ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 6 Must Watch Films of Akshay Kumar Inspired by True Stories
Akshay Kumar is an actor of great calibre, capable of performing dynamic and captivating roles.
He has explored various genres and characters in a film career spanning over three decades.
While some of his films are born from the bubbling minds of fiction, others are based on real-life events.
In October 2023, Akshay revealed that he loves making films carved from real incidents.
He said: “This is cinema about things which I would like to bring in front of society.
“I know that these films haven’t got a large commercial value.
“But the value is about knowledge and realisation.
“Everything is not about what money can give me. It’s also about what I can give to society.”
In appreciation of these mature thoughts, DESIblitz proudly presents a list of six Akshay Kumar films that are inspired by true stories.
Special 26 (2013)
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee, Kajal Aggarwal, Jimmy Shergill, Anupam Kher
This heist thriller draws inspiration from the 1987 Opera House heist.
Special 26 narrates the tale of two criminals who pose as CBI officers and conduct raids.
They steal black money from politicians and businessmen.
Akshay portrays Ajay ‘Ajju’ Singh/CBI Officer AK Vardhan.
The film also implements humour as some of the raids are pulled off comedically.
Anupama Chopra highlights the film as the best film of the year, saying:
“Special 26 is the best Hindi film I’ve seen this year.
“Inspired by a real-life heist in 1987, writer-director Neeraj Pandey constructs an elaborate cat-and-mouse chase between cops and robbers.
“Except, here, you’re rooting for the bad guys.”
Fast, sharp, and original, Special 26 is a must-watch for all Akshay Kumar fans.
Baby (2015)
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu
Continuing with the actor-director duo of Akshay Kumar and Neeraj Pandey, we come to the spy thriller Baby.
In the film, Akshay plays Ajay Singh Rajput/Rafiq Khan/Rahul Awasthi.
The wake of the 26/11 attacks in India inspires Baby. Akshay delivers a riveting and dramatic performance.
During the climax, when Ajay and his agents celebrate their victory, one cannot help but cheer with them.
Sarita A Tanwar from DNA India praises Akshay’s acting in Baby:
“The other huge highlight of Baby is a career-best performance by Akshay Kumar.”
“He stays true to the character of Ajay Singh, never once losing control, be it in his expressions, demeanour or attitude.
“Akshay’s no-nonsense portrayal will be remembered for a long time.
“Baby is a must-watch to witness and enjoy the incredible combination of Neeraj Pandey and Akshay Kumar.
“Easily, one of the best films of the year.”
Airlift (2016)
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Raja Krishna Menon
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur
Raja Krishna Menon’s Airlift sees Akshay inhabit the world of Ranjit Katyal – a businessman working in Kuwait.
The character is inspired by the businessman Mathunny Mathews, who is also known as Toyota Sunny.
Mathews is credited with overseeing the safe airlift evacuation of 170,000 Indians from Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
In Airlift, Ranjit enjoys a blissful married life with his wife Amrita Katyal (Nimrat Kaur).
His attitude towards Indians changes when he discovers that approximately 170,000 Indian refugees are stranded in Kuwait.
He takes it upon himself to help them out of their plight.
Noting the film, Bollywood Hungama enthuses:
“On the whole, Airlift is a classic film based on a real-life incident that is told extremely well on screen.
“It is surely one of the best films to come out this year.”
Rustom (2016)
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Tinu Suresh Desai
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta, Arjan Bajwa
In this racy crime film, the 1959 court case of KM Nanavati vs The State of Maharashtra is brought to life.
Akshay plays the ex-commander Rustom ‘Rusi’ Pavri. The character is based on Nanavati.
Rustom has a happy marriage to Cynthia Pavri (Ileana D’Cruz).
However, he discovers her affair with Vikram Makhija (Arjan Bajwa).
Later, Rustom finds himself accused of Vikram’s murder.
Rustom intertwines blackmail, marital upheaval, and courtroom drama to create one of the most intriguing films in Bollywood.
Ileana delves into her excitement while working with Akshay:
“Working in Rustom with a big star like Akshay is a dream come true for me.
“Moreover, I had never shied away from doing complex roles.”
For Rustom, Akshay won the National Film Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 2017.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017)
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Shree Narayan Singh
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is a charming comedy-drama that raises awareness of a real-life issue.
It tackles the problem of open defecation in India.
Akshay plays Keshav Sharma, who falls in love with the educated Jaya Joshi (Bhumi Pednekar).
However, Keshav’s father Vimalnath Sharma (Sudhir Pandey), insists that his son only marry a woman with pre-axial polydactyly.
Through a series of ploys, the couple marry but Jaya files for divorce as Keshav’s house does not have a toilet.
The case garners media attention due to the unusual reason.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is a vivid realisation of one of Indian society’s real issues.
Furthermore, the lilting romantic song ‘Hans Mat Pagli‘ adds colour and brightness to this film.
If one wishes to see a true narration through a fictional lens, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is an essential watch.
Sarfira
[This post contains video, click to play]
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Stars: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Radhika Man, Seema Biswas, Suriya
This upcoming movie will see Akshay Kumar play a common man who challenges a capital-intensive sector.
In Sarfira, the character’s goal is to enable ordinary people to have suitable access to flying.
The film is inspired by the life of Captain GR Gopinath, who is the founder of Air Deccan.
In turn, the movie is a remake of Soorarai Pottru (2021).
Sharing details about the soundtrack, producer Vikram Malhotra divulges:
“With Sarfira, we have aimed to craft a musical marvel that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact on the viewers’ hearts.
“The soundtrack is diverse and will connect with fans across segments.
“With Sarfira, we aim to deliver yet another entertaining and important film and one with a soundtrack that is suited to capture the mood and emotion of our film.
“Partnering with Junglee Music will ensure that the music of Sarfira reaches its rightful audience all over.”
Scheduled to release on July 12, 2024, Sarfira promises to be an exhilarating film.
Akshay Kumar leads the game when it comes to films that are based on true events.
However, there is a danger that such films can appear like a documentary or a lecture.
How Akshay portrays his characters in these films and the clever scripts stop them from falling into this trap.
So, are you looking to be entertained as well as enlightened?
These Akshay Kumar films will fulfil your desires.
The post 6 Must Watch Films of Akshay Kumar Inspired by True Stories appeared first on DESIblitz.