Akshay Kumar - "As long as directors allow me to run free with my perception, I am the happiest actor on any set"

Gold is set for release and Akshay Kumar is busy promoting the film quite extensively across the country. A film that he is quite proud of, it is also seeing an apt release, what with 15th August as the chosen date. With the film carrying just the right kind of ingredients that make for a meaningful commercial potboiler, Gold is touted to be a landmark moment of Akshay Kumar's eventful career. We get into an exclusive chat with the actor who plays the role of Tapan Das in this real tale that is set in the 40s and unveils a golden chapter in the history of Indian sports, especially after the country gained independence from the British.

Gold has just the perfect combination of sports, patriotism, drama and thrills. That must have been an exhilarating experience for you?

It definitely has an ensemble of emotions and a variety to hopefully fulfill the expectations of many cine-goers. I have given them heavy content for a while, so now I feel it’s time to show them how BIG I still like to go. Hence Gold is being released in IMAX theatres across India as well as internationally. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see it on the biggest screens we have (smiles). We just launched our trailer at an IMAX theatre a few days back and it truly does look amazing seeing it on such a big scale. Gold is definitely full of firsts for me, be it the director Reema, the Spanish DOP, hockey on screen, periodic drama in the 40s, and now my first time showcasing in an IMAX theatre. Now bring on new Box Office records too (smiles).

As for the core plotline of the film, before the film came your way were you aware about India's quest for 'gold' back then, and the challenges that the team faced?

I am very much into sports, but more so I am very into my country. So India’s first Gold medal at the Olympics under Free India is something I knew about from childhood, especially as I used to play grassless hockey at school. But the extent of how the team fought, what they went through, saluting a flag that was not ours, honoring previous medals yet resenting them at the same time was an experience to learn. What they can’t teach you in history at school are emotions. We are taught facts, we are not blessed with the whole story. That is what I am excited about i.e. showing my people what sportsmen & women do for our country, what sports can do for our nation, the strength it can give us and the united bond it can create. This film is full of harsh realities, but ones that everyone should know and learn from.

You have done a sports film in the past, Patiala House, though that had strong dose of family element in there. How has the experience been different in case of Gold?

Well for starters, while I was a cricket player in Patiala House, in Gold I am Team India’s Hockey Manager, and a very controversial Manager at that (smiles). I drink, I swear, I gamble, but my heart is for India and my brains were made for the sport. No one can deny my passion to free India from British shackles on and off the pitch. This is another huge opposite to Patiala House, as I shyly fought for England back then and now I am fighting loud and proud for India, for my people, for my country and for my sport.

What sort of information did you gather about this man that you are enacting, Tapan Das, the one who was passionate about India and the sports of hockey, and defied all challenges to bring India gold?

Tapan Das Is the real Hero of Indian Hockey. He is a man who literally defied so many odds, so many people and so many problems. This legend was fire on the hockey field and I loved the fact that for once I was not playing the sporting hero but the guy who got the team their Gold. Coaches and managers have such an important role, no one should ever forget that.

How did you go about recreating the character of Tapan Das?

I took all my info from my director as every actor should. We are there to create their vision and only make it our own with the passion we find within to portray ‘their’ character. As much as I like to bring my own 'A' game to the sets, I will always do what the script asks of me. Then and only then when the shot is secured, will I dabble in what my soul is screaming for me to do. As long as directors allow me to run free with my perception then I am the happiest actor on any set.