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Akshay Kumar
| Akshay Kumar | |
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| Birth name | Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia |
| Born | 9 September 1967, Delhi, India |
| Citizenship | India (until 2011; from 2023)
Canada (2011–2023) |
| Occupation | Actor, Film producer |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | Twinkle Khanna (m. 2001) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Khanna family (by marriage) |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2009) |
Akshay Hari Om Bhatia (born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia; 9 September 1967), known professionally as Akshay Kumar, is an Indian actor and film producer who predominantly works in Hindi cinema. In a career spanning over three decades, he has appeared in more than 150 films and received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. In 2009, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.
Often referred to as "Khiladi Kumar" due to his leading roles in the Khiladi film series and his reputation for performing many of his own stunts, Kumar established himself as a prominent action star during the 1990s. He later gained recognition for his performances in comedy and drama films such as Hera Pheri (2000) and Welcome (2007). In the 2010s, he transitioned towards socially relevant and patriotic films including Airlift (2016) and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017).
Early life and background
Akshay Kumar was born in Delhi into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Hari Om Bhatia, served as an officer in the Indian Army before working with UNICEF in Bombay. Kumar spent his early years in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, before moving to Koliwada in Mumbai.
He studied at Don Bosco High School, Matunga and later attended Guru Nanak Khalsa College, which he left to pursue martial arts training in Bangkok, Thailand. There, he learned Muay Thai and worked as a chef and waiter. After returning to India, he began teaching martial arts, eventually entering modelling and later the film industry. He adopted the screen name Akshay Kumar, inspired by a character in the film Aaj (1987).
Career
1991–1999: Action breakthrough
Kumar made his acting debut with Saugandh (1991). His breakthrough came with the thriller Khiladi (1992), which led to a successful action-hero image. Throughout the 1990s, he starred in films such as Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996). His performance in Yeh Dillagi (1994) earned him his first Filmfare Best Actor nomination.
2000–2011: Comedic success
The release of Hera Pheri (2000) marked a turning point in his career, establishing him as a successful comedic actor. He won a Filmfare Award for Best Villain for Ajnabee (2001) and Best Comedian for Garam Masala (2005). In 2007, he delivered multiple box-office successes, including Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome.
2012–2021: Social and patriotic cinema
From OMG – Oh My God! (2012) onwards, Kumar increasingly focused on socially driven narratives. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Rustom (2016). Other notable films include Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), and Pad Man (2018). In 2019, he starred in commercially successful films such as Mission Mangal and Good Newwz.
2022–present
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kumar experienced a series of box-office underperformers including Samrat Prithviraj (2022) and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024), while OMG 2 (2023) achieved commercial success. In 2025, his career witnessed renewed commercial momentum with films such as Sky Force, Jolly LLB 3, and Housefull 5.
Television
Apart from films, Kumar has hosted television shows including Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and MasterChef India.
Philanthropy
Kumar has been actively involved in charitable initiatives. He supported the launch of the Bharat Ke Veer app to assist families of martyred soldiers and contributed to the PM CARES Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also supported drought relief efforts and welfare initiatives for marginalized communities.
Personal life
Akshay Kumar married actress Twinkle Khanna in 2001. The couple has two children. Known for his disciplined lifestyle, Kumar follows a strict fitness routine and maintains a teetotal lifestyle.
Between 2011 and 2023, he held Canadian citizenship before reacquiring Indian citizenship in 2023.
Awards and honours
In addition to winning two National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare Awards, Kumar received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Windsor in 2008. He has frequently been listed among the highest-paid actors globally by Forbes.
See also
List of awards and nominations received by Akshay Kumar