530/http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/preview.php?ctid=5&cid=2425&id=11829641 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |url-status=dead}} Taran Adarsh wrote "only Munish[Armaan] Kohli and Akshay Kumar leave an impact."{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie review: Jaani Dushman |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/539470 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=16 August 2002 |archive-date=19 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719083537/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/539470 |url-status=dead}} In 2003, he starred in Suneel Darshan's action film Talaash: The Hunt Begins... opposite Kareena Kapoor. While reviewing the film, Taran Adarsh wrote "Akshay Kumar is plain mediocre. The role hardly offers him scope to try out anything different."{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie review: Talaash... The Hunt Begins |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/923/Talaash...%20The%20Hunt%20Begins |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=3 January 2003 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903143630/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/923/Talaash...%20The%20Hunt%20Begins |url-status=dead}} Next, he starred in Raj Kanwar-directed romantic drama Andaaz alongside Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra. The film received mixed reviews from critics,{{cite web |last1=Magotra |first1=Ashish |title='Andaaz': Flight to boredom |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/23andaaz.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=24 May 2003 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227100804/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/23andaaz.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Kunal |title=Andaaz: Old story, fresh faces |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/andaaz-old-story-fresh-faces-review-bollywood-13157317.html |website=Sify |access-date=30 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329142128/http://www.sify.com/movies/andaaz-old-story-fresh-faces-review-bollywood-13157317.html |archive-date=29 March 2014}} but turned out to be a commercial success at the box office and the first universal hit of 2003.{{cite web |title=Box Office 2003 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMw== |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=30 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121000737/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMw%3D%3D |archive-date=21 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title='Andaaz' Celebrations: Rocking |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/news/type/view/id/1192968 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=29 August 2003 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016185910/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/news/type/view/id/1192968 |url-status=dead}}

In 2004 Kumar starred in Rajkumar Santoshi's action drama thriller Khakee alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Aishwarya Rai. Kumar played the role of Inspector Shekhar Verma, a corrupt, morally bankrupt cop who changes himself during a mission to transfer an accused Pakistani spy Dr. Iqbal Ansari (played by Atul Kulkarni) from a remote town in Maharashtra to Mumbai. The film and Kumar's acting were positively reviewed by critics.{{cite news |title=Khakee |url=http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2004/02/06/stories/2004020601230302.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu Group |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=6 February 2004 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2004/02/06/stories/2004020601230302.htm |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=Khakee is money's worth. What more do you want? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jan/23khakee.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=24 January 2004 |archive-date=25 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125031352/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jan/23khakee.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Elley |first1=Derek |title=Review: 'Khakee' |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/khakee-1200536726/ |work=Variety |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904174851/http://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/khakee-1200536726/ |url-status=live}} He was nominated for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in the film.{{cite web |last1=Roy |first1=Deb |title=10 Best Action Movies of Akshay Kumar (Slide 1) |date=15 October 2013 |url=http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/top-10s/20760-10-best-action-movies-of-akshay-kumar-p1.html |publisher=MensXP.com |access-date=5 October 2014 |archive-date=12 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912191002/http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/top-10s/20760-10-best-action-movies-of-akshay-kumar-p1.html |url-status=live}} His other releases included Dileep Shukla's crime film Police Force: An Inside Story. He starred alongside Raveena Tandon, Amrish Puri and Raj Babbar. The film's production was delayed following the break-up of the lead actors Tandon and Kumar.{{cite web |title=Akki, Raveena join forces! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/13look.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=16 February 2004 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903120622/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/13look.htm |url-status=live}} Upon release it received negative reviews from critics.{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie review : Police Force |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/956/Police%20Force |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=28 May 2004 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903144811/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/956/Police%20Force |url-status=dead}} Next, Kumar played Hari Om Patnaik, an IPS officer in Madhur Bhandarkar-directed Aan: Men at Work.{{cite web |last1=Fernandes |first1=Vivek |title=Akshay: It's payback time! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/27akshay.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=27 May 2004 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903120631/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/27akshay.htm |url-status=live}} He starred in David Dhawan-directed romantic comedy Mujhse Shaadi Karogi alongside Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra. He played the role of Sunny, Sameer (played by Khan)'s roommate who pursuits Rani (played by Chopra)-Sameer's love interest. The film received positive reviews.{{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title='Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' is another 'Main Hoon Na' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jul/30mujhse.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=30 July 2004 |archive-date=1 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101214911/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jul/30mujhse.htm |url-status=live}} Taran Adarsh praised Kumar and wrote "Akshay Kumar is a revelation [...] he surpasses his previous work. His timing is fantastic and the conviction with which he carries off the evil streak in his personality is bound to be talked-about in days to come."{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Mujhse Shaadi Karogi |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54557 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=28 July 2004 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075221/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54557 |url-status=dead}} His performance in the film earned him his third nomination for supporting actor at the Filmfare Awards as well as a nomination for best comic role.{{cite web |title=Nominees of 50th Filmfare Awards- The 51st Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1021384.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710013930/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1021384.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=27 August 2014}} His other films included Abbas-Mustan directed Aitraaz and S M Iqbal's Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin. In the former, Kumar played against type as a worker wrongly accused of sexual harassment by his female boss played by Chopra. According to the directors, Aitraaz was inspired by National Basketball Association player Kobe Bryant (who was accused of rape by a fan);{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar plays a rapist! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Akshay-Kumar-plays-a-rapist-news-bollywood-kkfvKIjbegi.html |website=Sify |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=13 July 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054739/http://www.sify.com/movies/Akshay-Kumar-plays-a-rapist-news-bollywood-kkfvKIjbegi.html |archive-date=7 January 2016}} and the film's development began when they read about his sexual-assault case in the newspapers.{{cite web |title=Akshay has a lot of experience: Abbas-Mustan |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/interview.php?id=13606747&cid=2398 |website=Sify |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=8 November 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054739/http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/interview.php?id=13606747&cid=2398 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=dead}} Talking about the character Kumar said that it is realistic and could be described as a "new-age metrosexual" man. He added that Aitraaz was the boldest film he had done.{{cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |title='Aitraaz' is my boldest film: Akshay Kumar |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/interview.php?id=13609029&cid=2398 |website=Sify |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=12 November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054739/http://www.sify.com/movies/bollywood/interview.php?id=13609029&cid=2398 |archive-date=7 January 2016}} In the latter, he starred opposite Sridevi. The film was shot in 1994 but was released in 2004 after a delay of 10 years.

The next year Kumar starred in Dharmesh Darshan-directed romantic drama musical film Bewafaa (2005) opposite Kareena Kapoor. He played the role of Raja, an aspiring musician who pursues his love interest Anjali (played by Kareena Kapoor) even after she is married to Aditya Sahai (played by Anil Kapoor). The film received mixed reviews from film critic but Kumar was praised for his acting. Anupama Chopra of India Today wrote that "Kareena Kapoor and Kumar stand out." Taran Adarsh wrote "Akshay Kumar does well in a role that fits him like a glove."{{cite web |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |title=Old refashioned |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-bewafaa-starring-anil-kapoor-akshay-kumar-kareena-kapoor/1/194289.html |work=India Today |access-date=7 September 2014 |date=14 March 2005 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907155805/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-bewafaa-starring-anil-kapoor-akshay-kumar-kareena-kapoor/1/194289.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie Review : Bewafaa |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bewafaa-review-bollywood-13680719.html |website=Sify |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-date=12 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912130317/http://www.sify.com/movies/bewafaa-review-bollywood-13680719.html |url-status=dead}} Later that year he acted in Vipul Amrutlal Shah's family drama Waqt: The Race Against Time alongside Amitabh Bachchan, another Priyadarshan-directed comedy Garam Masala alongside John Abraham. Waqt: The Race Against Time was a family drama film. The film and Kumar's acting received mixed reviews.{{cite web |last1=Pandohar |first1=Jaspreet |title=Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/04/20/waqt_2005_review.shtml |publisher=BBC |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=14 April 2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006152845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/04/20/waqt_2005_review.shtml | archive-date=6 October 2009}} Vishal D'Souza wrote "Akshay shoulders an author-backed role, carrying more of the film's emotional baggage though he is distinctly uncomfortable in the soppy-weepy scenes."{{cite web |last1=D'Souza |first1=Vishal |title=Waqt loses the race |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/apr/22waqt.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 August 2014 |date=22 April 2005 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020024131/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/apr/22waqt.htm |url-status=live}} The films succeeded at the box office{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=210&catName=MjAwNA== |title=Box Office 2004 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404040700/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=210&catName=MjAwNA%3D%3D |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=211&catName=MjAwNQ== |title=Box Office 2005 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404041634/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=211&catName=MjAwNQ%3D%3D |archive-date=4 April 2008 |url-status=dead}} and his performance in the latter earned him his second Filmfare Award, for Best Comedian. His other films included Vikram Bhatt-directed action comedy romance film Deewane Huye Paagal and Suneel Darshan directed romantic drama Dosti: Friends Forever. In the former he starred alongside Shahid Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Rimi Sen while in the latter he starred alongside Kareena Kapoor and Bobby Deol. Both of these films received positive reviews.{{cite web |last1=N |first1=Patcy |title=Deewane Hue Paagal: Good fun |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/nov/25dhp.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=7 September 2014 |date=25 November 2005 |archive-date=27 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127105831/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/nov/25dhp.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Movie Review : Dosti – Friends Forever |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/review.php?id=14056806&ctid=5&cid=2425 |website=Sify |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912213501/http://www.sify.com/movies/review.php?id=14056806&ctid=5&cid=2425 |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Kumar's first release of 2006 was Rajkumar Santoshi-directed drama Family – Ties of Blood followed by Suneel Darshan's Mere Jeevan Saathi and Raj Kanwar's Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. Next, he starred in a sequel to Hera Pheri titled Phir Hera Pheri. As was the former, the sequel became a huge success at the box office.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg== |title=Box Office 2006 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221095752/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg%3D%3D |archive-date=21 February 2008 |url-status=dead}} Later that year he starred alongside Salman Khan and Preity Zinta in the Shirish Kunder-directed romantic musical film Jaan-E-Mann. The film was a well anticipated release, and despite receiving positive reviews from critics, did not do as well as expected at the box office. The film received mostly negatively reviews. Vidya Pradhan of Rediff.com called it a "bizarre movie."{{cite web |last1=Pradhan |first1=Vidya |title=Jaan-E-Mann is a bizarre movie |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23jaan.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=7 September 2014 |date=23 October 2006 |archive-date=13 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013232214/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23jaan.htm |url-status=live}} Though the film under-performed, his role as a shy, lovable nerd was praised.{{cite web |author=Adarsh, Taran |publisher=IndiaFM |title=Jaan-E-Mann Review |url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12573/index.html |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=14 April 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070403101903/http://indiafm.com/movies/review/12573/index.html| archive-date= 3 April 2007 | url-status=dead}} He ended the year with Priyadarshan's comedy murder mystery film Bhagam Bhag. He starred alongside Lara Dutta, Govinda and Paresh Rawal and played the character of a theatre actor. The film received mixed reviews and Rediff.com called Kumar the real hero of the film.{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Gullu |title=Bhagam Bhag: Akshay top, Govinda flop |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/22bb.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=7 September 2014 |date=22 December 2006 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143637/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/22bb.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |title=Bhagam Bhaag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/bhagam-bhaag/movie-review/903798.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2014 |date=22 December 2006 |archive-date=8 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108020548/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Bhagam-Bhaag/movie-review/903798.cms |url-status=live}} The film was commercially successful. The same year, he led the Heat 2006 world tour along with fellow stars Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar & Preity Zinta in Bollywood New York Shows for Aron Govil Productions |date=10 March 2006 |url=http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=9273 |publisher=Business Wire India |access-date=14 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323185651/http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=9273 |archive-date=23 March 2006}}

File:Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar on the set of Namastey London.jpg on the sets of the film Namastey London in 2007]]

File:Akshay & Katrina on the sets of Welcome.jpg on the sets of Welcome in 2007]]

2007 proved to be Kumar's most successful year during his career in the industry, and as described by box office analysts, "probably the best ever recorded by an actor, with four outright hits and no flops."{{cite news |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=42&nCat=news |title=The Toppers of 2007 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115082127/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=42&nCat=news |archive-date=15 January 2008}}{{cite news |title=I am kind to everyone, but trust no one: Akshay Kumar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-kind-to-everyone-but-trust-no-one-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/9779766.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=21 August 2014 |date=29 August 2011 |archive-date=17 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917030748/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-kind-to-everyone-but-trust-no-one-Akshay-Kumar/articleshow/9779766.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Somen |title=Akshay Kumar crowned 2007 King of Bollywood |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-crowned-2007-king-of-bollywood/55446-8.html |access-date=6 November 2014 |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=2 January 2008 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113014759/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-crowned-2007-king-of-bollywood/55446-8.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Mauli |last2=Shah |first2=Jigar |title=Khiladi is King |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/khiladi-is-king/article3023231.ece |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu Group |date=15 August 2008 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/khiladi-is-king/article3023231.ece |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Akshay- the undisputed king of Bollywood, bags Rs 72 crore deal |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-the-undisputed-king-of-bollywood-bags-rs72-crore-deal_8541.html |access-date=6 November 2014 |publisher=Zee News |date=22 August 2008 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=6 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106184944/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-the-undisputed-king-of-bollywood-bags-rs72-crore-deal_8541.html |url-status=live}} His first release, Vipul Amrutlal Shah-directed Namastey London, was critically and commercially successful, and his performance earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare. Critic Taran Adarsh wrote of his performance in the film, "he's sure to win the hearts of millions of moviegoers with a terrific portrayal in this film."{{cite news |author=Adarsh, Taran |url=http://indiafm.com/movies/review/12835/index.html |title=Review of Namastey London |date=23 March 2007 |access-date=5 April 2007 |publisher=IndiaFM| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070405202710/http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12835/index.html| archive-date= 5 April 2007}} Kumar's chemistry with lead actress Katrina Kaif also generated immense appreciation, with Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India describing their pairing as "refreshing."{{cite news |last=Kazmi |first=Nikhat |title=Namastey London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/namastey-london/movie-review/1802925.cms |access-date=21 August 2014 |work=The Times of India |date=24 March 2007 |archive-date=22 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222013623/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Namastey-London/movie-review/1802925.cms |url-status=live}} His next two releases, Sajid Khan-directed Heyy Babyy and Priyadarshan's Bhool Bhulaiyaa, were box office successes as well.{{cite web |author=Adarsh, Taran |title=Top 5: 'Dhamaal' average, 'Darling' slumps! |url=http://www.indiafm.com/trade/top5/380.html |date=15 September 2007 |access-date=14 March 2008 |publisher=IndiaFM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033244/http://indiafm.com/trade/top5/380.html |archive-date=15 October 2007}}{{cite web |author=Adarsh, Taran |title=Top 5: 'J.W.M.' steady, despite pre-Diwali dull phase |url=http://www.indiafm.com/trade/top5/396.html |date=10 November 2007 |publisher=IndiaFM |access-date=10 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071115221205/http://www.indiafm.com/trade/top5/396.html| archive-date= 15 November 2007}} In both of these films he starred opposite Vidya Balan. Kumar's last release of the year, the Anees Bazmee-directed Welcome, did extremely well at the box office, receiving a blockbuster status and simultaneously becoming his fifth successive hit.{{cite web |publisher=IndiaFM |author=Adarsh, Taran |title=Midweek: 'Welcome', 'TZP' continue to rock! |url=http://www.indiafm.com/trade/top5/411.html |date=1 January 2008 |access-date=1 January 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080108131929/http://www.indiafm.com/trade/top5/411.html| archive-date= 8 January 2008}} All of Kumar's films which released that year did well in the overseas market as well.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=overseas_earners |title=Overseas Earnings (Figures in Ind Rs) |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080317191849/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=overseas_earners&PHPSESSID=b754628e151e869b2426dfd035eb7581| archive-date= 17 March 2008}} Kumar appeared in a cameo role in Farah Khan directed Om Shanti Om. His role was listed as no. 3 on the Top 10 Cameos in Bollywood list of MensXP.com.{{cite news |last1=Saikia |first1=Priyankee |title=Top 10 Cameos in Bollywood |url=http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/9378-top-10-cameos-in-bollywood.html |publisher=MensXP.com |access-date=28 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903213729/http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/9378-top-10-cameos-in-bollywood.html |url-status=live}}

