In the glittering yet unforgiving world of Bollywood, few stars have embodied reinvention quite like Akshay Kumar. Born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia on September 9, 1967, in the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, Kumar’s journey from a martial arts enthusiast in Bangkok to one of India’s highest-grossing actors is a testament to grit, versatility, and an unyielding work ethic. With over 150 films under his belt, two National Film Awards, and a Padma Shri to his name, Kumar has navigated the highs of blockbuster franchises and the lows of box-office slumps. As 2025 draws to a close, his career is roaring back with a string of hits, proving that the “Khiladi” – as fans fondly call him – is far from done.
Early Life: From Delhi Streets to Muay Thai Rings
Akshay Kumar’s roots trace back to a Punjabi Hindu family from Amritsar. His father, Hari Om Bhatia, served as an Indian Army officer before joining UNICEF. At the same time, his mother, Aruna Bhatia, provided a stable home after the family relocated to Mumbai’s Koliwada neighborhood. Growing up in a Punjabi-dominated enclave, young Rajiv was a bundle of energy, channeling his father’s love for wrestling into a passion for sports and martial arts.
He attended Don Bosco High School in Matunga, where he honed his karate skills, and briefly enrolled at Guru Nanak Khalsa College before dropping out, as he was uninterested in academics. At 18, Kumar’s adventurous spirit led him to Bangkok, where he spent five years training in Muay Thai and Thai boxing. To make ends meet, he juggled gigs as a chef and waiter, even dabbling in jewelry sales in Delhi and culinary work in Kolkata and Dhaka upon his return. Back in Mumbai, he taught martial arts and earned a black belt in Taekwondo. His first brush with showbiz came as a background dancer and assistant to photographer Jayesh Sheth, before a brief cameo as a karate instructor in the 1987 film Aaj. The stage name “Akshay Kumar” was borrowed from a character played by Kumar Gaurav in Love Story (1986), marking the birth of Bollywood’s action icon.
Rise to Stardom: Action Hero to Comedy King
Kumar’s acting debut in 1991’s Saugandh opposite Raakhee and Shantipriya was modest, followed by the forgettable Dancer. But 1992’s Khiladi, an Abbas-Mustan thriller, changed everything. Playing a daring cop, Kumar’s raw athleticism and stunt prowess – including self-performed high-risk sequences – catapulted him to fame. The Khiladi franchise became his signature, spawning hits like Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), International Khiladi (1999), and Khiladi 786 (2012).
The mid-1990s solidified his action-hero status with blockbusters like Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), and Elaan (1994). Romantic leads followed, earning him a Filmfare nomination for Yeh Dillagi (1994) opposite Kajol, and successes in Dhadkan (2000) and Namastey London (2007). Yet, it was comedy that unleashed Kumar’s multifaceted charm. Hera Pheri (2000), co-starring Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty, redefined him as a comic genius, birthing iconic lines like “Yeh Babu Rao ka style hai.” The sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006) and films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005) – for which he won a Filmfare for Best Comedian – and Singh Is Kinng (2008) turned him into a box-office juggernaut.
The mid-1990s solidified his action-hero status with blockbusters like Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), and Elaan (1994). Romantic leads followed, earning him a Filmfare nomination for Yeh Dillagi (1994) opposite Kajol, and successes in Dhadkan (2000) and Namastey London (2007). Yet, it was comedy that unleashed Kumar’s multifaceted charm. Hera Pheri (2000), co-starring Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty, redefined him as a comic genius, birthing iconic lines like “Yeh Babu Rao ka style hai.” The sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006) and films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005) – for which he won a Filmfare for Best Comedian – and Singh Is Kinng (2008) turned him into a box-office juggernaut.
Venturing into negative roles, Kumar shone as a villain in Ajnabee (2001), clinching another Filmfare. His 2007 streak – four consecutive hits including Heyy Babyy and Welcome – made him Bollywood’s most bankable star. Critically acclaimed turns in Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015), and patriotic dramas like Airlift (2016) and Rustom (2016) – both earning him National Film Awards for Best Actor – showcased his dramatic depth.
