Upcoming film is not an biographical: Akshay

MUMBAI: Actor Akshay Kumar Tuesday said that his upcoming film "Chandni Chowk to China" was not a biographical account.
       
"The only similarity was that like myself in real life, the protagonist also works as a cook," Akshay who is originally from Delhi and worked as a cook in Bangkok before
making it big in Bollywood, told reporters at the music launch of the film.

The actor whose recent releases have raked up over Rs 500 crore worldwide virtually threatening to upstage Bollywood 'badshah' Shah Rukh Khan, said that he owed his
success to hard work and blessings of parents.
       
"People like me and Shah Rukh had no forefathers in the film industry. But, we made it due to hard work and blessings of parents. If we can do it,anybody can," he said.
       
Akshay described "Chandni Chowk to China" as an international film which showcases Kung fu in Bollywood for the first time.
       
"I always want to be my character in a film and hence practicising Kung fu was very hard.

"I shared screen space with Sir Gordan Liu who introduced Kung Fu to big screen
several years ago," he said.

Akshay said "Chandni Chowk to China" starring himself with Deepika Padukone in the lead and produced by Rohan Sippy and Warner Brothers, has been a memorable experience.

"It is for the first time that a Bollywood film has been shot at the 'Great Wall of China'. Not even a Hollywood film has been shot there so far. Kung Fu requires lot of
discipline and the film will showcase the need for discipline in one's life. We need discipline in our country as well," the actor said. 

Speaking about his experience working with Chinese cast and crew in the film, Akshay said their techniques of camera work was very different from Bollywood.
       
He also said that profession of stunt in films is growing to be a good profession.
       
"Earlier, our stuntmen were bulky, short. But, today they are true professionals who have worked hard to built their bodies and become strong physically and mentally. They
have brought a new look to action films," he added.
       
The film's director Nikhil Advani, said he had no difficulty in directing an action comedy after two romantic films (Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam-e-Ishq) because script writer
Sridhar Raghavan and producer Rohan Sippy had done their home work right.

"They had visualised the film perfectly which made my job very easy," Advani said.
       
Deepika said, she plays a double role and trained for six months for different stunts which she had to perform in the film.
       
Rohan Sippy said "Chandni Chowk to China" will release on January 16, 2009 in 1400 screens in India. "We are still working out the number of prints overseas. But, it will be the biggest release especially in the United States," he added.
    
Nikhil Advani said the film which was earlier scheduled for the Diwali release was postponed due to technical problems. 

Speaking about his experience working with Chinese cast and crew in the film, Akshay said their techniques of camera work were very different from Bollywood.
    
He also said that stuntmen have become more professional.

"Earlier, our stuntmen were bulky, short. But, today they are true professionals who have worked hard to built their bodies and become strong physically and mentally. They have brought a new look to action films," he added.
    
The film's director Nikhil Advani, said he had no difficulty in directing an action comedy after two romantic films (Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam-e-Ishq) because script writer
Sridhar Raghavan and producer Rohan Sippy had done their home work right.
    
"They had visualised the film perfectly which made my job very easy," Advani said.
    
Deepika said she plays a double role and trained for six months for different stunts which she had to perform in the film.
    
Rohan Sippy said "Chandni Chowk to China" will release on January 16, 2009 in 1400 screens in India. "We are still working out the number of prints overseas. But, it will be the biggest release especially in the United States," he added.
  
Nikhil Advani said the film which was earlier scheduled for Diwali release but was postponed due to technical problems.