Akshay comedy hour nearly over

Mumbai, Feb 10 (IANS) Akshay Kumar does have a sense of humour. And you don't need to watch him in "Garam Masala" to know that.

At the Screen awards he went on stage to receive the award for best editor... a dig at all those co-stars who have accused Akshay of tampering with their roles.

"It wasn't meant to be a dig at anyone except myself. The joke was on me, and everyone finally caught on. It is very important to finally see the lighter side of this profession. Stardom, success, celebrity status... these are all illusions. We shouldn't get carried away by them," Akshay told IANS.

But he has had enough of laughs for now. "It's time to get serious," Akshay mock-admits.

He is shooting for another comedy, Neeraj Vora's "Phir Hera Pheri", a sequel to Priyadarshan's "Hera Pheri". "I have worked with Neeraj Vora before. I know what he is capable of. I have confidence in all human beings. All you need to do is touch the right nerves."

Akshay's last comic romp "Deewane Huye Paagal" was a bit of damper.

"I'd have preferred to space out the comedies. I feel 'Deewane...' came much too soon after 'Garam Masala'. It was too much of the comic mood.

"But Raj Kanwar's 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye', which releases in April, moves away from comedy. It is a cool romantic film. I like working with Raj Kanwar. I think audiences will like what we have done this time after 'Andaaz'."

If there's anything that Akshay likes doing more than acting, it is playing daddy to his son.

On Republic Day the actor took the entire day off to be with his son Aarav. In the evening Aarav and a large group of his little neighbours went to see "The Chronicles Of Narnia" with the star-dad. It was hard to make out who was having more fun: Aarav and his little friends or Akshay.

"Actually I am a bigger child than my own son. And I have more fun going out with him and his friends than they do," says the star.

Aarav seems to have inherited his father's generous nature. The little scene-stealer has a heart of gold. When he sees a beggar boy at the traffic signal he promptly offers to share his school tiffin with the less privileged soul.

Akshay's latest film "Family" hasn't done as well as his other films in 2005.

"But I've no regrets. I did 'Family' for Keshu Ramsay who's an old and trusted friend. We have done many films together. When he decided to launch his son it was my duty and pleasure to support him."

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Garam Masala