Kumar's first film of 2008, Vijay Krishna Acharya-directed action thriller Tashan, marked his comeback to the Yash Raj Films banner after 11 years. Although a poll (conducted by Bollywood Hungama) named it the most anticipated release of the year,{{cite news |url=http://oldbh.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2008/02/08/3550/index.html |title=The Most Awaited movies of 2008 |access-date=19 May 2009 |date=8 February 2008 |website=Bollywood Hungama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126145213/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2008/02/08/3550/index.html |archive-date=26 January 2009}} the film under-performed at the box office grossing {{INRConvert|279|m|year=2009|mode=historical}} in India.{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA== |title=Box Office 2008 |access-date=20 January 2009 |publisher=Box Office India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012165321/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA%3D%3D |archive-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=dead}} His second film, Bazmee-directed Singh Is Kinng in which he starred opposite Kaif was a huge success at the box office and broke the first-week worldwide record of Om Shanti Om, the previous highest figure.{{Cite news |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA== |title=Box Office 2008 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=28 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115083431/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA%3D%3D |archive-date=15 January 2008 |url-status=dead}} His next film was the animated film Jumbo, directed by Kompin Kemgumnird. The year also saw Kumar making his small screen debut as the host of the successful show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. He later returned to host the show's second season in 2009.{{cite news |last1=Khanna |first1=Niyati |title=Tracing The Journey of Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi; Season 5 Back with a Bang |url=http://businessofcinema.com/tele/tracing-journey-fear-factor-khatron-ke-khiladi-season-5-back-bang/131637 |work=Business of Cinema |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901011825/http://businessofcinema.com/tele/tracing-journey-fear-factor-khatron-ke-khiladi-season-5-back-bang/131637 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Priyanka Chopra to host 'Fear Factor, Season 3' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article202006.ece |work=The New Indian Express |publisher=Express Publications |access-date=28 August 2014 |date=8 August 2010 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814175144/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article202006.ece |url-status=dead}}

In 2009, Kumar featured opposite Deepika Padukone in the Warner Bros. and Rohan Sippy production Chandni Chowk to China. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the film was a critical and commercial failure at the box office.{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |title=Chandni Chowk to China |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/chandni-chowk-to-china/movie-review/3985572.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=15 January 2009 |archive-date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109045851/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Chandni-Chowk-to-China/movie-review/3985572.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Raja |title=Hindi Chini Why Why? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/16review-chandni-chowk-to-china.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=16 January 2009 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810192814/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/16review-chandni-chowk-to-china.htm |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=791&nCat=news |title=Ten Releases Five Disasters |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=5 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213174227/http://boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=791&nCat=news |archive-date=13 February 2009}} Kumar's next release was 8 x 10 Tasveer, an action-thriller directed by Nagesh Kukunoor that failed commercially. His next release was Sabbir Khan's battle-of-the-sexes comedy Kambakkht Ishq. Set in Los Angeles, it was the first Indian film to be shot at Universal Studios and featured cameo appearances by Hollywood actors.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archived-stories/nadiadwala-takes-akshay-kumar-to-hollywood/article1-282116.aspx |title=Nadiadwala takes Akshay Kumar to Hollywood |access-date=27 May 2012 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=14 March 2008 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023121936/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archived-stories/nadiadwala-takes-akshay-kumar-to-hollywood/article1-282116.aspx |archive-date=23 October 2013}} The film was poorly received by critics but became an economic success, earning over {{INRConvert|840|m|year=2009|mode=historical}} worldwide. Kumar's film Blue was released on 16 October 2009. Blue received negative reviews and collected about ₹ 420 million at the box office.{{cite news |last1=Pal |first1=Chandrima |title=Blue: Blistering Barnacles! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/movie-review-blue/20091016.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=8 September 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908155204/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/movie-review-blue/20091016.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |title=Blue |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/blue-442 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908181441/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/blue-442 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Chopra |first1=Sonia |title=Review: Blue is a damp squib |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/review-blue-is-a-damp-squib-review-bollywood-14915122.html |website=Sify |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=12 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912215043/http://www.sify.com/movies/review-blue-is-a-damp-squib-review-bollywood-14915122.html |url-status=dead}} His last release in 2009 was Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan. He starred alongside Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal. Kumar played a servant who plans to kidnap his owner's dog. The film received mixed reviews.{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=De Dana Dan |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/502796 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=27 November 2009 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016185857/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/502796 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |title=De Dana Dan |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/de-dana-dan-458 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=27 November 2009 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908181444/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/de-dana-dan-458 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |title=De Dana Dan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/de-dana-dan/movie-review/5272173.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=26 November 2009 |archive-date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109053246/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/De-Dana-Dan/movie-review/5272173.cms |url-status=live}}

He then appeared in the 2010 comedy, Housefull, directed by Sajid Khan which garnered the second-highest opening weekend collection of all time.{{cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/may/03/housefull-gets-biggest-opening-since-3-idiots.htm |title=Housefull gets biggest opening since 3 Idiots |author=Vinod Marani |date=3 May 2010 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=17 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100516143917/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/may/03/housefull-gets-biggest-opening-since-3-idiots.htm| archive-date= 16 May 2010}} Kumar's next release was Khatta Meetha, directed by Priyadarshan which was an average grosser. The film received negative reviews.{{cite web |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Khatta Meetha |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/khatta-meetha-review-this-satire-is-far-from-meetha-review-bollywood-14950664.html |website=Sify |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=12 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912213533/http://www.sify.com/movies/khatta-meetha-review-this-satire-is-far-from-meetha-review-bollywood-14950664.html |url-status=dead}} Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN called it a schizophrenic film.{{cite news |last1=Masand |first1=Rajeev |title=Masand: 'Khatta Meetha', a schizophrenic film |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-khatta-meetha-a-schizophrenic-film/127366-47.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=31 July 2010 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908171847/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-khatta-meetha-a-schizophrenic-film/127366-47.html |url-status=dead}}

He also appeared in Vipul Shah's Action Replayy, which was a box office failure.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2201&nCat=box_office_news%E2%80%9D |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Box Office India |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120329011947/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2201&nCat=box_office_news%E2%80%9D |archive-date=29 March 2012}} The film received mostly negative reviews.{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |title=Action Replayy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/action-replayy/movie-review/6871125.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=4 November 2010 |archive-date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109061919/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Action-Replayy/movie-review/6871125.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Shekhar |first1=Mayank |title=Mayank Shekhar's review: Action Replayy |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-action-replayy/article1-622338.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=4 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116144133/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-action-replayy/article1-622338.aspx |archive-date=16 January 2014}} His last film of 2010 was Tees Maar Khan. Directed by Farah Khan, the film received poor critical reviews but became moderately successful.{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Renuka |title=Review: Tees Maar Khan is not worth even a free ticket |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-tees-maar-khan-is-not-worth-even-a-free-ticket-1485367 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=8 September 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=23 December 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012223534/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-tees-maar-khan-is-not-worth-even-a-free-ticket-1485367 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |title=Tees Maar Khan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/tees-maar-khan/movie-review/7149954.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 September 2014 |date=23 December 2010 |archive-date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109060408/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Tees-Maar-Khan/movie-review/7149954.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-will-woo-katrina-kaif-on-screen-for-the-seventh-time-317005 |title=Akshay Kumar will woo Katrina Kaif on-screen for the seventh time |date=14 January 2013 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822124612/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-will-woo-katrina-kaif-on-screen-for-the-seventh-time-317005 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=76 |title=Tees Maar Khan |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016094420/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=76 |url-status=live}}

In 2011 he starred in Patiala House and Thank You. His last film of 2011 was Rohit Dhawan-directed Desi Boyz (2011), which co-starred John Abraham, Chitrangada Singh and Deepika Padukone. He also co-produced a film with Russell Peters titled Breakaway (dubbed into Hindi as Speedy Singhs) which is reminiscent of his own Patiala House.{{cite news |url=http://www.sawfnews.com/Bollywood/67040.aspx |title=Akshay Kumar, Russell Peters' Breakaway Gets Media Attention |publisher=Sawfnews.com |date=6 June 2011 |access-date=9 June 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608185615/http://www.sawfnews.com/Bollywood/67040.aspx |archive-date=8 June 2011}} Breakaway became the highest-grossing cross-cultural movie of 2011 in Canada. Kumar dubbed for the role of Optimus Prime in the Hindi version of Hollywood, action blockbuster, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. He took the dubbing role for his son, Aarav, and did so for free.{{cite news |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2011/07/29/bollywood-superstar-akshay-kumar-superhero-for-his-son/ |title=Bollywood Superstar, Akshay Kumar Superhero for his Son |work=Dubai Chronicle |access-date=29 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001073104/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2011/07/29/bollywood-superstar-akshay-kumar-superhero-for-his-son/ |archive-date=1 October 2011}}

File:Launch of the song 'Taang Uthake' from the film Housefull 3.jpg film series co-star Jacqueline Fernandez at the launch of the song "Taang Uthake" of Housefull 3 in 2016]]

His first release of 2012 was Housefull 2, a sequel of his earlier comedy film Housefull, which became a huge hit.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3|title=Housefull 2 (2012)|access-date=18 April 2024|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418150914/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3|url-status=live}} Kumar's next film was the Prabhudeva-directed action drama Rowdy Rathore in which he played a double role opposite Sonakshi Sinha.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Rowdy-Rathore-gets-thumbs-up-from-critics/Article1-864444.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |title=Rowdy Rathore gets thumbs up from critics |date=1 June 2012| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602064158/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Rowdy-Rathore-gets-thumbs-up-from-critics/Article1-864444.aspx |archive-date=2 June 2012}} The film earned more than {{INRConvert|1.3|b|year=2012|mode=historical}} in India. Both of these films grossed over {{INRconvert|1|b|year=2012|mode=historical}} at the box office.{{cite news |title=Barfi! joins INR1 billion club |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/446981/barfi-joins-inr1-billion-club/ |work=The Express Tribune |publisher=Lakson Group |access-date=29 July 2014 |date=4 October 2012 |archive-date=9 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809235140/http://tribune.com.pk/story/446981/barfi-joins-inr1-billion-club/ |url-status=live}} In 2012, he founded another production company called Grazing Goat Pictures Pvt Ltd.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar gets a Grazing Goat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Akshay-Kumar-gets-a-Grazing-Goat/articleshow/10901424.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=17 June 2014 |date=28 November 2011 |archive-date=11 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411125235/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Akshay-Kumar-gets-a-Grazing-Goat/articleshow/10901424.cms |url-status=live}}

Joker was reportedly promoted as Kumar's 100th film,{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/6933.html |title=First Look: Akshay Kumar's 100th film 'Joker' |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208202123/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/6933.html |archive-date=8 December 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/joker-trailer-to-release-with-cocktail-news-bollywood-mhirugfffdf.html?ref=false/ |title=Joker trailer to release with Cocktail |website=Sify |date=9 July 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124223124/http://www.sify.com/movies/joker-trailer-to-release-with-cocktail-news-bollywood-mhirugfffdf.html |archive-date=24 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jul/090712-Joker-trailer-to-release-with-Cocktail.htm/ |title='Joker' trailer to release with 'Cocktail' |work=Mid-Day |date=9 July 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710075757/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jul/090712-Joker-trailer-to-release-with-Cocktail.htm |archive-date=10 July 2012}} but later Akshay Kumar clarified that the 100th film landmark had been crossed long before he even signed up for Joker. "It was a miscalculation on Shirish's part. OMG is my 116th film," he said.{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/bollywood/akki%E2%80%99s-back-game-842 |title=Akki's back in the game |date=19 September 2012 |work=Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Deccan Chronicle Holdings |access-date=19 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920002835/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/bollywood/akki%E2%80%99s-back-game-842 |archive-date=20 September 2012}} Kumar kept himself away from the film's promotion due to differences with Kunder. Reacting to Kumar's backing out from the film's promotion Kunder tweeted "A true leader takes responsibility for his team and leads them through thick and thin. Never abandons them and runs away." He later deleted the tweet.{{cite news |title=Top 5 Reasons: Why Akshay Kumar fell out with Shirish Kunder |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/top-5-reasons-why-akshay-kumar-fell-out-with-shirish-kunder/article1-922431.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603073319/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/TOP-5-REASONS-Why-Akshay-Kumar-fell-out-with-Shirish-Kunder/Article1-922431.aspx |archive-date=3 June 2013 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |date=31 August 2012}} His later release Oh My God which he produced and starred along with Paresh Rawal. It had a slow opening, but because of positive word of mouth it picked up and emerged a superhit at the box office.{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=earnings |title=Box Office Earnings 28/09/12 – 04/10/12 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109170539/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=earnings |archive-date=9 November 2013}} His last release in 2012 was Khiladi 786, the eighth instalment in his famous Khiladi series as well as the comeback of the series after 12 years. Although film was panned by critics, it grossed 970 million worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1199|title=Khiladi 786|access-date=18 April 2024|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418150732/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1199|url-status=live}}

