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Akshay Kumar Downplays Box Office Rivalry with John Abraham
August 15 is poised to be a significant date for the Hindi film industry, as it will see the release of three major films: Khel Khel Mein, Stree 2, and Vedaa. This date marks the third Independence Day showdown between Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, who have previously faced off at the box office in 2018 with Gold and Satyameva Jayate, and again in 2019 with Mission Mangal and Batla House. Nevertheless, both actors maintain a positive relationship, asserting that these competitive moments do not affect their camaraderie.
In a recent interview with News18 Showsha, Akshay Kumar expressed that he is not concerned about releasing Khel Khel Mein on the same date as Abraham’s film. He stated, “Yes, we’ll be working again, hopefully soon. We’re very good friends. We’re close buddies. Clashes at the box office keep happening. It’s not a big deal at all. It’s just a clash and not a slash.” This marks a continuation of their friendly rivalry, highlighted by a joint promotional effort in 2019 where they encouraged fans to support both films.
Khel Khel Mein signifies Akshay’s return to comedy after a hiatus of five years, following his last comedy film, Housefull 4. He expressed enthusiasm about diving back into humor, noting, “I haven’t done a comedy since Housefull 4. And I do enjoy doing comedy films. Having said that, I also enjoy doing other kinds of films.” Alongside Khel Khel Mein, he has several comedic projects lined up, including Housefull 5 and Hera Pheri 3, showcasing his continuous commitment to entertaining audiences.
During the trailer launch of Khel Khel Mein, director Mudassar Aziz expressed his goodwill towards the competing releases, demonstrating a sense of camaraderie within the industry. Actor Fardeen Khan echoed this sentiment, recognizing the hard work that goes into filmmaking and stating, “This is a profession of blood, sweat and tears. I don’t look at it as a clash. It’s a long weekend and we want everyone’s films to do well and we wish everyone the best.” This highlights a collective desire among filmmakers and actors to see each other succeed, despite the competitive nature of the industry.
Ammy Virk shared a similar perspective, suggesting that having three major films released simultaneously creates an opportunity rather than competition. He believed that this could result in better box office numbers overall, stating, “I think more and more people will come to the theatre. I don’t think this situation will lead to any kind of losses. I think Jinki chutti hai, mauj hai unki.” He encouraged audiences to enjoy all three films, further emphasizing the idea that variety can enhance the cinema-going experience.
Aditya Seal joined the conversation, suggesting that people should flock to theaters regardless of the films’ competition, reinforcing the collective spirit among the actors. He noted, “Stree, purush, bhai, behen… everyone should flock to the theatre!” The actors’ comments reflect an evolving landscape in Bollywood where collaboration and mutual support are valued alongside healthy competition.
Source
www.news18.com