The Dark Days Before Superstardom
Today, Akshay Kumar stands as one of Bollywood's most reliable stars, but his journey to the top was marked by significant obstacles and industry rejection. Filmmaker Suneel Darshan has recently opened up about the challenging period in the late 1990s when Akshay faced a major career crisis with consecutive box office failures and producers turning their backs on him.
The Painful Insult That Broke Akshay
In an emotional revelation, Darshan shared a particularly distressing incident when Akshay Kumar broke down in tears at his office. The actor had just been mistreated by a producer who spoke to him rudely and said heartbreaking things. This occurred just before a film's release when not a single poster had been put up despite the scheduled Friday premiere.
Darshan recalled how during the making of Jaanwar, Akshay had grown very close to him while facing widespread rejection and ridicule. Big filmmakers of that era considered Akshay 'kachra' or rubbish and didn't respect him as an actor. This was a period when several projects including Dhadkan were put on hold and Hera Pheri had been shelved, creating a perfect storm of career uncertainty.
Jaanwar's Turning Point and Northern Triumph
Recognizing Akshay's vulnerable state, Darshan took immediate action to boost the actor's morale. He instructed their designer Rahul Nanda to book the most expensive advertising site at Juhu Circle and display Jaanwar's hoarding featuring only Akshay Kumar. This strategic move was designed to restore the actor's confidence before their film's release.
While Jaanwar initially received a lukewarm response in Mumbai, it achieved phenomenal success in Northern India. The film became an all-time hit in Bihar and performed exceptionally well in Uttar Pradesh, ultimately providing Akshay Kumar with the massive comeback he desperately needed.
From being labeled as rubbish by industry insiders to becoming one of Indian cinema's top stars, Akshay Kumar's journey serves as an inspiring tale of resilience. Today, he boasts numerous blockbusters and has an exciting lineup of upcoming projects including three Priyadarshan films, Hera Pheri 3, Bhoot Bangla, Haiwaan, and Welcome to the Jungle.