His first release in 2013 was Special 26 which earned a positive critical reception and was semi-hit at the box office. Although the movie earned him positive reviews and commercial success, trade analysts noted that the movie could have done much better business due to its good content and Kumar's high-profile. Milan Luthria chose Kumar to play the character of Shoaib Khan (based on Dawood Ibrahim) in the gangster film Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, sequel to Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. It proved to be a below average at the box office. The film was declared a "flop" by Box Office India.{{cite news |title=Satyagraha Average Opening Chennai Express Hits 200 Crore |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=6017&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903073357/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=6017&nCat= |archive-date=3 September 2013}} It received mixed reviews however Kumar's acting was praised by a majority of critics. In a review for Hindustan Times, Anupama Chopra wrote that Kumar "makes a stellar killer".{{cite news |first=Anupama |last=Chopra |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-once-upon-a-time-in-mumbaai-dobaara/article1-1108821.aspx |title=Anupama Chopra's review: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! |work=Hindustan Times |date=16 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817121535/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Once-Upon-A-Time-In-Mumbaai-Dobaara/Article1-1108821.aspx |archive-date=17 August 2013}} Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India praised Kumar's performance and said that "Bhai act with flamboyance and mojo ... He gets a chance to do what he does best – herogiri (albeit less menacing, more entertaining), with charisma and clap-trap dialoguebaazi."{{cite news |first=Madhureeta |last=Mukherjee |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/times-of-india-movie-review-of-once-upon-ay-time-in-mumbai-dobaara/movie-review/21820641.cms |title=Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara! : Movie Review |work=The Times of India |date=15 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815094643/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Once-Upon-Ay-Time-In-Mumbai-Dobaara/movie-review/21820641.cms |archive-date=15 August 2013}} Al Pacino saw the film's trailer and promos and admired Kumar's portrayal of Shoaib Khan, a gangster. He said that the promos and posters reminded him of his own The Godfather. Kumar said of Pacino's response: "A touch of appreciation is always held dearly in an actor's arms, even if it's from the simplest of people like our beloved spot boys. But to have your work spoken of so kindly by the world's most admired gangster Al Pacino himself – I had goose-bumps thinking about him watching the promo! I was so humbled, not only as an actor but as a fan of his legendary work."{{cite news |last1=Das |first1=Anirban |title=Al Pacino praises Akshay Kumar's work |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/movies/al-pacino-praises-akshay-kumar-s-work/article1-1099759.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518004546/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/movies/al-pacino-praises-akshay-kumar-s-work/article1-1099759.aspx |archive-date=18 May 2014 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |date=28 July 2013}}{{cite news |title=Al Pacino's thumbs up to Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/al-pacino/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114843/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1946833/al-pacino |archive-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=live |date=29 July 2013}} Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN criticised Kumar for his "in-your-face flamboyance".{{cite news |last1=Masand |first1=Rajeev |title='Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara' review: It is like getting a root canal |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/once-upon-ay-time-in-mumbai-dobaara-review-it-is-like-getting-a-root-canal/414577-47-84.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714010054/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/once-upon-ay-time-in-mumbai-dobaara-review-it-is-like-getting-a-root-canal/414577-47-84.html |archive-date=14 July 2014}} After the film's mainly negative reviews, Kumar lashed out at critics, accusing them of lacking an understanding of the audience and the basic ideas of filmmaking.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar breathes fury at Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara critics |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-wakes-up-decides-to-breathe-fury-at-ouatimd-critics/1/300772.html |work=India Today |location=New Delhi |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002345/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-wakes-up-decides-to-breathe-fury-at-ouatimd-critics/1/300772.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |date=22 August 2013}} Built on an approximate budget of {{INRConvert|1|b|year=2012|mode=historical}},{{cite news |author1=Indo-Asian News Service|author-link1=Indo-Asian News Service |title=Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara: Another film to hit the jackpot? |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/once-upon-ay-time-in-mumbai-dobaara-another-film-to-hit-the-jackpot/414267-8-66.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029025141/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/once-upon-ay-time-in-mumbai-dobaara-another-film-to-hit-the-jackpot/414267-8-66.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |date=14 August 2013}} it was the first major Hindi language film to be shot in Oman.{{cite news |author1=Times News Network |title=Once Upon sequel – first film shot in exotic Oman |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Once-Upon-sequel-first-film-shot-in-exotic-Oman/articleshow/16722103.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=6 October 2014 |date=8 October 2012 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Once-Upon-sequel-first-film-shot-in-exotic-Oman/articleshow/16722103.cms |url-status=live}} Kumar received a nomination for Best Actor in a Negative Role at Zee Cine Awards.{{cite news |last1=Mudi |first1=Aparna |title=Zee Cine Awards 2014: Complete list of nominations |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/zee-cine-awards-2014/zee-cine-awards-2014-complete-list-of-nominations_150384.html |publisher=Zee News |access-date=18 October 2014 |date=6 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222065411/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/zee-cine-awards-2014/zee-cine-awards-2014-complete-list-of-nominations_150384.html |url-status=live}}

His next release was Anthony D Souza's Boss alongside Shiv Panditt and Aditi Rao Hydari. The movie received mixed reviews;{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/566663 |title=Boss: Critic Review |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=15 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020050454/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/566663 |archive-date=20 October 2013}}{{cite web |title=Review: Akshay Kumar's Boss: All title, no thunder! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-akshay-kumars-boss-all-title-no-thunder/20131016.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=17 June 2014 |date=16 October 2013 |archive-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009000428/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-akshay-kumars-boss-all-title-no-thunder/20131016.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/movie-review-boss-is-all-about-masala-and-akshay-kumar/article1-1135845.aspx |title=Movie review: Boss is all about masala and Akshay Kumar |work=Hindustan Times |date=16 October 2013 |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060318/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/movie-review-boss-is-all-about-masala-and-akshay-kumar/article1-1135845.aspx |archive-date=8 August 2014}} it performed poorly at the box office netting {{INRConvert|540|m|year=2014}} domestically.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} Kumar came back strongly with Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, the Hindi remake of the 2012 Tamil film Thuppakki. This action thriller earned both critical and commercial success entering the {{INRconvert|1|b|year=2014|mode=historical|nolink=yes}} elite club and emerging one of the highest grossers of 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2256|title=Holiday (2014)|access-date=18 April 2024|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418151531/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2256|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Bawa |first1=Jyoti Sharma |title=Akshay impresses in Holiday's action sequences |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-akshay-kumar-s-holiday-will-keep-you-hooked/article1-1226341.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=18 June 2014 |date=14 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617060035/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-akshay-kumar-s-holiday-will-keep-you-hooked/article1-1226341.aspx |archive-date=17 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/holiday-a-soldier-is-never-off-duty/movie-review/36099137.cms |title=Holiday – A Soldier Is Never Off Duty |work=The Times of India |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060720/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/holiday-a-soldier-is-never-off-duty/movie-review/36099137.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Holiday-enters-the-100-crore-club/articleshow/37018014.cms |title=Holiday enters the 100 crore club! |work=The Times of India |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=20 August 2014 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610063136/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Holiday-enters-the-100-crore-club/articleshow/37018014.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-holiday-to-enter-rs-100-crore-club/article1-1228347.aspx |title=Akshay Kumar's Holiday one of the biggest hits of 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729071146/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-holiday-to-enter-rs-100-crore-club/article1-1228347.aspx |archive-date=29 July 2014}} He then starred in Entertainment and has sung a song for the film. Making of the song has been uploaded on YouTube.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar sings for 'Entertainment' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/watch-akshay-kumar-sings-for-entertainment/ |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Group |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823032632/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/watch-akshay-kumar-sings-for-entertainment/ |archive-date=23 August 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=27 July 2014}} His last film of 2014 was The Shaukeens. He appeared as himself in it and produced it.{{cite news |last1=Tarannum |first1=Asira |title=Akshay Kumar doesn't want to over-promote himself for 'The Shaukeens' |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/akshay-kumar-doesnt-want-to-over-promote-himself-for-the-shaukeens/15639156 |access-date=1 May 2015 |work=Mid-Day |date=27 September 2014 |archive-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031153721/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/akshay-kumar-doesnt-want-to-over-promote-himself-for-the-shaukeens/15639156 |url-status=live}} He then played the lead role in the thrillers Baby and Gabbar is Back.{{cite news |author1=Press Trust of India |title=Akshay Kumar's 'Baby' trailer released |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumars-baby-trailer-released/ |access-date=1 May 2015 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Group |date=4 December 2014 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=17 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217165454/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumars-baby-trailer-released/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Watch: Sholay style teaser of Akshay Kumar's 'Gabbar Is Back' |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-watch-sholay-style-teaser-of-akshay-kumar-s-gabbar-is-back-2068549 |access-date=1 May 2015 |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=13 March 2015 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315230653/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-watch-sholay-style-teaser-of-akshay-kumar-s-gabbar-is-back-2068549 |url-status=live}} Kumar's first collaboration with Karan Johar, Brothers was released on 14 August 2015.{{cite news |author1=Indo-Asian News Service |title=Akshay Kumar wraps up 'Brothers' shooting |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-wraps-up-brothers-shooting/articleshow/46969888.cms |access-date=1 May 2015 |work=The Economic Times |date=18 April 2015 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-wraps-up-brothers-shooting/articleshow/46969888.cms |url-status=live}} His next release was Singh is Bling, a quasi sequel to 2008's Singh is Kinng was released on 2 October 2015 and is produced by Grazing Goats Pictures.[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumars-singh-is-bliing-mints-rs-54-44-crore-in-three-days/ Akshay Kumar's 'Singh is Bliing' mints Rs.54.44 crore in three days] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006040406/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumars-singh-is-bliing-mints-rs-54-44-crore-in-three-days/ |date=6 October 2015 }}. The Indian Express. 5 October 2015

His first release was Airlift released on 22 January 2016 was critically and commercially successful,{{cite news |last1=Dani |first1=Arti |title=Akshay Kumar shooting in Ras Al Khaimah |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=/data/citytimes/2015/April/citytimes_April6.xml§ion=citytimes |access-date=1 May 2015 |work=Khaleej Times |publisher=Galadari Printing and Publishing |date=2 April 2015 |location=Dubai |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402010715/http://khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Fcitytimes%2F2015%2FApril%2Fcitytimes_April6.xml§ion=citytimes |url-status=live}} and second was Housefull 3 which released on 3 June 2016.{{cite news |title=Akshay, Riteish, Abhishek begin shooting Housefull 3 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Riteish-Abhishek-begin-shooting-Housefull-3/articleshow/48511330.cms |work=The Times of India |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=6 October 2015 |date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=20 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820073040/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Riteish-Abhishek-begin-shooting-Housefull-3/articleshow/48511330.cms |url-status=live}} Rustom which was produced by Neeraj Pandey and marked his third release of 2016. Akshay was praised for his performance in Rustom which garnered him numerous award nominations. Rustom grossed more than 2 billion at the box office.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-s-romantic-thriller-Rustom-to-release-on-I-Day-weekend/articleshow/48884569.cms Akshay Kumar 's romantic thriller 'Rustom' to release on I-Day weekend – The Times of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511205205/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-s-romantic-thriller-rustom-to-release-on-i-day-weekend/articleshow/48884569.cms |date=11 May 2023 }} . The Times of India. (9 September 2015). Retrieved 29 September 2015. Both Airlift and Rustom earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Akshay Won National Award For 'Rustom' & 'Airlift': Priyadarshan |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-won-national-award-for-both-rustom-and-airlift-says-priyadarshan |access-date=19 February 2019 |work=The Quint |date=7 April 2017 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180130/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-won-national-award-for-both-rustom-and-airlift-says-priyadarshan |url-status=live}}

His second film release in 2017 was Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. This film depicted the serious social issue of toilets in certain regions of the country. Akshay's performance was praised. Akshay Kumar dug a toilet in Madhya Pradesh to promote the film.{{cite web |url=http://santabantawallpaper.co.in/toilet-ek-prem-katha |title=Akshay Kumar Toilet ek Prem katha first look, HD Wallpapers story, star cast, released date |website=santabantawallpaper.co.in |access-date=30 July 2017 |date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719151145/http://santabantawallpaper.co.in/toilet-ek-prem-katha |archive-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=dead}} The movie trailer was released on 11 June 2017.{{Cite news |url=http://www.missmahi.com/movie/wiki/toilet-ek-prem-katha-wiki-star-cast-release-date/8908/ |title=Toilet Ek Prem Katha Wiki, Star Cast & Release Date |date=12 June 2017 |work=MissMahi |access-date=12 June 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922124429/http://www.missmahi.com/movie/wiki/toilet-ek-prem-katha-wiki-star-cast-release-date/8908/ |url-status=live}} Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a good effort to further the message of cleanliness, as per Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.{{cite news |title=PM Narendra Modi Lauds Akshay Kumar Toilet Ek Prem Katha's Trailer; Calls It a Good Effort to Further the Message of Cleanliness |url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/pm-narendra-modi-lauds-akshay-kumar-toilet-ek-prem-katha-trailer-calls-it-a-good-effort-to-further-the-message-of-cleanliness-1430809.html |publisher=News18 |date=13 June 2017 |access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-date=28 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028160655/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/pm-narendra-modi-lauds-akshay-kumar-toilet-ek-prem-katha-trailer-calls-it-a-good-effort-to-further-the-message-of-cleanliness-1430809.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=PM Narendra Modi impressed with Akshay Kumar's 'Toilet Ek Prem Katha' trailer |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pm-modi-impressed-with-akshay-kumars-toilet-ek-prem-katha-trailer/articleshow/59123054.cms |work=The Times of India |date=12 June 2017 |access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215013455/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pm-modi-impressed-with-akshay-kumars-toilet-ek-prem-katha-trailer/articleshow/59123054.cms |url-status=dead}}

In 2018, Akshay starred in another social drama film Pad Man alongside Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumars-next-r-balki-titled-pad-man/ |title=Pad man Official Theatrical Trailer |date=15 December 2017 |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date = 23 December 2017 |archive-date = 23 December 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215749/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumars-next-r-balki-titled-pad-man/ |url-status = live}} He later made his Tamil cinema debut in the science fiction thriller 2.0, a standalone sequel to the 2010 film Enthiran, co-starring Rajinikanth, in which he played an evil ornithologist named Pakshirajan.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-plays-the-villain-in-Robot-2/articleshow/50203162.cms |title=Akshay Kumar plays the villain in 'Robot 2' |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011815/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-plays-the-villain-in-Robot-2/articleshow/50203162.cms |url-status=live |last1=Iyer |first1=Meena}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajinikanths-20-first-look-to-be-out-on-november-20/article9206701.ece |title=Rajinikanth's 2.0 first look to be out on November 20 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011819/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Rajinikanth%E2%80%99s-2.0-first-look-to-be-out-on-November-20/article15479000.ece |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/2.0-is-set-to-go-where-no-Indian-film-has-gone-before/article16738922.ece |title=2.0 is set to go where no Indian film has gone before |last=Bureau |first=City |work=The Hindu |access-date=13 May 2017 |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223202527/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/2.0-is-set-to-go-where-no-Indian-film-has-gone-before/article16738922.ece |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Rajnikanth's 2.0 vs Aamir Khan's Thugs of Hindostan – There Could Be A Clash This Diwali! |url=https://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment-news/movies/bollywood/rajnikanths-2-0-vs-aamir-khans-thugs-hindostan-clash-diwali |website=BookMyShow |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223202539/https://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment-news/movies/bollywood/rajnikanths-2-0-vs-aamir-khans-thugs-hindostan-clash-diwali |url-status=live}}

