Akshay Hari Om Bhatia[1] (born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia; 9 September 1967[2]), known
professionally as Akshay Kumar (pronounced [əkˈʂəj kʊˈmaːɾ]), is an Indian actor
and film producer working in Hindi cinema. Referred to in the media as "Khiladi
Kumar",[3][4] through his career spanning over 30 years, Kumar has appeared in over
150 films and has won several awards, including two National Film Awards and two
Filmfare Awards. He received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian
honour, from the Government of India in 2009. Kumar is one of the most prolific
actors in Indian cinema.[5][6] Forbes included Kumar in their lists of both
highest-paid celebrities and highest-paid actors in the world from 2015 to 2020.[7]
[8] Between 2019 and 2020, he was the only Indian on both lists.[9][10][11]
Kumar began his career in 1991 with Saugandh and had his first commercial success a
year later with the action thriller Khiladi. The film established him as an action
star in the 1990s and led to several films in the Khiladi film series, in addition
to other action films such as Mohra (1994) and Jaanwar (1999). Although his early
tryst with romance in Yeh Dillagi (1994) was positively received, it was in the
next decade that Kumar expanded his range of roles. He gained recognition for the
romantic films Dhadkan (2000), Andaaz (2003), Namastey London (2007), and for his
slapstick comic performances in several films including Hera Pheri (2000), Mujhse
Shaadi Karogi (2004), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and Singh Is
Kinng (2008). Kumar won Filmfare Awards for his negative role in Ajnabee (2001) and
his comic performance in Garam Masala (2005).
While his career had fluctuated commercially, his mainstream success soared in 2007
with four consecutive box-office hits; it was consistent until a short period of
decline between 2009 and 2011, after which he reinforced his status with several
films, including Rowdy Rathore (2012) and Holiday (2014). Moreover, around this
time critical response to several of his films improved; his work in Special 26
(2013), Baby (2015), Airlift (2016), and Jolly LLB 2 (2017) was acclaimed, and he
won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the crime thriller Rustom (2016). He
earned further notice for his self-produced social films Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
(2017) and Pad Man (2018), as well as the war film Kesari (2019), and set box-
office records in 2019 with Kesari, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, Good Newwz, and
the 2021 action film Sooryavanshi. All of Kumar's subsequent theatrical releases
failed commercially, with the exception of the comedy-drama OMG 2 (2023).[12]
In addition to acting, Kumar has worked as a stunt actor.[a] In 2008, he started
hosting Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, which he did for four seasons. He also
launched the TV reality show Dare 2 Dance in 2014 and his off-screen work includes
ownership of the team Khalsa Warriors in the World Kabaddi League. The actor had
also set up martial arts training schools for women safety in the country.[14][15]
Kumar is one of the India's most philanthropic actor and supports various
charities. He is a leading brand endorser celebrity in India.[16] From 2011 to
2023, he was a citizen of Canada.[17][18][19]