Personal Life: Family First, Citizenship Saga
Off-screen, Kumar is a devoted family man. He married actress and author Twinkle Khanna – daughter of legends Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia – on January 17, 2001. The couple has two children: son Aarav (born 2002), now pursuing studies abroad, and daughter Nitara (born 2012 via surrogacy). Fiercely protective, Kumar shields his family from the media spotlight, emphasizing normalcy amid stardom. Past high-profile romances with Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shetty in the 1990s ended amicably, but his bond with Twinkle remains rock-solid. Recently, during Cyber Awareness Month 2025, Kumar shared a chilling anecdote about his daughter Nitara encountering an online predator soliciting nude photos during a game, urging schools to mandate weekly cyber safety lessons.
A teetotaler who once endorsed a liquor brand, Kumar’s spiritual journey evolved from devout Shaiva Hinduism to a more inclusive “only Indian” identity by 2020. His citizenship made headlines: He held Canadian citizenship from 2011 to 2023, acquired through a special law, before proudly renouncing it on India’s Independence Day 2023 to reclaim Indian nationality.
Philanthropy: The Giving Khiladi
Kumar’s generosity rivals his on-screen heroism. A key endorser of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he built toilets in Madhya Pradesh to promote Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and launched the Bharat Ke Veer app in 2017 for direct aid to soldiers’ families. His donations are staggering: ₹25 crore to PM CARES during COVID-19, ₹1.5 crore for a transgender shelter in Chennai, and millions for flood victims, acid attack survivors, and martyred jawans’ kin. In 2024, he contributed ₹1.21 crore to the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, underscoring his interfaith ethos. Forbes repeatedly listed him among the world’s highest-paid actors (2015–2020), but Kumar channels much of that money back into society.
Awards and Accolades: A Legacy in Trophies
Kumar’s mantle boasts two Filmfare Awards (Best Villain for Ajnabee, Best Comedian for Garam Masala), 13 nominations, two National Film Awards, and the Padma Shri (2009). Global honors include an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Windsor (2008), the Asian Awards for Cinema (2011), and a sixth-degree black belt in Gojuryu Karate, with Japan’s “Katana” honor (2009). He hosted Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi (2008–2009) and set a Guinness World Record for 184 selfies in three minutes (2023). Named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2008, his influence extends to production via Grazing Goat Pictures.
2025: A Box-Office Resurgence
After a string of underperformers from 2022–2024, 2025 marked Kumar’s triumphant return. Sky Force, a patriotic action-drama on the 1965 Indo-Pak war, kicked off the year with moderate success. Kesari Chapter 2, delving into the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, followed suit. The comedy juggernaut Housefull 5 exploded with ₹100.5 crore in four days, leveraging nostalgia and an ensemble cast. Kannappa, a Telugu epic where he portrayed Lord Shiva, and Jolly LLB 3 – reprising his quirky advocate Jagdishwar Mishra alongside Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla – cemented his comeback, grossing ₹78 crore in eight days despite modest expectations. The trailer’s intense courtroom drama laced with humor promised “double the laughs,” and early reviews praised the duo’s chemistry. Beyond films, Kumar stepped in as host for a show amid Salman Khan’s Ladakh shoot and will mentor on Jio Studios’ Pitch to Get Rich in October, investing in fashion startups. At FICCI FRAMES 2025, he charmed with a lighthearted query to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis about preferring oranges over mangoes, echoing a viral 2019 moment with PM Modi. Diwali 2025 saw him celebrating in London with family at the Shri Swaminarayana Mandir, sharing festive wishes alongside stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan.
The Road Ahead: More Khiladi Adventures
With Bhooth Bangla (filming, April 2026), Hera Pheri 4, Haiwaan (reuniting with Saif Ali Khan), and epics like Vedaat Maratha Veer Daudale Saat (as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in the pipeline, Kumar’s slate brims with promise. Director Priyadarshan recently debunked rumors of Kumar sidelining John Abraham in Garam Masala, affirming his collaborative spirit. At 58, Akshay Kumar remains Bollywood’s ultimate survivor – a martial artist turned megastar, philanthropist, and family anchor. His 2025 resurgence isn’t just about numbers; it’s a reminder that true stardom lies in adaptability. As he once quipped, “Cinema is not a job; it’s a lifestyle.” For Kumar, it’s a legacy that keeps evolving, one blockbuster at a time.