In 2019, Kumar appeared in Karan Johar's film Kesari opposite Parineeti Chopra, based on the story of the Battle of Saragarhi. The film grossed over {{INRConvert|2|b|year=2019|mode=historical}} worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/2019/ |title=Bollywood Top Grossers Worldwide Bollywood Hungama |access-date=20 April 2019 |website=Bollywood Hungama |archive-date=18 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118064625/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/2019/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-parineeti-chopra-signed-opposite-akshay-kumar-karan-johars-kesari/ |title=BREAKING: Parineeti Chopra signed opposite Akshay Kumar for Karan Johar's Kesari |date=10 January 2018 |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date = 11 January 2018 |archive-date = 11 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180111170712/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-parineeti-chopra-signed-opposite-akshay-kumar-karan-johars-kesari/ |url-status = live}} He next featured in Mission Mangal with an ensemble cast of Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Sharman Joshi and Sonakshi Sinha. The film is about the story of scientists at Indian Space Research Organisation who contributed to the Mars Orbiter Mission, which marked India's first interplanetary expedition.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar's Mission Mangal will star Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha, Manish Borundia |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-signs-three-new-projects-to-start-shooting-for-mission-mangal-this-month/story-SJRWDHneqcNvDEBRBgHXMO.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=5 November 2018 |date=5 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105061942/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-signs-three-new-projects-to-start-shooting-for-mission-mangal-this-month/story-SJRWDHneqcNvDEBRBgHXMO.html |url-status=live}} Housefull 4, directed by Farhad Samji, was released in October 2019.{{cite web |last=Basu |first=Nilanjana |title=Housefull 4 Begins. Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Riteish Deshmukh Have A Warning For You |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/housefull-4-begins-akshay-kumar-bobby-deol-riteish-deshmukh-have-a-warning-for-you-1880629 |website=NDTV |access-date=29 August 2018 |date=10 July 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811152521/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/housefull-4-begins-akshay-kumar-bobby-deol-riteish-deshmukh-have-a-warning-for-you-1880629 |url-status=live}} His next release in December 2019 was Karan Johar's and his own production Good Newwz, a romantic comedy about surrogacy, opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-good-news-that-s-the-title-of-kareena-kapoor-khan-s-next-with-akshay-kumar-here-s-what-the-film-is-all-about-2643923/amp |title='Good News'! That's the title of Kareena Kapoor Khan's next with Akshay Kumar |date=31 July 2018 |publisher=DNA India |access-date=14 February 2019 |archive-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201115308/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-good-news-that-s-the-title-of-kareena-kapoor-khan-s-next-with-akshay-kumar-here-s-what-the-film-is-all-about-2643923/amp |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='Good Newwz' box office collection Day 3: Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer witnesses a good Sunday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/good-newwz-box-office-collection-day-3-akshay-kumar-and-kareena-kapoor-khan-starrer-witnesses-a-good-sunday/articleshow/73024282.cms |access-date=31 December 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=30 December 2019 |language=en |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231000749/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/good-newwz-box-office-collection-day-3-akshay-kumar-and-kareena-kapoor-khan-starrer-witnesses-a-good-sunday/articleshow/73024282.cms |url-status=live}} All of his four films were commercially successful this year with three consecutive domestic 200 Crore Club net films alongside Mission Mangal, Housefull 4 and Good Newwz.{{cite web |url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-kareena-kapoor-khan-s-good-news-to-release-on-december-27/story-sYRIF21QdnIgYTowUCbYfP.html |title=Akshay Kumar, Kareenaas Kapoorwell Khan'sas Good News to release on December 27 |date=27 April 2019 |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 December 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/good-newwz/box-office/#bh-movie-box-office |title=Good Newwz Box Office |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224075547/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/good-newwz/box-office/#bh-movie-box-office |archive-date=24 December 2019 |url-status=live}}

His only release in 2020 was the horror comedy Laxmii, directed by Raghava Lawrence, an official remake of the Tamil film Kanchana opposite Kiara Advani.{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/is-akshay-kumar-starrer-kanchana-remake-titled-laaxmi-bomb-heres-how-we-might-know/406253 |website=Times Now |first1=Gaurang |last1=Chauhan |title=Is Akshay Kumar starrer Kanchana remake titled Laaxmi Bomb? Here's how we might know |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424143055/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/is-akshay-kumar-starrer-kanchana-remake-titled-laaxmi-bomb-heres-how-we-might-know/406253 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/akshay-kumar-and-raghava-lawrence-begin-shooting-of-kanchana-hindi-remake-lakshmi-1509243-2019-04-24 |date=24 April 2019 |first1=P |last1=Kirubhakar |website=IndiaToday |title=Akshay Kumar and Raghava Lawrence begin shooting of Kanchana Hindi remake Lakshmi |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424142627/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/akshay-kumar-and-raghava-lawrence-begin-shooting-of-kanchana-hindi-remake-lakshmi-1509243-2019-04-24 |url-status=live}} It was released on 9 November on Disney+ Hotstar, and was not released theatrically in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |title=Laxmmi Bomb teaser: Akshay Kumar film to release on Nov 9 on Disney+ Hotstar, actor promises a big blast on Diwali |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/laxmmi-bomb-teaser-akshay-kumar-film-to-release-on-nov-9-on-disney-hotstar-actor-promises-a-big-blast-on-diwali/story-ph32STR42WijAWD58DgS6M.html |access-date=12 November 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=16 September 2020 |language=en |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112194625/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/laxmmi-bomb-teaser-akshay-kumar-film-to-release-on-nov-9-on-disney-hotstar-actor-promises-a-big-blast-on-diwali/story-ph32STR42WijAWD58DgS6M_amp.html |url-status=live}} The film revolves around a man who gets possessed by the ghost of a transgender. Despite receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, it got huge response on both OTT as well as television, eventually emerging the only genuine hit to be premiered on digital.{{Cite web|title=Akshay Kumar & Kiara Advani starrer Laxmii breaks viewership record of Sushant Singh Rajput's Dil Bechara|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/akshay-kumar-kiara-advani-starrer-laxmii-breaks-viewership-record-sushant-singh-rajputs-dil-bechara-573692|access-date=16 January 2021|website=Pinkvilla|date=10 November 2020|language=en|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122224219/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/akshay-kumar-kiara-advani-starrer-laxmii-breaks-viewership-record-sushant-singh-rajputs-dil-bechara-573692|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6211|title=Laxmii Is Huge On Satellite - Premieres Second To Bahubali 2|date=2 April 2021|access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=12 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512115702/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6211|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8254|title=Star Positions 2023 - Female Leads|date=10 January 2024|access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=12 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512115152/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8254|url-status=live}}

Kumar's first release of 2021, Bell Bottom did not perform well commercially, but his second release, Rohit Shetty's actioner Sooryavanshi proved to be a box office hit and was credited with reviving the exhibition sector for Hindi cinema post COVID-19 pandemic in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/5C93992D00424385|title=Sooryavanshi (2021)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107233534/http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/5C93992D00424385|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6142|title=Sooryavanshi - Movie - Box Office India|access-date=2 May 2024|archive-date=2 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502205806/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6142|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/as-sooryavanshi-inches-closer-to-rs-200-crore-rohit-shetty-says-people-were-betting-on-film-s-fate-hours-before-release-101638091311095.html | title=As Sooryavanshi inches closer to ₹200 crore, Rohit Shetty says people were betting on film's fate hours before release | work=Hindustan Times | date=28 November 2021 | access-date=1 December 2022 | archive-date=1 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201151600/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/as-sooryavanshi-inches-closer-to-rs-200-crore-rohit-shetty-says-people-were-betting-on-film-s-fate-hours-before-release-101638091311095.html | url-status=live }} Towards the end of year, he co-starred alongside Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan in Aanand L. Rai's direct-to-digital romantic comedy film Atrangi Re.{{Cite web|last=Jha|first=Lata|date=25 November 2021|title=Akshay Kumar, Dhanush, Sara Ali's 'Atrangi Re' to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/akshay-kumar-dhanush-sara-ali-s-atrangi-re-to-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-11637816669858.html|access-date=24 December 2021|website=mint|language=en|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224093713/https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/akshay-kumar-dhanush-sara-ali-s-atrangi-re-to-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-11637816669858.html|url-status=live}} At release, Atrangi Re garnered the highest opening day viewership in their streaming service, thereby breaking the viewership records of Laxmii (2020), Hungama 2 (2021) and Shiddat (2021).{{Cite web|date=28 December 2021|first=Grace|last=Cyril|title=Atrangi Re beats Laxmii, Hungama 2 to become the most-watched film on release day|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/atrangi-re-beats-laxmii-hungama-2-to-become-the-most-watched-film-on-release-day-1893125-2021-12-28|access-date=30 December 2021|website=India Today|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230052755/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/atrangi-re-beats-laxmii-hungama-2-to-become-the-most-watched-film-on-release-day-1893125-2021-12-28|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=29 December 2021|title=Dhanush Starrer Atrangi Re Becomes Most Watched Film on Disney+Hotstar|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/dhanush-starrer-atrangi-re-becomes-most-watched-film-on-disneyhotstar-4604684.html|access-date=30 December 2021|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230052757/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/dhanush-starrer-atrangi-re-becomes-most-watched-film-on-disneyhotstar-4604684.html|url-status=live}}

=== 2022–present: Career decline ===

In 2022, Kumar's first release was Bachchhan Paandey, a remake of Jigarthanda, where he played the titular role of a gangster, a name derived from Kumar's character in the 2008 film Tashan.{{cite news |title='Bachchan Pandey': Akshay Kumar brings his 'Tashan' character back and the poster will remind you of a South Indian don |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-bachchan-pandey-akshay-kumar-brings-his-tashan-character-back-and-the-poster-will-remind-you-of-a-south-indian-don-2775917 |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=DNA |date=26 July 2019 |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412131244/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-bachchan-pandey-akshay-kumar-brings-his-tashan-character-back-and-the-poster-will-remind-you-of-a-south-indian-don-2775917 |url-status=live}} The film paired him with Kriti Sanon, and also features Jacqueline Fernandez and Arshad Warsi.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar starrer Bachchan Pandey to release on March 18, 2022; new posters unveiled |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-starrer-bachchan-pandey-release-march-18-2022-new-posters-unveiled/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=18 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118095513/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-starrer-bachchan-pandey-release-march-18-2022-new-posters-unveiled/ |url-status=live}} Despite an ensemble cast and hype among fans, Bachchhan Paandey gathered negative critical reception and bombed at the box office.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6172|title=Bachchhan Pandey - Movie - Box Office India|access-date=2 May 2024|archive-date=2 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502210231/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6172|url-status=live}}

His next release was the historical film Samrat Prithviraj (2022), which was based on life of the Hindu warrior Prithviraj Chauhan. It also starred Sonu Sood, Sanjay Dutt and debutant Manushi Chhillar. Released theatrically on 3 June 2022, the film opened to mixed reviews. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu wrote 'In order to tone down his body language and accent, Kumar has lost much of his trademark energy and could not develop the gravitas required to play the celebrated ruler. He growls like a lion who has lost his bite and despite all the air-brushing, doesn't look like the boy who became a Samrat in his 20s'.{{cite news |date=6 June 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/samrat-prithviraj-movie-review-disappointing-akshay-kumar-stars-in-dreary-period-piece/article65490874.ece |title=Prithviraj review by Anuj Kumar |work=The Hindu |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605081936/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/samrat-prithviraj-movie-review-disappointing-akshay-kumar-stars-in-dreary-period-piece/article65490874.ece |url-status=live}} Made on a budget of ₹200 crore, the film failed to recoup the massive investment and proved to be a disaster at the box office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6182|title=Prithviraj - Movie - Box Office India|access-date=17 April 2024|archive-date=17 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417061018/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6182|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last=Gopalan |first=Krishna |date=6 June 2022 |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/story/bollywoods-bad-luck-at-the-box-office-continues-as-akshay-kumars-samrat-prithviraj-drags-336514-2022-06-06 |title=Bollywood's bad luck at the box office continues as Akshay Kumar's 'Samrat Prithviraj' drags |magazine=Business Today |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612065651/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/story/bollywoods-bad-luck-at-the-box-office-continues-as-akshay-kumars-samrat-prithviraj-drags-336514-2022-06-06 |url-status=live}}

His another movie Rakshabandhan which was released on the extended weekend of 5 days on 11 August received mixed reviews. The Hindu wrote "The film's engaging powerful anti-dowry sentiments, along with Akshay's brilliant comic timing, ensures that there is enough to keep the audience tied for two hours."{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |date=11 August 2022 |title='Raksha Bandhan' movie review: Akshay Kumar shines in this festival crowd pleaser |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/raksha-bandhan-movie-review-akshay-kumar-shines-in-this-festival-crowd-pleaser/article65758449.ece |access-date=23 August 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823110725/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/raksha-bandhan-movie-review-akshay-kumar-shines-in-this-festival-crowd-pleaser/article65758449.ece |url-status=live}} The Indian Express rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Do the filmmakers truly believe that such low-rent family dramas, with their uneasy mix of humour and crassness".{{Cite web |date=11 August 2022 |title=Raksha Bandhan movie review: A committed Akshay Kumar can't save this mothballed, melodramatic film |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/raksha-bandhan-review-akshay-kumar-bhumi-pednekar-8083718/ |access-date=23 August 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823125930/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/raksha-bandhan-review-akshay-kumar-bhumi-pednekar-8083718/ |url-status=live}} The film couldn't manage to impress the audience and scored poorly at the Indian ticket windows. The film managed to earn mere $4.2 million over the extended weekend.{{Cite web |last=Kaushal |first=Sweta |title=India Box Office: 'Laal Singh Chaddha', 'Raksha Bandhan' Score Low |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/swetakaushal/2022/08/16/india-box-office-laal-singh-chaddha-raksha-bandhan-score-low/ |access-date=23 August 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823110326/https://www.forbes.com/sites/swetakaushal/2022/08/16/india-box-office-laal-singh-chaddha-raksha-bandhan-score-low/ |url-status=live}} The Hindustan Times wrote "Akshay Kumar got a golden opportunity in the film Ram Setu by Abhishek Sharma released on 25 October 2022, as his character is unlike anything he has done in the recent past. Ram Setu embraces the best of the Indiana Jones and National Treasure schools of storytelling with desi action".{{Cite web |date=25 October 2022 |title=Ram Setu movie review: Akshay Kumar film is enjoyable desi take on Indiana Jones |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ram-setu-movie-review-akshay-kumar-film-is-enjoyable-desi-take-on-indiana-jones-101666686730206.html |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127213358/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ram-setu-movie-review-akshay-kumar-film-is-enjoyable-desi-take-on-indiana-jones-101666686730206.html |url-status=live}} With the poor performance of Ram Setu, 2022 proved to be one of the worst years for Kumar in recent times.{{cite news |last1=Varsha |title='बच्चन पांडे' का भी रिकॉर्ड नहीं तोड़ पाई 'सम्राट पृथ्वीराज', मिली 'मेजर' और 'विक्रम' से टक्कर |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/box-office/samrat-prithviraj-box-office-collection-day-1-report-in-hindi-akshay-kumar-struggle-for-business/articleshow/91999279.cms |access-date=26 June 2023 |work=Navbharat Times |date=4 June 2022 |language=hi |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626193741/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/box-office/samrat-prithviraj-box-office-collection-day-1-report-in-hindi-akshay-kumar-struggle-for-business/articleshow/91999279.cms |url-status=live}}

