Watching Akshaye Khanna do a photo shoot is like watching a mini-movie by itself. A million expressions flit across his face as he faces the camera. One moment, he is staring intensely at it, the next, he breaks out into an achingly cute smile.
Words: Deepali Singh
The talented actor, whose latest film Section 375 is making all the right noises for its content, has often been described as reclusive and aloof. But Akshaye Khanna knows how to turn on the charm and when we tell him, that he is, in fact, pretty chilled out, he responds with a laugh. “Most people who interact with me tell me that I’m so different from how I am portrayed, and portrayed over such a long period of time. That’s unfortunate I guess but I have to live with it,” he says. The actor is behind the wheels of his BMW and over a drive from Andheri to Juhu, he talks to us about his movie choices, his love for sarcasm, and future plans that involve turning producer and making his debut on social media platforms… (TMM)
Have your criteria for choosing scripts changed over the years?
Akshaye Khanna: I guess it probably has. When you are newer, you are willing to trust a lot because you don’t have an option. You’re less trusting of others as you get more experienced. Then you are more trusting of your own instincts than the person sitting in front of you. So, these factors would have influenced the way I’m making my choices. Also, the kind of films that are offered to you at different stages of your career is also different. For example, no producer would have offered me Section 375, say when I was 25 years old because the age doesn’t suit the role. Also, there is a certain level of maturity required to play a certain role. So that equation also changes.
Why do you think Section 375 is a story that should be told?
Primarily, it’s a highly entertaining subject, which is always the number one criterion. If a particular law is being misused by people and in many instances, they are getting away with it, it’s a subject that would interest me. Therefore, I would imagine it would interest others as well.
Over the years, you have played a really interesting antagonists. Do you enjoy the grey areas?
If they are well written and if the antagonist is the person the audience would be rooting for when they want them to get away with the crime. When one sits back and thinks about the film and if it’s the antagonist’s performance that you remember, then it’s fun to play someone who is not a morally nice person. Everyone is trying to be nice or pretending to be. So, it’s interesting to play the opposite of that and feel comfortable playing it.
There is always a touch of sarcasm or humor in the characters you portray on screen.
Akshaye Khanna: I think sarcasm is underrated (smiles). I find it so attractive and if it’s used properly, so funny! I always try, in whatever capacity I can and if the writing is supporting me, to bring in sarcasm and humor, especially when you are not doing a role that’s comedic.
Is there a reason you have always kept your private life so well guarded?
It works for me. Most of my well-wishers would be right in saying that it’s not in my career’s best interest. But I have done and continued to do a lot of things that have probably harmed me more than benefitted me but I have never had the urge to change them. Having said that, tomorrow is a new day. Anything can happen.
Is that why you have kept away from social media for so long?
Actually, that’s something I’m very seriously considering. First of all, it’s a very good form of communication to whoever is listening because you’re fully in control of it. If you goof up, you have only yourself to blame and I like that. Secondly, I think it’s time I opened up a bit. I need to just be a little more open, more casual. I might want to say something on Twitter. There are so many times I read the papers or hear something and I want to react to it and I don’t have a platform to do that. I would like to share a picture on Instagram. I might do that soon, let’s see.
What’s a typical day like when you’re not shooting?
It would involve a lot of sleep! (laughs) I have been blessed with being able to sleep really well for really long hours and a lot of my friends are jealous of me because of that. I spend a good two-three hour reading as well.
Would you like to produce or direct in the future?
I would not like to direct, as it’s too much responsibility. I’d be good at some of the aspects of it but the direction is a very holistic art form. Production is something that interests me because it gives you a little more control than you have as an actor. It’s something I would love to explore in the future, sooner rather than later.
GETTING TO KNOW AK
Akshaye Khanna style statement: I’m not a very stylish person. I haven’t shopped for a single piece of clothing in the last 15-16 years! I love my old clothes, old jeans, old socks.
A role/genre you are keen to explore: Espionage.
A web show you are watching currently: The Loudest Voice on Hotstar.
Do you cook? No, but I like eating and I like watching other people cook.
Taste in music: Very eclectic. I would listen to a Joni Mitchell, a Zakir Hussain, or rock, depending on my mood.
Fiction or non-fiction? I like both. Sacred Games is one of my all-time favorite novels.
Your 3 am friend? All my friends!
What would be the title of your autobiography, if you ever wrote one? Warning: It’s boring! (laughs)
A MOTTO I LIVE BY
Over the years, morality has taught us that being selfish is a very negative thing. In my mind, it’s exactly the opposite of that. I feel one should be selfish because one has only one life to live. This train of thought comes from watching my parents. My dad had decided to quit his career, his family, everything he had worked for, for his guru, because he wanted to take sannyasa and that’s where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Most people would look at it as a very selfish thing to do. But over the years, I have come to really respect those decisions. I don’t hold it against him which I did for a very long time. I feel that it takes a lot of courage to take decisions where the whole world is standing against you but you feel it’s a correct decision for you for your journey as a human being. You must make those decisions.
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