Akshaye whips up a Hungama!

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Two years ago, the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Himalayputra </span>was rediscovered by Bollywood. While <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Dil Chahta Hai </span>led to a shower of bouquets, he strengthened his position with <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Humraaz </span>and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Deewangee</span>.Akshaye Khanna was back. And now, he’s all set to create a <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hungama </span>— the ‘‘funniest film’’ in his celluloid career.<br /><br />‘‘<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hungama </span>will showcase another dimension of my acting abilities,’’ says Akshaye. Comedy is serious business. And Khanna Jr knows this. ‘‘<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hungama </span>is not slapstick comedy. Priyadarshan created situations and we performed according to the script. I had great support from co-actors Paresh Rawal and Aftab Shivdasani, and this made things easier.’’<br /><br />Never formally trained to be an actor, Akshaye grew up on celluloid dreams. ‘‘Very early in life, I decided that Bollywood was my calling. But what I know of acting is what I have learnt on the job.’’<br /><br />And so far, the man has done a good job. Specially in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">LoC</span>, he points out. ‘‘I read books on the Kargil war, I met Army officers... it was quite a learning experience.<br /><br />Shooting for the film in rough terrain and high altitude was very difficult — I really admire those who do it day in and day out, to serve the country.’’<br /><br />As he adjusts the baseball cap on his head, the boyish grin transforms into a philosophical expression.<br /><br />‘‘It hurts when a film flops — time, energy and emotions go down the drain. But if a film is a hit, it means that I get the kind of roles I want to do.’’<br /><br />What about his image of an introverted, moody person? ‘‘That image is just a gross fallacy. I’m not this intense, moody, brooding individual who likes to keep people away from him. I love people.<br /><br />It’s something that has been propagated over the years, but it’s just not me.<br /><br />I’m definitely not what everybody makes me out to be.’’<br /><br />And what he wants to do is strike a balance between the self and cinema. ‘‘My way of finding peace is to look within.’’ Akshaye Khanna is in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Taal </span>with life.</div> </div>