His first release of 2023 was Selfiee, an official remake of Driving Licence, which also starred Emraan Hashmi, Diana Penty and Nushrratt Bharuccha.{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Dhaval |date=24 February 2023 |title=Selfiee Movie Review : A rib-tickling comedy peppered with good performances |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/selfiee/movie-review/98189997.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224055723/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/selfiee/movie-review/98189997.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live}} This film too bombed at the box office.{{cite news |url=https://english.jagran.com/entertainment/selfiee-box-office-collection-akshay-kumars-film-declared-a-huge-flop-collects-this-much-on-day11-10067930 |title=Selfiee Box Office Collection: Akshay Kumar's Film Declared a Huge Flop, Collects THIS Much on Day 11 |newspaper=English Jagran |date=7 March 2023 | access-date=12 March 2023 | archive-date=12 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312064249/https://english.jagran.com/entertainment/selfiee-box-office-collection-akshay-kumars-film-declared-a-huge-flop-collects-this-much-on-day11-10067930 | url-status=live}} Kumar next appeared in OMG 2 – Oh my God 2, a spiritual successor to OMG – Oh My God!, where he played a messenger of Lord Shiva.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-starts-shooting-for-omg-2-shares-first-look-posters/articleshow/87221027.cms |title=Akshay Kumar starts shooting for 'OMG 2', shares first-look posters |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=12 March 2023 | archive-date=12 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312064244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-starts-shooting-for-omg-2-shares-first-look-posters/articleshow/87221027.cms | url-status=live}} Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost stated, "Akshay's character as the messenger of Lord Shiva seems to be an extended cameo. However, the actor impresses with his expressions and dialogues and delivers one of his best performances in recent times."{{Cite web |date=11 August 2023 |title=Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi & Yami Gautam Dhar's OMG 2 movie review |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/omg-2-movie-review-akshay-kumar-pankaj-tripathi-yami-gautam-dhar-deliver-a-path-breaking-film-on-sex-education-12983932.html/amp |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=Firstpost |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810201317/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/omg-2-movie-review-akshay-kumar-pankaj-tripathi-yami-gautam-dhar-deliver-a-path-breaking-film-on-sex-education-12983932.html/amp |url-status=live}} The film became a box office hit.{{Cite web |title=OMG 2 Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/omg-2/box-office/ |access-date=12 August 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=12 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812060949/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/omg-2/box-office/ |url-status=live}} Kumar next appeared opposite Parineeti Chopra as Jaswant Singh Gill, a brave and diligent mining engineer in the disaster thriller Mission Raniganj.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/first-look-of-akshay-kumars-coal-mine-rescue-movie-is-out/articleshow/92754577.cms |title=Akshay Kumar's first look from the sets of 'Capsule Gill' leaked; leaves fans mighty impressed |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=12 March 2023 | archive-date=11 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311073022/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/first-look-of-akshay-kumars-coal-mine-rescue-movie-is-out/articleshow/92754577.cms | url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=11 May 2023 |title=SCOOP: Akshay Kumar's next on the 1989 mining operation titled The Great Indian Rescue : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-akshay-kumars-next-1989-mining-operation-titled-great-indian-rescue/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511131134/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-akshay-kumars-next-1989-mining-operation-titled-great-indian-rescue/ |url-status=live}} It received mixed to positive response from critics, but flopped miserably at the box office.{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar admits Mission Raniganj 'hasn't done well' at the box office: 'I own up, but it is one of my best films' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-admits-mission-raniganj-hasnt-done-well-at-the-box-office-i-own-up-but-it-is-one-of-my-best-films-8977452/ |work=The Indian Express |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=25 March 2024 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011055718/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-admits-mission-raniganj-hasnt-done-well-at-the-box-office-i-own-up-but-it-is-one-of-my-best-films-8977452 |url-status=live}}

His first release of 2024 was Ali Abbas Zafar's actioner Bade Miyan Chote Miyan co-starring Tiger Shroff.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Bade Miyan Chote Miyan|id=bade_miyan_chote_miyan_2024

|type=m|access-date=17 April 2024}} Made at a budget of ₹350 crore, the film opened to largely negative reviews from critics and did a lifetime business of ₹102.16 crore at the worldwide box-office, thus proving to be a disaster and continuing the string of flops for Kumar.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/bade-miyan-chote-miyan-review-akshay-kumar-tiger-shroff-ali-abbas-zafar-2526032-2024-04-11|title='Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' Review: Akshay-Tiger film falls short of serving a good Eidi|website=India Today|date=11 April 2024 |access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=12 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512112643/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/bade-miyan-chote-miyan-review-akshay-kumar-tiger-shroff-ali-abbas-zafar-2526032-2024-04-11|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Bollywood stares at Rs 250 cr loss with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan bombing; 'worst week' in Hindi films' history spotlights stars charging over Rs 100 cr as fees |language=en |website=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-rs-250-cr-loss-bade-miyan-chote-miyan-maidaan-bombing-worst-week-stars-charging-over-100-cr-fees-9288104/#google_vignette |date=26 April 2023 |access-date=12 May 2024 |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507211651/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-rs-250-cr-loss-bade-miyan-chote-miyan-maidaan-bombing-worst-week-stars-charging-over-100-cr-fees-9288104/#google_vignette |url-status=live }} He was next seen in Sarfira alongside Radhika Madan. The movie was a remake of the Tamil hit Soorarai Pottru, which itself was an adaptation of Air Deccan founder G. R. Gopinath's memoir Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey. The remake performed poorly at the box-office, collecting just ₹20 crores against a budget of ₹80 crores.{{cite web |date=15 June 2022 |title=Suriya shoots cameo with Akshay Kumar for Soorarai Pottru Hindi remake |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/suriya-shoots-cameo-with-akshay-kumar-for-soorarai-pottru-hindi-remake-1962812-2022-06-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615133838/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/suriya-shoots-cameo-with-akshay-kumar-for-soorarai-pottru-hindi-remake-1962812-2022-06-15 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |access-date=12 March 2023}}{{Cite news |date=11 July 2024 |title=Sarfira advance booking: Kumar-starrer mints Rs 24 lakh, sells 12k tickets |url=https://www.business-standard.com/entertainment/sarfira-advance-booking-kumar-starrer-mints-rs-24-lakh-sells-12k-tickets-124071100755_1.html |website=Business Standard}}{{Cite news |date=13 July 2024 |title=Sarfira Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/sarfira/box-office/ |website=Bollywood Hungama}} Following this, Kumar played a cosmetic surgeon in Khel Khel Mein alongside Vaani Kapoor.{{cite news |date=23 July 2024 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/khel-khel-mein-poster-fans-call-akshay-kumar-king-of-comedy-as-he-returns-to-the-genre-this-time-with-fardeen-khan-101721720536161.html |title=Khel Khel Mein: Fans call Akshay Kumar 'king of comedy' as he returns to the genre, this time with Fardeen Khan |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 July 2024}}{{Cite news |title=Akshay Kumar and co. wraps up shooting of 'Khel Khel Mein' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/akshay-kumar-wraps-up-shooting-of-khel-khel-mein/article68008793.ece/ |work=The Hindu |date=30 March 2024 |access-date=19 April 2024}} Sukanya Verma noted, "The chemistry between the motley bunch of actors works in fits and starts but Akshay Kumar's gift of the gab come out tops."{{Cite web |first=Sukanya |last=Verma |title=Khel Khel Mein Review: Game Of Phones |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/review/khel-khel-mein-review/20240815.htm |date=15 August 2024 |website=Rediff.com}} Despite positive reviews, it emerged another commercial failure for him.{{cite news |title=Khel Khel Mein Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/khel-khel-mein-2/box-office/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |work=Bollywood Hungama}} Kumar then reprised his character from Sooryavanshi in Singham Again.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2020 |title=Akshay Kumar will appear in Rohit Shetty's next Ajay Devgn starrer Singham 3 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-will-appear-rohit-shettys-next-ajay-devgn-starrer-singham-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230174828/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-will-appear-rohit-shettys-next-ajay-devgn-starrer-singham-3/ |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}{{cite news |title=Singham Again Movie Release, Review Live Updates: Akshay Kumar's cameo wins hearts, fans happy to see Salman in new look |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/singham-again-movie-review-live-updates-rohit-shetty-ajay-devgn-salman-khan-live-updates-9647928/ |access-date=1 November 2024 |work=The Indian Express}}

His first release of 2025 was Sky Force, based on India's first airstrike during the Sargodha airbase attack in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war.{{Cite news |last=Pant |first=Asmita |date=24 January 2025 |title=Sky Force: The real story behind the 1965 Sargodha airstrike |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/sky-force-movie-real-story-behind-1965-sargodha-airstrike-akshay-kumar-veer-pahariya-19545661.htm |work=CNBCTV18 |access-date=25 January 2025}} This marked his second collaboration with Maddock Films following Stree 2.{{Cite news |title=After 'Stree 2', will Akshay be part of Maddock Films' horror comedy universe? Dinesh Vijan has an answer |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/after-stree-2-will-akshay-be-part-of-maddock-films-horror-comedy-universe-dinesh-vijan-has-an-answer-334217505 |work=Deccan Herald |agency=PTI |date=5 January 2025 |access-date=25 January 2025}} Pragati Awasthi of WION wrote "the aura and energy he brings to his character always manages to capture viewer attention. While his performance isn't extraordinary, he still manages to make the audience feel emotional with his poignant scenes."{{Cite news |last=Awasthi |first=Pragati |date=24 January 2025 |title=Sky Force Review: Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya soar high in this perfect Republic Day watch |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sky-force-movie-review-akshay-kumar-and-veer-pahariyas-film-is-a-perfect-republic-day-watch-8649231 |work=Wion |access-date=26 January 2025}} The film however was a box office failure.{{Cite web| date=12 February 2025 |title=Sky Force Lifetime Box Office: Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya's movie to end POOR theatrical run; grosses Rs 144 crore worldwide |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/sky-force-lifetime-box-office-akshay-kumar-and-veer-pahariyas-movie-to-end-poor-theatrical-run-grosses-rs-144-crore-worldwide-1372148| access-date=12 February 2025 |website=Pinkvilla |language=en}} Following this, Kumar played advocate C. Sankaran Nair in Kesari Chapter 2, which is set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar begins filming for Karan Johar's next titled The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair: Report |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-begins-filming-karan-johars-next-titled-untold-story-c-sankaran-nair-report/ |access-date=30 November 2023 |work=Bollywood Hungama|date=30 November 2023 }}{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Ritika |title=Akshay Kumar fans say 'Content Kumar is back' with Kesari Chapter 2 trailer, praise powerhouse clash with R Madhavan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-fans-say-content-kumar-is-back-with-kesari-chapter-2-trailer-praise-powerhouse-clash-with-r-madhavan-101743673585832.html |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}} Titas Chowdhury stated, "Akshay Kumar sheds off his aura as a superstar and chooses to lean on his acting prowess, taking it a notch higher than Sarfira."{{Cite news |last=Choudhary |first=Titas |date=18 April 2025 |title=Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan Are Fiery In This Courtroom Drama; Ananya Panday Holds Her Own |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/kesari-chapter-2-review-akshay-kumar-r-madhavan-are-fiery-in-this-courtroom-drama-ananya-panday-holds-her-own-9304175.html |work=News18 |access-date=18 April 2025}}

In 2004, Kumar presented seven-part miniseries Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar for free,{{cite news |last1=Fernandes |first1=Vivek |title=Akshay Kumar: Winning hearts with martial arts! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/26akshay.htm |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=Rediff.com |date=26 April 2004 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924142634/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/26akshay.htm |url-status=live}} played master and learner as he introduces viewers to each of the seven part of martial arts-kalaripayattu, Shaolin Kung Fu, karate, taekwondo, aikido, Muay Thai, capoeira,{{cite news |last1=Sahota |first1=Baldev |title=Akshay Kumar's Karate-do a Hit |url=http://www.desiblitz.com/content/akshay-kumars-karate-do-a-hit |access-date=8 November 2014 |work=Desi Blitz |date=3 November 2011 |archive-date=8 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108141132/http://www.desiblitz.com/content/akshay-kumars-karate-do-a-hit |url-status=live}} the show aired on every following Sunday.{{cite news |title=Seven deadly arts with Akshay Kumar! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/seven-deadly-arts-with-akshay-kumar-news-bollywood-kkfvMdeccaisi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031122510/http://www.sify.com/movies/seven-deadly-arts-with-akshay-kumar-news-bollywood-kkfvMdeccaisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 October 2014 |website=Sify |access-date=21 October 2014 |date=26 April 2004}} The following year Kumar was awarded the highest Japanese honour of "Katana" and a sixth degree black belt in Kuyukai Gōjū-ryū karate.

Since 2008, Kumar started India's stunt/action reality game show – "Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi". He hosted Season 1, Season 2 and Season 4.{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-back-to-khatron-ke-khiladi-season-4/148294-8-66.html |title=Akshay Kumar back to Khatron Ke Khiladi season 4 |date=5 April 2011 |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810191721/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-back-to-khatron-ke-khiladi-season-4/148294-8-66.html |archive-date=10 August 2014}} The show was widely accepted and appreciated, became hugely successful in popular culture.{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/khatron-ke-khiladi-torchaar-gets-maximum-ratings-ever-620005 |title=Khatron Ke Khiladi – Torchaar Gets Maximum Ratings Ever | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070256/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/khatron-ke-khiladi-torchaar-gets-maximum-ratings-ever-620005 | url-status=live}} It is still being run by Rohit Shetty.

In 2011, Kumar hosted India's first MasterChef television show on Star Plus, was viewed by 18.2 million viewers and went to prove that Indian audiences are open to experimenting and look forward to innovations in television entertainment.{{Cite web |title=Master Chef India Finale garners 4.2 TVRs |url=https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-corporate/master-chef-india-finale-garners-4-2-tvrs-113101801665_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606054925/https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-corporate/master-chef-india-finale-garners-4-2-tvrs-113101801665_1.html |archive-date=6 June 2021 |website=India Infoline}}

In 2014, He hosted another reality show Dare 2 Dance as a mentor, which aired on Life OK from 6 September. It broke the norms of a regular dance format with a commitment of a 'first of its kind. A dance show where trained and famed dancers wasn't judged only on the basis of their dance performances, but they had to perform stunts.survive on the dance floor.{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-dare-2-dance-to-air-on-life-ok-on-september-6-2010604 |title='Dare 2 Dance' to air on Life OK on September 6 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070256/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-dare-2-dance-to-air-on-life-ok-on-september-6-2010604 | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sanam-johar-wins-dare-2-dance-thanks-akshay-kumar/story-EfO9hxfHC4eEJabxBO3UrK.html |title=Sanam Johar wins Dare 2 Dance, thanks Akshay Kumar |date=28 October 2014 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070256/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sanam-johar-wins-dare-2-dance-thanks-akshay-kumar/story-EfO9hxfHC4eEJabxBO3UrK.html | url-status=live}}

In 2014, Kumar also produced a successful television serial Jamai Raja (2014), starring Ravi Dubey and Nia Sharma, which established them leading actors in Indian television industry.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Akshay-Kumar-turns-TV-producer/articleshow/38208736.cms? |title=Akshay Kumar turns TV producer |website=The Times of India |last1=Maheshwri |first1=Neha | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=15 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315114907/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Akshay-Kumar-turns-TV-producer/articleshow/38208736.cms | url-status=live}}

In 2017, he judged The Great Indian Laughter Challenge{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/akshay-kumar-to-judge-the-great-indian-laughter-challenge-releases-the-teaser/articleshow/59410250.cms |title=Akshay Kumar to judge the Great Indian Laughter Challenge; releases the teaser |website=The Times of India | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=3 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903104305/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/akshay-kumar-to-judge-the-great-indian-laughter-challenge-releases-the-teaser/articleshow/59410250.cms | url-status=live}} with Mallika Dua, Hussain Dalal and Zakir Khan, later they were replaced by Sajid Khan and Shreyas Talpade.{{cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/television-news/article/the-great-indian-laughter-challenge-trps-get-a-boost-after-sajid-khan-and-shreyas-talpade-join-show-18761182 |title=The Great Indian Laughter Challenge TRPS get a boost with Sajid and Shreyas |date=22 November 2017 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=12 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012222425/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/television-news/article/the-great-indian-laughter-challenge-trps-get-a-boost-after-sajid-khan-and-shreyas-talpade-join-show-18761182 | url-status=live}} The show made many popular names including Vishwash Chauhan and Shyam Rangeela.

