“ Am a grounded actor who is from Delhi-Chandni Chowk who loves to sleep on a floor-mattress,” insists mega-star Akshay Kumar at  ‘Selfiee’ terrific trailer launch.--- by Chaitanya  Padukone

Undaunted  by his rather unfavorable box-office phase during 2022, mega-star Akshay Kumar is all set to bounce back with a bang with his latest action-drama thriller Hindi movie titled ‘Selfiee’. The movie ‘ Selfiee which releases on February 24,   has Akshay co-starring with Emran Hashmi for the first time . ‘Selfie is the official remake of the Malayalam hit movie ‘Driving Licence ( 2019).   As was evident, in the amazing trailer of ‘Selfiee’ which was launched on Sunday, the macho Akshay ( he plays a super-star who is passionate about car-driving ) is pitted against Emran Hashmi, who is his crazy fan and is a  local RTO Officer in charge of issuing driving licences . There are dramatic confrontation volatile scenes and clap-worthy dialogues between the two of them . Things take an ugly turn and it ends up becoming a bitter verbal fight between a superstar and a super fan. The movie ‘Selfiee’ is directed by Raj Mehta  (of ‘Good Newwz’ comedy movie )  and is co-produced by showman Karan Johar.

During the trailer launch event at  Cinepolis, Mumbai,  the entire star-cast comprising Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi,  Diana Penty and Nushrratt Bharuccha  were present. Also present was Malayalam mega-star Prithiraj Sukumaran who played the lead role in the original Malayalam movie titled ‘Driving Licence and is the co-producer of ‘Selfiee’   The candid Akshay spoke about general misconceptions about superstars. Talking about himself, he said that he is still the same person  from Delhi—Chandni Chowk  who leads a normal life.  Akshay shared, "It's been 32 years for me in the film-industry, and I am still the same boy from Delhi. I still eat daal chawal roti, raatko jaldi so jaata hun subah jaldi uth jata hun. Even today I sleep on a mattress on the floor. Stars are very human and are not above anyone, and I don't even think like a star. We, stars, are as human as the rest of the country and our fans. The film ‘Selfiee’ is dedicated to all the fans of all the celebrities in the world. We are alive because of our fans-- nahi toh humaari koi aukaat nahi hai.”" said Akshay Kumar

Clarifying wrong impressions (galat faimi) Akshay said that he was totally in favour of acting in multi-starrers. After Selfiee, Akshay will be seen doing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan with Tiger Shroff. Sharing his views on doing two-hero films, the ‘Sooryavanshi’ actor said, "It is the right way forward. We should be doing 2-3 heroes films more frequently.  Emraan did it, now I am doing it with Prithviraj and Tiger. So more the merrier. People want to see stars coming together. I come from that era  when I used to watch Manmohan Desai's multi-starrer hit films ( ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’) Karan's dad ( Yash Johar) has also made so many such films. So I think two hero films and multi-starrers should definitely come back."

Emraan has collaborated with Akshay for the first time. Despite working for several years in the industry, the duo never worked together in the past. Emraan recalled how Akshay called him when his son Ayaan was diagnosed with cancer.

Despite being for several years in the industry, the two lead actors  never worked together in the past. Emraan recalled how Akshay called him when his son Ayaan was diagnosed with cancer. The actor said that Akshay stood by him during his tough times. Emraan revealed, "I have always adored Akshay. He has been around for me when there was this issue around my son. He was the first one to call me and stand by me. I didn't know him very well then. Ache waqt mein sab saath aate hai, but bure waqt mein jo saath aaye woh farishte hote hai and that is Akshay." Prithviraj Sukumaran reveals why he couldn't do Karan Johar's Bombay Talkies

Recently, PM Narendra Modi urged BJP workers to not make 'unnecessary comments' about films. His statement came amid the recent protests and boycott trend against Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan. During the trailer launch event, Akshay reacted to PM Modi's message. He said, "Positivity is always welcome and if our Prime Minister is saying something like this, I think he is India's biggest influencer. And if he is saying something, things should change for the film-industry. And why not. We all go through so much when we make movies and then they are cleared and certified by the Censor Board (CBFC). Even then some people say something unfavorable leading to problems. Which are totally avoidable,” says Akshay.     

A large group of  excited loyal Akshay Kumar ardent male and female young fans who were invited,  also attended the trailer-launch media event . Among the die-hard Akshay fans was post-graduate management student Dharmit Shah who had come out-of-his way from Mulund.  When asked to comment, Dharmit said, Akshay- Sir is a motivation for me as i also knew he is a martial arts champion  i also started learning karate. When as he came to shoot on location for his movie Holiday  I bunked my academic classes just to meet him. All of us love him for his acting talent, discipline and personality . We wish him all the best for his ‘Selfiee’ blockbuster movie and would love to meet him more often,” said Dharmit Shah.