Mumbai: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who started his career as an action star and earned the nickname ‘Khiladi,’ says he wants to return to real, raw action films, rejecting the growing use of VFX and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for stunts.
In a recent interview, the 58-year-old actor said he prefers doing his own stunts instead of depending on computer-generated effects.
“There is a huge difference in the way action films are being made today. Earlier, the action would be real; now, everything is done in VFX. It’s not fun as it feels fake. I want to make a film, which is real,” Akshay was quoted as saying by PTI.
The actor, who is well trained in martial arts including Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and Kudo, said: “If I’m jumping, then I’m jumping for real and not using VFX, or if I’m kicking, then I’m kicking for real, not like 15 people helping me kick people. I want to make an action film without the use of
VFX. I’m saying this in the era of AI, and people may think what they wish to, but I want to do an action film that is a real action film. The audience can feel how much effort is being put in, unlike the efforts taken with the help of AI or computer.”
Akshay said he wants to return to real, physically performed stunts that feel more genuine and exciting for audiences.
Comparing action films to a painting, the actor said there is a big difference between a handmade painting and a digital print. While a printed version may look perfect, a handmade one has small imperfections that make it feel real, he elaborated.
He added that the final choice depends on what the audience prefers, but he wants his films to feel like a “real painting” through actual stunts.
Over the past decade, Akshay’s career has shifted from action to a mix of comedy and patriotic films.
Some of his memorable films include ‘Housefull’ series, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Good Newwz’, ‘Airlift’, ‘Baby’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Kesari’, ‘Mission Mangal’ and ‘Sky Force’.
Akshay recently joined the fifth instalment of Rohit Shetty’s popular ‘Golmaal’ franchise, which will also feature Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kemmu and Shreyas Talpade.
Akshay is also awaiting the release of horror-comedy ‘Bhooth Bangla’, on April 10.