Kumar joined Bear Grylls for an episode in "Into The Wild", which aired on Discovery channel on 14 September 2020.{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/key-takeaways-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-akshay-kumar-special-episode-6592299/ |title=Into the Wild with Bear Grylls and Akshay Kumar episode: Key takeaways |date=14 September 2020 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070256/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/key-takeaways-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-akshay-kumar-special-episode-6592299/ | url-status=live}} The episode was second highest-rated show in the infotainment genre (Discovery Channel) in terms of TRP. 1.1 crore people watched the premiere on Discovery Network channels.{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-and-akshay-kumar-creates-history-on-tv-here-s-how-2845106 |title='Into the Wild with Bear Grylls and Akshay Kumar' creates history on TV; here's how | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070257/https://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-and-akshay-kumar-creates-history-on-tv-here-s-how-2845106 | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/akshay-kumars-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-episode-breaks-viewership-records/ |title=Akshay Kumar's 'Into the Wild with Bear Grylls' Episode Breaks Viewership Records |date=25 September 2020 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011070307/https://www.mansworldindia.com/entertainment/akshay-kumars-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-episode-breaks-viewership-records/amp/ | url-status=live}}

Kumar promotes health fitness and exercising, stays in shape with a combination of kickboxing, basketball, swimming and Parkour as well as working out. While in standard eighth he had started practising Karate. He intended to open a martial arts school and the state government of Maharashtra allotted land for the school in Bhayandar.{{cite news |last=Ruhani |first=Faheem |title=Akshay Kumar lends glamour to kabaddi, buys a team |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-kabaddi-buys-team-maharashtra-government-world-kabaddi-league/1/367298.html |work=India Today |access-date=21 August 2014 |date=17 June 2014 |archive-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822211006/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-kabaddi-buys-team-maharashtra-government-world-kabaddi-league/1/367298.html |url-status=live}}

File:Akshay Kumar with his wife Twinkle Khanna in 2015.jpg at the launch of Khanna's book Mrs Funnybones in 2015]] He helped Khanna with editing the drafts of her debut book Mrs Funnybones.{{cite news |author1=Press Trust of India |title=Twinkle Khanna's Mrs Funnybones is now a book |url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/twinkle-khannas-mrs-funnybones-is-now-a-book/article7558757.ece |access-date=8 September 2015 |work=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu Group |date=20 August 2015 |location=Mumbai|author1-link=Press Trust of India |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://www.thehindu.com/books/twinkle-khannas-mrs-funnybones-is-now-a-book/article7558757.ece |url-status=live}} He is a teetotaller{{cite news|last=Trivedi|first=Tanvi|title=I don't smoke or drink: Akshay|work=The Times of India|date=16 April 2011|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-dont-smoke-or-drink-Akshay/articleshow/7989182.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807091731/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-dont-smoke-or-drink-Akshay/articleshow/7989182.cms|archive-date=7 August 2017}} but has endorsed for a liquor brand in the past. Half of the sum was given for daan (charity work), of which he has been doing more of in recent times.{{cite news |last1=Thakkar |first1=Mehul S |title=Teetotaller Akshay endorses alcohol but for 'charity' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Teetotaller-Akshay-endorses-alcohol-but-for-charity/articleshow/17304750.cms |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=The Times of India |date=21 November 2012 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Teetotaller-Akshay-endorses-alcohol-but-for-charity/articleshow/17304750.cms |url-status=live}} In 2013, one of his fan travelled from Haryana to Mumbai, to meet him. The journey took him 42 days. When he reached Kumar's building, he was informed that Kumar was in Casablanca. The fan stayed outside the building for one week before Kumar met him.{{cite news |title=An Akshay Kumar fan walked for 42 days from Haryana to Mumbai to meet the actor |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-an-akshay-kumar-fan-walked-for-42-days-from-haryana-to-mumbai-to-meet-the-actor-1939434 |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=23 December 2013 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=6 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106142824/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-an-akshay-kumar-fan-walked-for-42-days-from-haryana-to-mumbai-to-meet-the-actor-1939434 |url-status=live}} Kumar has come out in support and lauded the Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore for his stand against corruption. The minister said that the government entrusted CBI in the investigation against the corrupt officials in sports department.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/rajyavardhan-rathore-akshay-kumar-discuss-fitness-during-live-instagram-session/articleshow/67182613.cms |title=Rajyavardhan Rathore, Akshay Kumar discuss fitness during live Instagram session |website=The Times of India |date=21 December 2018 | access-date=11 October 2022 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011111301/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/rajyavardhan-rathore-akshay-kumar-discuss-fitness-during-live-instagram-session/articleshow/67182613.cms | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/akshay-kumar-lauds-sports-minister-rajyavardhan-singh-rathore-for-his-fight-against-corruption-in-sports |title=Akshay Kumar lauds Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore for his fight against corruption in sports | access-date=12 October 2022 | archive-date=14 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014182320/https://www.freepressjournal.in/amp/entertainment/akshay-kumar-lauds-sports-minister-rajyavardhan-singh-rathore-for-his-fight-against-corruption-in-sports | url-status=live}}

On 9 August 2014, Kumar performed at his 500th live show. The show was held in O2 Arena in London as part of the inaugural function of the World Kabaddi League. His first live show was held in 1991 in Delhi. Kumar owns Bengal Warriors a team in the Indian Kabbadi League.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Akshay Kumar's 500th live show in London |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-500th-live-show-in-london/article1-1248791.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=10 August 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807033148/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-500th-live-show-in-london/article1-1248791.aspx |archive-date=7 August 2014}} Akshay Kumar sets himself on fire at his upcoming The End series launch with Prime Video, says he's a stuntman first and actor later.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-sets-himself-on-fire-at-the-end-launch-says-he-s-a-stuntman-first-and-actor-later/story-eCfx6Phw8sEposd1fo6a3O.html |title=Akshay Kumar sets himself on fire at the End launch, says he's a stuntman first and actor later |date=5 March 2019 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009180922/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-sets-himself-on-fire-at-the-end-launch-says-he-s-a-stuntman-first-and-actor-later/story-eCfx6Phw8sEposd1fo6a3O_amp.html | url-status=live}}

{{Main|Cape Of Good Films|Grazing Goat Pictures}}

File:Akshay Kumar with family.jpg in 2014]]

During late 90s, Kumar was dating actress Raveena Tandon. Although they were engaged, they later parted ways.{{Cite magazine |title=Raveena Tandon says she is friends with Akshay Kumar: I think of him very highly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/raveena-tandon-says-she-is-friends-with-akshay-kumar-i-think-of-him-very-highly-2381274-2023-05-19 |magazine=India Today |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=12 January 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522045219/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/raveena-tandon-says-she-is-friends-with-akshay-kumar-i-think-of-him-very-highly-2381274-2023-05-19 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Dishya |date=13 May 2023 |title=Raveena Tandon talks about her broken engagement with Akshay Kumar in viral video, says 'He wanted...' |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/raveena-tandon-talks-about-her-broken-engagement-with-akshay-kumar-in-viral-video-says-he-wanted-7807873.html |work=News18 India |access-date=12 January 2024 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513195200/https://www.news18.com/amp/movies/raveena-tandon-talks-about-her-broken-engagement-with-akshay-kumar-in-viral-video-says-he-wanted-7807873.html |url-status=live}} Kumar married Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, on 17 January 2001. Together they have a son, and a daughter.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/CONGRATS-Akshay-Kumar-Twinkle-Khanna-blessed-with-a-baby-girl/Article1-935239.aspx |title=CONGRATS! Akshay Kumar-Twinkle Khanna blessed with a baby girl |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925195430/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/CONGRATS-Akshay-Kumar-Twinkle-Khanna-blessed-with-a-baby-girl/Article1-935239.aspx |archive-date=25 September 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Akshay-Twinkle-set-to-welcome-their-second-child/articleshow/14228790.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715063233/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-18/news-interviews/32298040_1_twinkle-akshay-kumar-aarav | url-status=live | archive-date=15 July 2012 |title=Akshay, Twinkle set to welcome their second child |date=18 June 2012 |work=The Times of India}} He is known as a protective father and keeps his children away from the media. He stated that he wants to "give them a normal childhood."{{cite news |title=Better to keep children away from limelight, says Akshay Kumar |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-children-limelight-holiday-father/1/367011.html |work=India Today |access-date=21 August 2014 |location=Mumbai |date=15 June 2014 |archive-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822212514/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-children-limelight-holiday-father/1/367011.html |url-status=live}}

In 2009, while performing at a show for Levis at Lakme Fashion Week, Kumar asked Twinkle to unbutton his jeans. This incident sparked a controversy which led to a police case being filed against them.{{cite news |last=Marwah |first=Navdeep Kaur |title=Over The Years: The rise of Mr Khiladi |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/over-the-years-the-rise-of-mr-khiladi/article1-934443.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=22 August 2014 |location=New Delhi |date=23 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027093350/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/OVER-THE-YEARS-The-rise-of-Mr-Khiladi/Article1-934443.aspx |archive-date=27 October 2013}}

Kumar was initially religious, till 2017 being a practising Shaiva Hindu who regularly visited shrines and temples across the country, including the famed Vaishno Devi Mandir,{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/bollywood/interviews/akshay-kumar-on-gabbar-is-back-i-have-a-great/article_8b2b61f8-f054-11e4-a4e5-7f162b79a4f6.html |title=Akshay Kumar Proclaims He's A 'Shiv Bhakt' As Well As His Grandfather |date=1 May 2015 |work=India-West |access-date=11 March 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124412/https://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/bollywood/interviews/akshay-kumar-on-gabbar-is-back-i-have-a-great/article_8b2b61f8-f054-11e4-a4e5-7f162b79a4f6.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pic-akshay-kumar-signs-mogul-at-the-lord-shiva-temple-in-maheshwar/articleshow/57988782.cms |title=Pic: Akshay Kumar signs 'Mogul' at the Lord Shiva temple in Maheshwar |date=3 April 2017 |website=The Times of India |access-date=11 March 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418073454/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pic-akshay-kumar-signs-mogul-at-the-lord-shiva-temple-in-maheshwar/articleshow/57988782.cms |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/maha-shivratri-akshay-kumar-tweeted-the-best-shiva-message-we-are-already-sending-it-to-friends-4541225/lite/ |title=Maha Shivaratri: Akshay Kumar tweeted the best Shiva message. We are already sending it to friends |date=24 February 2017 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=11 March 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124435/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/maha-shivratri-akshay-kumar-tweeted-the-best-shiva-message-we-are-already-sending-it-to-friends-4541225/lite/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://m.mid-day.com/amp/articles/bollywood-news-akshay-kumar-mandir-temple-true-meaning-social-messages-films/18216155 |title=Akshay Kumar reveals what he feels is the true meaning of 'mandir' |date=2 May 2017 |work=Mid-Day |access-date=11 March 2020 |agency=IANS |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124313/https://m.mid-day.com/amp/articles/bollywood-news-akshay-kumar-mandir-temple-true-meaning-social-messages-films/18216155 |url-status=live}} while in 2018 he said "there is only one God" and was against bringing religion into politics,{{Cite news |date=23 March 2018 |title=Bringing religion into politics not done, says Akshay Kumar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bringing-religion-into-politics-not-done-says-akshay-kumar/story-3QopL64wzxQ54cMn1tUHYM.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325090015/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bringing-religion-into-politics-not-done-says-akshay-kumar/story-3QopL64wzxQ54cMn1tUHYM.html |archive-date=25 March 2018 |access-date=12 December 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Press Trust of India}} but in March 2020 he stated, "I don't believe in any religion. I only believe in being Indian".{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar: 'I don't believe in any religion, I only believe in being Indian' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-i-don-t-believe-in-any-religion-i-only-believe-in-being-indian/story-U9w2JZxQVa84iTidAhLGDJ.html |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Press Trust of India |date=8 March 2020 |language=en |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310103025/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-i-don-t-believe-in-any-religion-i-only-believe-in-being-indian/story-U9w2JZxQVa84iTidAhLGDJ.html |url-status=live}}

Sometime during or after the 2011 Canadian federal election, the Conservative government there granted Canadian citizenship to Kumar by invoking a little-known law which allowed circumventing the usual residency requirement for Canadian immigrants. According to a former Conservative Party minister, Tony Clement, the citizenship was awarded in return for Kumar's offer of putting his "star power to use to advance Canada-Indian relations," and Canada's "trade relations, commercial relations, in the movie sector, in the tourism sector." Although Kumar had earlier appeared in a campaign event for Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Brampton, Ontario, a city with a large Indo-Canadian population,{{citation |last=Cheadle |first=Bruce |date=16 November 2009 |title=Harper goes Bollywood to sell Canada in India |work=The Star |location=Toronto |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/11/16/harper_goes_bollywood_to_sell_canada_in_india.html |quote="The sobering reminder of the entire region's often inflamed ethnic and religious violence stood in jarring contrast to Harper's next stop: a feel-good photo-opportunity in the penthouse of a pricey modern hotel with Akshay Kumar, an A-list Bollywood star and an Indo-Canadian, who brought out a huge throng of Indian media to an event promoting Canadian tourism. Harper also announced that Kumar, a black belt in karate, will be a torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics." |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713065537/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/11/16/harper_goes_bollywood_to_sell_canada_in_india.html |url-status=live}} and praised Harper, Clement denied that the citizenship was a reward for partisan support.{{citation |last=Blackwell |first=Tom |date=21 May 2019 |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/bollywood-actor-who-campaigned-for-stephen-harper-was-granted-canadian-citizenship-by-conservative-government |title=Bollywood actor who campaigned for Stephen Harper was granted Canadian citizenship by Conservative government |newspaper=Nationalpost |publisher=National Post |access-date=29 May 2020 |quote="In the thick of the 2011 federal election, Stephen Harper appeared in the Indo-Canadian heartland of Ontario with a ringer. At a campaign stop in Brampton, Bollywood mega-star Akshay Kumar praised the then prime minister, danced on stage with his wife, Laureen Harper, and thrilled the audience. And at some point, the Harper government invoked a little-known law to grant the actor Canadian citizenship, circumventing the usual, stringent residency requirements for would-be Canadians, says a former Conservative cabinet minister. MP Tony Clement, who as industry minister met with Kumar in Mumbai, says the citizenship grant was just a thank you for the actor's help in promoting Canadian tourism and trade to a huge emerging economy – not a reward for partisan support. 'Basically, he had offered to put that star power to use to advance Canada-India relations, our trade relations, our commercial relations, in the movie sector, in the tourism sector,' said Clement." |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200529234445/https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/bollywood-actor-who-campaigned-for-stephen-harper-was-granted-canadian-citizenship-by-conservative-government |url-status=live}} Kumar had received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Windsor, and in a 2010 interview with the Economist claimed he had "dual citizenship."{{cite news |title=The Q&A: Akshay Kumar, Bollywood ambassador |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2010/10/indian_cinema |access-date=23 June 2017 |newspaper=The Economist |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812055813/https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2010/10/indian_cinema |url-status=live}} He was one of the 15 international celebrities invited for the Olympics torch-bearer rally to Canada.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/fitness/Akshay-Kumars-fitness-mantra/articleshow/9440429.cms |title=Akshay Kumar's fitness mantra |work=The Times of India |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=2 August 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224195125/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/fitness/Akshay-Kumars-fitness-mantra/articleshow/9440429.cms |archive-date=24 December 2011}}

In December 2019, Kumar stated that he has applied for an Indian passport and plans to give up his Canadian citizenship.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/akshay-kumar-i-have-applied-for-an-indian-passport-but-i-am-hurt-that-i-have-to-prove-my-nationality-i-am-indian-to-resume-indian-citizenship-netizens-react-1626096-2019-12-07 |title=Akshay Kumar: I've applied for an Indian passport but I'm hurt that I have to prove my nationality |date=7 December 2019 |website=India Today |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207081951/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/akshay-kumar-i-have-applied-for-an-indian-passport-but-i-am-hurt-that-i-have-to-prove-my-nationality-i-am-indian-to-resume-indian-citizenship-netizens-react-1626096-2019-12-07 |url-status=live}} On 15 August 2023, on the occasion of Independence Day, Kumar confirmed he got Indian citizenship back and renounced his Canadian citizenship as required by Indian law.{{Cite news |date=15 August 2023 |title=Akshay Kumar gets Indian citizenship, shares proof on Twitter: 'Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-gets-indian-citizenship-shares-proof-on-twitter-101692081610166.html |access-date=15 August 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815065154/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-gets-indian-citizenship-shares-proof-on-twitter-101692081610166.html |url-status=live}}

