I am Salman Khan 'bhakt': Akshaye Khanna

Actor Akshaye Khanna is one of the few actors, who effortlessly manage to keep away from the limelight. This despite the fact that he’s always been a part of the film family with dad and actor Vinod Khanna being a popular star even today. However, Akshaye feels that staying away from the limelight has much to do with his inability to ‘be creative and concoct stories that some actors do’ to be in the news. “I am not very creative, so I can’t see myself spreading false stories and rumours about my personal life to make it seem interesting and happening. I am not very interesting, I lead a simple life, unlike an actor.  Also I’m a very private person, so I prefer keeping it low,” says Akshaye.

Surprisngly, the star has also managed to stay away from controversies and even link ups. So, what is his relationship status like? “First of all, I’m just 36-year-old. And Salman’s (actor Salman Khan) my inspiration. I’m absolutely his follower. So until my guru gets married, how can I? But at whatever age he gets married, say if he marries when he is 48 years old, then I too will marry around that age. Till then I am happy being single and enjoying life on my terms,” he explains.

Prod if his parents push him for marriage and he adds, “Of course they do. Mum keeps telling me about marriage in her own different ways. Sometimes it’s out of anger, sometimes she insists that I at least see the prospective girls, who knows I may even like them so much that I would want to marry her tommorrow and so on...” But Akshaye reveals that he just isn’t biting the bait yet.

The actor, who will be seen in Rumy Jafry’s Gali Gali Shor Hai as a common man who decides to fight against the wrongs in the system, feels that since it’s written and portrayed in an entertaining manner, the film won’t be preachy at all. “I don’t want to be preaching anything. I loved the script as it’s a satire and in a fun way addresses the issue of corruption being really deep-rooted.”

Ask if social activist Anna Hazare’s movement led to this film? “That I think Rumy and Nitinji (producer Nitin Manmohan) can answer. But what impressed me is that you can be a beggar or Prime Minister and the laws are the same for all. And for years now we hear people talk about corruption and all. However this 70-year-old man, Anna Hazare felt strongly about it enough,  hence put everything else in  life on a back seat and single mindedly focus on the issue. And to do that in a non violent manner, which got lakhs of people together in his support is exceptional,” says Akshaye.

k_prachi@dnaindia.net