Akshay Kumar (born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia; 9 September 1967), is an Indian origin actor, producer, martial artist, stuntman and television personality, who works in Bollywood films, and currently holds Canadian citizenship. In a career spanning more than twenty five years, Kumar has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films and has won several awards including the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Rustom and two Filmfare Awards.
Box Office India has listed Kumar as one of the most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. He became the first Bollywood actor whose movies have crossed respectively the Rs 2000 crore (₹20 billion (US$310 million ) in 2013 and the Rs 3000 crore (₹30 billion (US$460 million )) in 2016 in their domestic net lifetime collection. Having done so, he has established himself as one of the prominent actors of the Hindi cinema.
When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was known for his appearances in films of the Khiladi series as well as other action films such as Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Sapoot (1996) and Angaaray ( 1998 ). Later, Kumar also gained fame for his drama, romantic and comic roles. He earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of a hysterical professor in Sangharsh (1999) and a criminal in Jaanwar (1999). His performances in romantic films like Dhadkan ( 2000 ), Andaaz (2003) and Namastey London (2007); drama films like Waqt (2005) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007); comedy films like Hera Pheri ( 2000 ), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi ( 2004 ), Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006) and Singh Is Kinng (2008) were all well received. In 2007, he starred in four consecutive commercially successful films.