File:AkshayKumar02.jpg

In Indian media, Kumar is referred as Khiladi or Khiladi Kumar for doing so many dangerous stunts by himself and also because of his Khiladi film series. In 2009, Madame Tussauds wanted to make his wax figure next because he has an international fan following. But he declined and said,"he don't want to be waxed because he does not think it is of that great importance".{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-declines-to-be-waxed/articleshow/4472851.cms |title=Akshay declines to be waxed! |website=The Times of India | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=15 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415210233/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-declines-to-be-waxed/articleshow/4472851.cms | url-status=live}} From 2015, he was continuously featured in Forbes{{'}}s highest paid actors top 10 list.{{Cite news |last=Dahiya |first=Medha Shri |author-link=Medha Shri Dahiya |date=9 August 2015 |title=Akshay Kumar: Chandni Chowk to Forbes highest-paid actors |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-chandni-chowk-to-forbes-highest-paid-actors/story-07mULTHhB8jpXeEJGLqeUO.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722044558/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-chandni-chowk-to-forbes-highest-paid-actors/story-07mULTHhB8jpXeEJGLqeUO.html |archive-date=22 July 2020 |work=Hindustan Times}} In 2019, he was fourth highest paid actor in the world behind Dwayne Johnson, Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr.. On the Forbes US list of World's 33rd Highest Earner with $65M.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/08/21/the-highest-paid-actors-2019-dwayne-johnson-bradley-cooper-and-chris-hemsworth/ |title=The Highest-Paid Actors 2019: Dwayne Johnson, Bradley Cooper and Chris Hemsworth |website=Forbes | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009091849/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/08/21/the-highest-paid-actors-2019-dwayne-johnson-bradley-cooper-and-chris-hemsworth/amp/ | url-status=live}} In 2020, He ranked sixth and only Indian actor in top 10 of highest paid actors list with $48.5M. Kumar is the first Indian film actor, whose films' domestic net lifetime collections crossed 1000 Crore Club by 2013, and {{INRConvert|30|b|year=2016|mode=historical}} by 2016.{{cite news |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5792 |title=Akshay Kumar Has A Historic Year |website=Box Office India |publisher=Box Office India Trade Network |date=8 January 2019 |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226204807/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5792 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/hit-count-actor.php |title=Hit Count Actor All Time |date=15 July 2016 |access-date= 15 July 2016 |archive-date= 12 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160712185744/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/hit-count-actor.php |url-status= dead}}*{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/forget-rs-100-crore-club-akshay-kumar-is-now-a-rs-2-000-crore-hero_128129.htm |title=Forget Rs 100 crore club, Akshay Kumar is now a Rs 2,000 crore hero! |publisher=Zee News |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217140601/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/forget-rs-100-crore-club-akshay-kumar-is-now-a-rs-2-000-crore-hero_128129.htm |archive-date=17 February 2013}}

• {{cite news |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-akshay-kumar-beats-salman-khan-shah-rukh-khan-earns-rs-2000-crore-4182209-NOR.html |title=Akshay Kumar beats Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, earns R 2000 crore |work=Daily Bhaskar |date=16 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220102629/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-akshay-kumar-beats-salman-khan-shah-rukh-khan-earns-rs-2000-crore-4182209-NOR.html |archive-date=20 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |last=Baker |first=Steven |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a459297/akshay-kumar-beats-salman-khan-shah-rukh-khan-to-2000-crore.html |title=Akshay Kumar beats Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan to 2,000 crore – Bollywood News |work=Digital Spy |date=16 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218070312/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a459297/akshay-kumar-beats-salman-khan-shah-rukh-khan-to-2000-crore.html |archive-date=18 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |author=Times News Network |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Akshay-Kumar-creates-history-with-2000-crore-league/articleshow/18555281.cms |title=Akshay Kumar creates history with 2000 crore league! |work=The Times of India |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219133952/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-18/news-interviews/37159441_1_actor-akshay-kumar-crore-club-humble-actor |archive-date=19 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-earns-rs-2000-crore/1/250670.html |title=Forget mighty Khans, Akshay Kumar is the first actor to earn Rs 2000 crore in his lifetime |work=India Today |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218102619/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-earns-rs-2000-crore/1/250670.html |archive-date=18 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Akshay-Kumar-now-worth-Rs-2-000-crore/Article1-1013368.aspx |title=Akshay Kumar now worth Rs 2,000 crore |work=Hindustan Times |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219220814/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Akshay-Kumar-now-worth-Rs-2-000-crore/Article1-1013368.aspx |archive-date=19 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/has-akshay-kumar-really-earned-rs-2000-crore-from-his-films/373596-8-66.html |title=Has Akshay Kumar really earned Rs 2000 crore from his films? |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220231812/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/has-akshay-kumar-really-earned-rs-2000-crore-from-his-films/373596-8-66.html |archive-date=20 February 2013}}

Kumar was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/fashion/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1762998 |title=Akshay Kumar: The sexiest man alive opens up |access-date=26 January 2009 |date=17 December 2008 |publisher=MSN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212104039/http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/fashion/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1762998 |archive-date=12 February 2009}} Kumar was awarded with NDTV Imagine Best Entertainer of the Year 2007 by the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards (FTPGI). In 2009, he was awarded the highest Japanese honour of "Katana" and a sixth degree Black Belt in Kuyukai Gojuryu Karate.{{cite web |title=Akshay thrilled to be honoured with Katana |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/akshay-thrilled-to-be-honoured-with-katana_100260574.html |publisher=ThaIndian News |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016212719/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/akshay-thrilled-to-be-honoured-with-katana_100260574.html |archive-date=16 October 2012}} He was one of the 15 international celebrities invited for the Olympics torch-bearer rally to Canada in 2009.{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar will be torch bearer from India for 2010 Olympics |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/award/filmfare-award/2009-2/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927094801/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/11/12/13463/index.html |archive-date=27 September 2012}} Kumar bagged the Ultimate Man of the Year at the prestigious GQ Awards in 2015.{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar bags The Ultimate Man of The Year title at GQ Awards! |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-bags-the-ultimate-man-of-the-year-title-at-gq-awards-581174/ |website=india.com |access-date=12 November 2022 |date=27 September 2015 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173301/https://www.india.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-bags-the-ultimate-man-of-the-year-title-at-gq-awards-581174/ |url-status=live}} He won the HT Hottest Trendsetter (Male) award at the HT India's Most Stylish in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/ht-india-s-most-stylish-akshay-kumar-says-he-was-offered-bhaag-milkha-bhaag-regrets-turning-it-down/story-Hc4iACSE1YPifBVPiUqKqO.html |title=HT India's Most Stylish: Akshay Kumar says he was offered Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, regrets turning it down |date=30 March 2019 | access-date=10 October 2022 | archive-date=10 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010083434/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/ht-india-s-most-stylish-akshay-kumar-says-he-was-offered-bhaag-milkha-bhaag-regrets-turning-it-down/story-Hc4iACSE1YPifBVPiUqKqO_amp.html | url-status=live}}

Kumar has great brand value and holds strong credibility in the advertising world. In 2020, Kumar has topped the list with brand value of $118M he has seen a jump of 13% by previous years.{{cite web |url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/akshay-kumar-actors-brand-value-soars-to-rs-866-crores/ |title=Akshay Kumar: Actor's Brand Value Soars to Rs 866 Crores |date=8 February 2021 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=1 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101113920/https://www.mansworldindia.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-actors-brand-value-soars-to-rs-866-crores/amp/ | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/marketing-news/birthday-boy-akshay-kumar-keeps-winning-brands-hearts-122292.html |title=Birthday boy Akshay Kumar keeps winning brands & hearts – Exchange4media |date=9 September 2022 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173301/https://www.exchange4media.com/marketing-news/birthday-boy-akshay-kumar-keeps-winning-brands-hearts-122292.html | url-status=live}} According to Duff and Phelps, Kumar was third most valued celebrity with $139M in 2021.{{cite web |url=https://dailytrendsfeed.in/entertainment/endorsement-fees-of-top-bollywood-celebrities-check-out-how-much-your-favorite-celebs-charge-for-brands/ |title=Endorsement Fees of Top Bollywood Celebrities |date=11 August 2021 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173311/https://dailytrendsfeed.in/entertainment/endorsement-fees-of-top-bollywood-celebrities-check-out-how-much-your-favorite-celebs-charge-for-brands/ | url-status=live}} Kumar has endorsed brands including Thums Up, Honda, Tata Motors, Dollar, Harpic, Sparx, Livguard Battery, and Kajarai Tiles. He was also brand ambassador of Canada Tourism.{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-be-brand-ambassador-for-canada-tourism/ |title=Akshay Kumar to be brand ambassador for Canada Tourism : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=19 February 2011 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173300/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-be-brand-ambassador-for-canada-tourism/ | url-status=live}} Kumar ranked number 1 on TAM's list of most visible stars in TV ads with an average visibility of 37 hours per day across all channels since 2019 to 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/tv-ads-2020-akshay-kumar-virat-kohli-top-two-most-visible-celebs/article33781715.ece |title=TV ads 2020: Akshay Kumar, Virat Kohli top two 'most visible celebs' |date=8 February 2021 | access-date=23 October 2022 | archive-date=23 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023023959/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/tv-ads-2020-akshay-kumar-virat-kohli-top-two-most-visible-celebs/article33781715.ece | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-top-spot-advertising-alia-bhatt-8215202/ |title=Akshay Kumar bags top spot on TAM's list of most visible stars in TV ads, beats Alia Bhatt |date=18 October 2022 | access-date=23 October 2022 | archive-date=23 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023023958/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-top-spot-advertising-alia-bhatt-8215202/ | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-ranks-number-1-on-tam-s-list-of-most-visible-stars-in-tv-ads-101666080791160.html |title=Akshay Kumar ranks number 1 on TAM's list of most visible stars in TV ads |date=18 October 2022 | access-date=23 October 2022 | archive-date=23 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023024000/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-ranks-number-1-on-tam-s-list-of-most-visible-stars-in-tv-ads-101666080791160.html | url-status=live}}

Kumar has significant fan following in Indian diaspora as well as in European and African countries. As of September 2022, He is most followed Indian actor on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/web-stories/indias-top-10-most-followed-celebrities-on-instagram/slideshow/92769440.cms |title=India's top 10 most-followed celebrities on Instagram | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=19 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019012406/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/web-stories/indias-top-10-most-followed-celebrities-on-instagram/slideshow/92769440.cms | url-status=live}} Memes from his comedy movies, especially his face expressions are hugely popular on social media.{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/akshay-kumars-fiery-stunt-for-his-digital-debut-set-meme-makers-in-motion-5613493/ |title=Akshay Kumar's fiery stunt for a new show inspires many memes |date=6 March 2019 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009185909/https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/akshay-kumars-fiery-stunt-for-his-digital-debut-set-meme-makers-in-motion-5613493/ | url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/akshay-kumar-recreates-iconic-phir-hera-pheri-meme-to-create-sooryavanshi-hype/ |title=Akshay Kumar Recreates Iconic 'Phir Hera Pheri' Meme to Create 'Sooryavanshi' Hype |date=November 2021 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009185909/https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/akshay-kumar-recreates-iconic-phir-hera-pheri-meme-to-create-sooryavanshi-hype/ | url-status=live}} In 2019, interviewed Modi on TV,{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-gets-candid-with-modi-discusses-mangoes-sleep-and-the-dream-to-become-pm/articleshow/69018129.cms |title=PM Modi Interview | Akshay Kumar- PM Modi interview: PM talks about memes; offers clarification on 'strict' leader reputation |newspaper=The Economic Times | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173304/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-gets-candid-with-modi-discusses-mangoes-sleep-and-the-dream-to-become-pm/articleshow/69018129.cms | url-status=live}} which concluded as controversies in social media, later he clarified that it was a personal interview as a common man, not political.{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-interview-pm-narendra-modi-common-man-looked-fake-7947011/ |title=Akshay Kumar said that he interviewed PM Modi as a 'common man': 'Policy related questions would have looked fake' |date=June 2022 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009173301/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-interview-pm-narendra-modi-common-man-looked-fake-7947011/ | url-status=live}} Since 2013, Kumar has been the Hindi film industry's highest advance taxpayer for six consecutive years. He paid {{INRConvert|190|m|year=2013|mode=historical}} as advance tax payment in that year.{{cite news |last1=Dubey |first1=Bharti |last2=Pandey |first2=Piyush |title=Akshay Kumar Bollywood's top advance taxpayer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-Bollywoods-top-advance-taxpayer/articleshow/19083337.cms |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=The Times of India |date=20 March 2013 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107054738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-Bollywoods-top-advance-taxpayer/articleshow/19083337.cms |url-status=live}} In August 2022, he got a certificate from Income Tax department for being highest tax payer.{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-on-being-the-highest-tax-payer-8068638/ |title=Akshay Kumar on being the highest tax payer: 'Good to give back to the country…' |date=3 August 2022 | access-date=9 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009101225/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-on-being-the-highest-tax-payer-8068638/ | url-status=live}} Kumar has criticised award functions and doesn't believe in it saying, "Organizers have asked me to perform at award nights. They said that they would pay me half the price and they would also give me an award. I replied saying, 'You pay me the whole amount and keep your award.'"{{cite web |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/371966/organizers-have-called-me-perform-award-nights-exchange-award-akshay-kumar |title=Organizers have called me to perform at award nights in exchange for an award: Akshay Kumar |date=2 February 2017 | access-date=10 October 2022 | archive-date=10 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010083435/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/371966/organizers-have-called-me-perform-award-nights-exchange-award-akshay-kumar | url-status=dead}} He called National Film Award, most prestigious award of the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-on-national-award-win-for-rustom-i-ve-never-cheated-to-win-an-award/story-BDTl5Lz6c9dYGIgCyDxXkO.html |title=Akshay Kumar on National Award win for Rustom: I've never cheated to win an award |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 April 2017 | access-date=10 October 2022 | archive-date=10 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010083434/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-on-national-award-win-for-rustom-i-ve-never-cheated-to-win-an-award/story-BDTl5Lz6c9dYGIgCyDxXkO.html | url-status=live}}

