Action Retake

Akshay Kumar,it seems,can no longer saunter into an event. In Delhi to promote Kambakkht Ishq that released on Friday,the reigning king,especially of the grand entry,jumped off a raised steel platform and dangled on the edge of a nylon rope,to connect with an audience of 1,000 onlookers at DLF Place in Saket. “I play a Hollywood stuntman double for Sylvester Stallone and Tom Cruise in Kambakkht Ishq,” said Kumar,dressed in a black shirt and flaunting dark shades. “When I met Stallone face to face on the sets,the only thing we discussed was bones. He told me how his knee was broken and I told him about my injured back. Later that night I realised what an inane conversation we had.” Kumar was joined by his leading lady Kareena Kapoor,elegant in a BCMG Max Azria halter maxi outfit,and soon the duo got down to fending the usual pre-movie-release questions. They’ve been paired together in seven movies now,the last being the disastrous Tashan in 2007. “There is anxiety and nervousness attached to every release. We can’t always give hits,” said Kumar,a tad snappishly. With over Rs 60 crore riding on this one,let’s hope Kumar’s legendary comic timing works again.