Akshay Kumar didn’t have even Rs. 200

Akshay Kumar became the only Indian to feature in Forbes’ list of World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities of 2019. The superstar has delivered a series of hit films and is awaiting the release of his yet another much-talked about film Mission Mangal.

But Akshay’s career graph hasn’t always surged. Things went south more than thrice in his career when his films began to flop. But, in a recent inteview with an entertainment website, Akshay revealed that he never lost hope during the struggling phase of his career.

Talking to the website, he said, “I will tell you a few incidents. And it has happened many times. I have seen the lowest phases. I have gone through ups and downs at least three four times in my career, which is a lot for any actor.”

He further said, “But every time I have gone through it, I just do one thing – I go down my building and see how many cars I have. Then, I look at my house, sometimes I go to my office and look at everything. Kyun ro raha hoon main? Fayda kya hai? God has been so kind so I don’t think I have the right to feel even a little low because there are so many people who have nothing. If I start thinking like this, then I would be the most selfish person ever.”

Akshay also revealed that he came to Mumbai with less than Rs 200 in his pocket. “I didn’t even have 200 rupees in my pocket when I started off in this industry. Today, I have a lot,” he said.

After Akshay’s name was announced in the Forbes list, the actor said that he had worked really hard for every penny. Talking to Hindustan Times, he said, “Surely, it feels good. But I just go through the headline and not the detailed copy [of such articles]. On a serious note, money does matter to me but only in a limited way. And I know it’s my hard-earned money. I work extremely hard for each and every penny. Money doesn’t come easily to you. I have put my sweat and blood for that. So, yes, it does matter to me.”

Apart from Mission Mangal, Akshay will be seen in four big films, these include Housefull 4, Good News, Sooryavanshi and Laxmmi Bomb.

In a statement shared on Twitter, he wrote, “For several years, Hollywood made movies and TV shows like Star Trek, Star Wars, Gravity etc. This inspired an entire generation of inventors, scientists and explorers. I have always wanted to be part of one such movie… A movie that inspires our future generations… One that celebrates imagination and curiosity.”

“Mission Mangal is that film for me… A film that I hope, will inspire as much as it will entertain. Based on the incredible true story of India’s mission to Mars, Mission Mangal is a film about ordinary people achieving the extraordinary… A story that proves that creativity, ideas and dreams have no limit… just like the sky! This Independence Day, the sky is not the limit,” he added.