Bollywood star Akshay Kumar winged it to Vancouver for a brief visit this past weekend in a private jet from Los Angeles, where rumor has it he is filming with Sylvester Stallone, and then flew by helicopter from Vancouver International Airport to the PNE grounds, where he performed on a stage to the title song of his latest movie “Singh is Kinng” in front of hundreds of Indo-Canadian fans.
Akshay was here to promote his latest film, ‘Singh is Kinng.’ He also held a press conference in Richmond where he looked very relaxed and natural with no make-up or costume; just a young good looking South Asian man. No entourage, except a couple of family friends and bodyguards. He was courteous to the media, happily speaking in the languages requested.
Akshay shared memories about his childhood, about how he grew up watching movies with his dad every Sunday. It was a family tradition to go to the movies every Sunday and to be able to afford that, the family would gladly give up their breakfast meal. Such humble beginnings were apparent in his attitude when all in the room were clamoring for a photograph with him.
He said ‘Singh is Kinng’ is a commercial movie and not a statement of any kind. He got the idea for the movie when he saw ‘Singh is King’ written on the back of a truck that he was driving behind. As he attempted to overtake the truck, the driver made way for him. As he passed the truck driver, he saw a burly turbaned Sikh man with a big smile and positive words waving him on. The positive attitude and strong spirit of Sikhs reminded him of his childhood growing up in Amritsar. Akshay talked about making more of the kind of movies he saw with his father, the family type movies where the action is not gory but fun. He also shared how his father wanted him to play a role as an ‘Amritsar da munda.’ The movie is a tribute to his dad.
Akshay replied to questions from the media about the perceived negative tone to the movie.
“We screened the movie for the Sikh community and made corrections as well as deleted and added scenes to make it authentic,” said Akshay. He noted that all the required permission and certification were obtained.
He said: “In the movie there is a scene where my character asks for forgiveness in how the turban is tied. The Sikh community loved the message of asking for forgiveness in there.”
‘Singh is Kinng’ is the first Bollywood movie made in collaboration with Hollywood and the response has been amazing says Akshay. The movie has been written about in The New York Times and Variety Magazine, to a name a few of the big name media in the U.S. Akshay said he was pleasantly surprised at the enormous positive feedback he has received about the movie.
Of working with Snoop Dogg, Akshay said, “Truthfully, (pause) I was nervous of working with a legend. When Snoop saw me in my costume, Sherwani and the turban, he looked at his own attire, and said “I want to look like my brother, Akshay”. We, of course, went and got a Sherwani for Snoop as well as a turban. That one was the ready made wedding kind.” Snoop Dogg came to work on the movie through RDB, a Toronto based music band.
Akshay said ‘Singh is Kinng’ is a positive movie that reminds the audience that it is good to have a positive attitude, especially in the times we live in now, when there is war and strife in many countries all over the world.
He said: “It doesn’t matter who you are, what race you are, what religion you are, you have good positive attitude towards everyone you encounter, then you are king.”
On fitness, which is a passion of his, Akshay had some blunt words to offer: “In my opinion, if a person can’t give his or her body an hour a day, they may as well kill themselves.” The result of his regular workout could be clearly seen on him, as after a long day he was still alert and energetic, and he still had a flight back to LA and an early pre-dawn shooting schedule to keep.
‘Singh is Kinng’ is this year’s most anticipated romantic action-comedy which revolves around a gang of criminals who are transformed by a good man and his selfless love for a pretty girl.
The movie opened on Friday at a cinema near you; all should go check it out.
Nav Bhatia of Nav Bhatia Entertainment flew in specially from Toronto and took the initiative to coordinate the event in Vancouver
The film is marketed and advertised Canada-wide by PBDH2 Corporation and The Films Preview, Toronto.
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