Kumar holds the Guinness World Records for the most 184 Selfies taken in three minutes at a promotional event of his film Selfiee in Mumbai. He talked to the media and termed it as a 'way of paying tribute' to his fans.{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/akshay-sets-world-selfie-record/20230223.htm |title=Akshay Sets World Selfie Record! | access-date=23 February 2023 | archive-date=23 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223071116/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/akshay-sets-world-selfie-record/20230223.htm | url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-maximum-selfies-clicks-184-pics-in-3-mins/articleshow/98152870.cms |title=Akshay Kumar breaks Guinness World Record for maximum selfies, clicks 184 pics in 3 mins |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=22 February 2023 | access-date=23 February 2023 | archive-date=23 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223062647/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-maximum-selfies-clicks-184-pics-in-3-mins/articleshow/98152870.cms | url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/omg-akshay-kumar-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-most-selfies-taken-in-3-minutes/videoshow/98155626.cms |title=OMG! Akshay Kumar breaks Guinness World Record for most selfies taken in 3 minutes |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=23 February 2023 | archive-date=1 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101113919/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/omg-akshay-kumar-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-most-selfies-taken-in-3-minutes/videoshow/98155626.cms | url-status=live}} In March 2023, Kumar performed in various cities in the United States for "The Entertainers" tour, alongside Disha Patani, Mouni Roy, Nora Fatehi, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, Stebin Ben and Zahrah S Khan.{{Cite web |title=Akshay Kumar reaches Atlanta ahead of The Entertainers tour in US, receives grand welcome |work=Firstpost |date=1 March 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-reaches-atlanta-ahead-of-the-entertainers-tour-in-us-receives-grand-welcome-12227772.html/amp |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315223313/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-reaches-atlanta-ahead-of-the-entertainers-tour-in-us-receives-grand-welcome-12227772.html/amp |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Inside Akshay Kumar-led The Entertainers tour with Mouni Roy, Disha Patani and Sonam Bajwa |work=Indian Express |date=5 March 2023 |access-date=10 March 2023 |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/inside-akshay-kumar-led-the-entertainers-tour-with-mouni-roy-disha-patani-and-sonam-bajwa-8480502/ |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309201223/https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/inside-akshay-kumar-led-the-entertainers-tour-with-mouni-roy-disha-patani-and-sonam-bajwa-8480502/ |url-status=live}}

File:The_Brand_ambassador_of_Road_Safety_Campaign,_Shri_Akshay_Kumar_addressing_the_gathering_at_the_launch_of_the_Road_Safety_Awareness_Programme,_in_New_Delhi_on_August_14,_2018.JPG]]

Kumar is one of India's most philanthropic celebrities, does a lot of helps and donations, continues the good work offscreen with his philanthropy and services.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/akshay-kumar/?sh=47a51ed3587b |title=Akshay Kumar |website=Forbes}} He and his co-star Tamannaah Bhatia donated all the clothes from their film 2014 Entertainment to an animal welfare charity. Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals (YODA) is an organisation which works for the welfare of street animals.{{cite web |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-and-tamannaah-bhatia-donates-entertainment-clothes-for-strays-110281/ |title=Akshay Kumar and Tamannaah Bhatia donates 'Entertainment' clothes for strays |date=4 August 2014}} He has also donated {{INRConvert|5|m|year=2012|mode=historical}} to Salman Khan's Being Human Foundation. Kumar also had donated a sum of ₹9 million to drought hit farmers in Maharashtra in 2015, Khan himself tweeted on Twitter.[http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-what-akshay-kumar-did-for-farmers-will-make-you-salute-him-2130248 What Akshay Kumar did for farmers will make you salute him!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010153135/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-what-akshay-kumar-did-for-farmers-will-make-you-salute-him-2130248 |date=10 October 2015 }}. Daily News and Analysis. Upala KBR. 30 September 2015[http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/akshay-kumar-lends-a-helping-hand-to-farmers-donates-rs-90-lakhs_1797799.html Akshay Kumar lends a helping hand to farmers, donates ₹90 lakhs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019201722/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/akshay-kumar-lends-a-helping-hand-to-farmers-donates-rs-90-lakhs_1797799.html |date=19 October 2015 }}. Zee News. Gayatri Shankar. 16 September 2015 Kumar also helped a contestant of TV reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi by giving him Rs. 25 lakh after knowing that the contestant needed the prize money of the show for his father's cancer treatment. He has also donated ₹5 million to aid drought affected people through the Maharashtra government's Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan.{{cite news |title=Maharashtra Drought: Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar Donates Rs 50 Lakh For The Cause |url=http://www.abplive.in/photos/maharashtra-drought-bollywood-actor-akshay-kumar-donates-rs-50-lakh-for-the-cause-325133 |publisher=ABP Live |date=19 April 2016 |access-date=20 April 2016 |archive-date=20 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420053303/http://www.abplive.in/photos/maharashtra-drought-bollywood-actor-akshay-kumar-donates-rs-50-lakh-for-the-cause-325133 |url-status=live}} In March 2013, he started a 30-bed cancer shelter for policemen in Naigaon.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Akshay Kumar's tribute to his dad |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tabloid/akshay-kumar-s-tribute-to-his-dad/article1-1026259.aspx |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 March 2013 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031190927/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tabloid/akshay-kumar-s-tribute-to-his-dad/article1-1026259.aspx |url-status=dead}} In December 2013, Vishwas Nangre Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police, West Mumbai visited his gym along with several trainee officers.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Priya |title=Akshay Kumar trains and impresses real cops |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-trains-and-impresses-real-cops/articleshow/26743004.cms |access-date=6 November 2014 |work=The Times of India |date=3 December 2013}} Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, on whose life Deepika Padukone's Chapaak was based is also an activist. Some years ago, she was struggling to make ends meet. Kumar came to her rescue and transferred Rs. 5 Lakh into her account so that she could fend for herself until she found a job, because medals, awards and certificates don't pay the bills.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/akshay-kumar-what-sets-him-apart-from-the-khans/akshay-kumar-lends-a-helping-hand-to-acid-attack-survivor-laxmi-agarwal/photostory/65886518.cms |title=Akshay Kumar lends a helping hand to acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal – Akshay Kumar: What sets him apart from the Khans |website=The Times of India}}

He launched an insurance scheme for the registered stunt directors in 2017. The family of deceased stunt director Abdul Sattar Munna has received a compensation of Rs. 20 lakh under the same scheme. Now, the actor has been asked to help those stunt choreographers who are above 55 years of age and therefore, aren't eligible to have insurance in their name.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-new-brainchild-an-insurance-scheme-for-stuntmen-stuntwomen/story-4WayVDAQhYtF1uAj4GuetN.html |title=Akshay Kumar's new brainchild: An insurance scheme for stuntmen, stuntwomen |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 April 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-if-there-was-no-stuntman-there-would-be-no-hero-akshay-kumar-2415328 |title=If there was no stuntman, there would be no hero: Akshay Kumar |website=DNA India}}

During the promotions of Rustom, Kumar expressed his wish of serving the nation but destiny held something else in store for him. He has played a soldier in Holiday and Kesari, a special agent in Baby and a naval officer in Rustom. The actor was applauded by many for showing his concern towards the families of 12 slain jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) who were killed in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday, 11 March 2017. He donated Rs. 1.08 crore to the families of the martyred jawans.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-donates-rs-1-08-cr-to-martyred-jawans-9-times-he-helped-people-in-need-4573062/lite/ |title=Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1.08 cr to martyred jawans: 9 times he helped people in need |date=17 March 2017}} In August 2016, Kumar had donated Rs. 80 lakh to the families of army men. He gave Rs 5 lakh to each family and said our soldiers need money along with "samman". In October 2016, Akshay donated Rs. 9 lakh to the family of a martyred BSF jawan.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/web-portal-to-donate-money-to-capf-martyrs-launched-by-govt/articleshow/58096165.cms |title=Akshay Kumar's idea gets life: Web portal to donate money to martyred jawans launched by govt |website=The Times of India |date=10 April 2017}}

He also donated Rs. 1.5 crore to build the shelter for transgender persons in Chennai. He is supporting the construction of the home. Laxmii{{'}}s director Raghava Lawrence shared the "good news" of the actor's new initiative with friends and fans along with some pictures on Facebook.{{cite web |date=March 2020 |title=Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1.5 crores for 'first transgender home in India' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-donates-rs-1-5-crores-for-first-transgender-home-in-india/story-Tvg7t95jUmVC1UKLJrpdLJ.html |website=Hindustan Times}}

Kumar endorses Swachh Bharat Mission, Builds Toilets in Madhya Pradesh, he had previously posted a video on social media, talking about the importance of having individual toilets at home, His movie Toilet was also based on Toilet's importance.{{cite web |url=https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/akshay-kumar-endorses-swachh-bharat-abhiyan-builds-toilets-madhya-pradesh-5914/ |title=Akshay Kumar Endorses Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Builds Toilets in Madhya Pradesh |date=3 April 2017}} He was named Uttarakhand's brand ambassador for 'Swachhta Abhiyaan'.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/akshay-kumar-named-uttarakhand-s-brand-ambassador-for-swachhata-abhiyan/story-HU0g39rk2CtUAvS0BUgu4O.html |title=Akshay Kumar named Uttarakhand's brand ambassador for 'Swachhata Abhiyan' |date=18 September 2017}}

In 2017, Kumar launched the Bharat Ke Veer app, with the help of the home ministry. The platform lets people send money directly to the bank accounts of family members of soldiers martyred in the line of duty. On The Kapil Sharma Show, Akshay said that he was only carrying out his responsibility as a citizen with the app. "Hum yeh kahenge, ki hum apna kartvaya nibhate hai… Jo shaheed hote hai, unka nuksaan hum kabhi bhar nahi paayenge. That is for sure. Sarkar unko jo deti hai, woh deti hai. Lekin, as a civilian, humara bhi toh kuch kartavya banta hai. Yeh aisa app hai… Na iske beech mein koi NGO hai, na koi sarkar hai," he said.{{cite web |date=10 April 2017 |title=Akshay Kumar in tears as he launches his dream app for Indian jawans, see photo |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-in-tears-as-he-launches-his-dream-app-for-indian-jawans-see-pics-4607000/ |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=The Indian Express}}{{cite web |url=https://bollyspice.com/akshay-kumar-launches-bharat-ke-veer-app/ |title=Akshay Kumar launches 'Bharat Ke Veer' App |date=15 April 2017}} In the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack on the CRPF jawans, Kumar came forward to help the families of those sacrificed their lives in the attack. He donated Rs. 15 Lakh to a martyred jawan's family and even urged his fans to do the same. He further pledged to donate Rs. 5 crore through 'Bharat Ke Veer' app. He additionally donated Rs. 9 Lakh each to the families of 12 CRPF jawans who were killed in Chhattisgarh.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pulwama-terror-attack-akshay-kumar-to-donate-rs-5-cr-to-soldiers/story-DKczg1WePyH2XnyAtrxelJ.html |title=Pulwama terror attack: Akshay Kumar to donate Rs 5 cr to soldiers |work=Hindustan Times |date=18 February 2019}} In Mid-2020 when Kerala, Assam and Chennai were left devastated as they were hit by floods that severely affected several families as they lost their houses, land, crops, many people died. Kumar donated a sum of Rs. 1 crore each to not just Kerala but also Assam and Chennai. CM Sonowal thanks Kumar.{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-donates-rs-1cr-towards-assam-flood-relief-cm-sonowal-thanks-actor/articleshow/77613050.cms |title=Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1cr towards Assam flood relief, CM Sonowal thanks actor |newspaper=The Economic Times}}

Kumar was one of the first personalities from Bollywood to contribute to the PM CARES Fund right at the start of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, He donated Rs. 25 crores to the Prime Minister's Fund{{cite web |url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/akshay-kumar-pledges-rs-25-crore-to-pm-cares-fund-11585398609812.html |title=Akshay Kumar pledges ₹25 crore to PM-CARES FUND |work=mint |date=28 March 2020 |last1=Jha |first1=Lata }}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bollywood-actor-akshay-kumar-donates-25-crore-to-fund-to-fight-virus/article31193779.ece |title=Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar donates ₹25 crore to fund to fight virus |newspaper=The Hindu |date=28 March 2020}} and another crore to ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir's charity for the same cause. The former cricketer revealed on Twitter that Akshay Kumar had donated Rs. 1 crore to his foundation during the deadly second wave to help people affected by the novel coronavirus. Gambhir wrote, "Every help in this gloom comes as a ray of hope. Thanks a lot Akshay Kumar for committing Rs 1 crore to #GGF for food, meds and oxygen for the needy! God bless."{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-donates-rs-1-crore-to-gautam-gambhir-foundation-wish-we-get-out-of-this-crisis-soon-7287561/ |title=Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1 crore to Gautam Gambhir Foundation: 'Wish we get out of this crisis soon' |date=24 April 2021}}

In 2021, Kumar donated {{INR}}1 crore for construction of a school building in Neeru Village of Bandipora district in Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite news |last=Entertainment Desk |first=India TV |date=17 June 2021 |title=Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1 crore for school building in J&K's LoC village |work=India Tv |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/akshay-kumar-donates-rs-1-crore-for-school-building-in-j-k-s-loc-village-712543 |access-date=21 June 2021}}

In August 2024, Kumar donated {{INR}}1.21 crore to Haji Ali Dargah for its maintenance.{{cite news |title=Religion no bound: Akshay Kumar donates ₹1.21 cr to Haji Ali Dargah after pitching ₹3 cr for Ram Mandir construction |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/religion-no-bound-akshay-kumar-donates-1-21-cr-to-haji-ali-dargah-after-pitching-3-cr-for-ram-mandir-construction-101723099148184.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 August 2024 |access-date=10 August 2024}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Akshay Kumar}}

File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Rajat Kamal Award to the Actor, Shri Akshay Kumar for Best Actor Rustom, at the 64th National Film Awards Function, in New Delhi.jpg in May 2017]]

Kumar has been recipient of two Filmfare Awards from 13 nominations: Best Villain for Ajnabee (2002) and Best Comedian for Garam Masala (2006), and a National Film Award for Best Actor for the films Rustom and Airlift (both 2016).{{cite web |url=http://www.dff.nic.in/writereaddata/NFA64PressNote2016.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407233530/http://www.dff.nic.in/writereaddata/NFA64PressNote2016.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 April 2017 |title=64 th National Film Awards, 2016 |date=7 April 2017 |work=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=7 April 2017}}{{Cite magazine |title=64th National Film Awards: Akshay Kumar wins Best Actor for Rustom, Shivaay wins Best VFX award |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-rustom-national-award-best-actor-shivaay-visual-effects-970040-2017-04-07 |magazine=India Today |date=7 April 2017 |access-date=4 November 2020}} In 2008, the University of Windsor conferred an honorary Doctorate of Law on Kumar in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=6c57a4c5-b6b2-4292-9ba3-98b24b3ae199&&Headline=Canada+varsity+honours+Akshay+Kumar |title=Canada varsity honours Akshay Kumar |date=14 May 2008 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313025251/http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=6c57a4c5-b6b2-4292-9ba3-98b24b3ae199&&Headline=Canada+varsity+honours+Akshay+Kumar |archive-date=13 March 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Akshay-Kumar-gets-honorary-doctorate/articleshow/3038978.cms |title=Akshay Kumar gets honorary doctorate |date=14 May 2008 |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716100543/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-14/india/27768262_1_doctorate-akshay-kumar-azmi-and-shilpa-shetty |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=live}} The following year, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Akshay_dedicates_Padmashri_to_fans/articleshow/4032826.cms |title=Overwhelmed Akshay Kumar dedicates Padmashri to fans |date=26 January 2009 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=26 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130230845/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Akshay_dedicates_Padmashri_to_fans/articleshow/4032826.cms |archive-date=30 January 2009 |location=India}} In 2011, The Asian Awards honoured Kumar for his outstanding achievement in Cinema.{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-honoured-at-annual-asian-awards/194882-8-66.html |title=Akshay Kumar honoured at Annual Asian awards |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228113223/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-honoured-at-annual-asian-awards/194882-8-66.html |archive-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=dead |publisher=CNN-IBN}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/superstars-who-have-never-won-the-filmfare-award-for-best-actor/photostory/30284558.cms |title=Superstars who have never won awards |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417023500/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Superstars-who-have-never-won-awards/photostory/30284558.cms |archive-date=17 April 2014}}

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