Tabu reveals two rules Akshay Kumar swears by, haven’t changed in 25 years: ‘He wakes up at 4 am, doesn’t go to parties’

Tabu and Akshay Kumar first shared the screen as romantic leads in the 1996 film Tu Chor Main Sipahi. Despite the film's success, the duo was never paired opposite each other till now.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | November 17, 2025 06:33 PM IST

4 min read

Tabu on working with Akshay Kumar. (Photo: IMDb)

Akshay Kumar has long been vocal about the importance of discipline, and his reputation reflects it. Known as one of the most productive actors in the industry, he is famously the first to arrive on set and the first to leave—not to attend parties, but to ensure he’s in bed on time. And according to Tabu, that routine of his hasn’t changed in nearly three decades.

Tabu and Akshay Kumar to work together after 25 years

Tabu and Akshay Kumar first shared the screen as romantic leads in the 1996 film Tu Chor Main Sipahi. Despite the film’s success, the duo was never paired together again. Although they later appeared in the 2000 classic Hera Pheri, she did not play his love interest. Now, 25 years later, filmmaker Priyadarshan has reunited them for his upcoming horror film Bhoot Bangla.

Reflecting on working with Akshay after so many years, Tabu said, “His humour and energy are the same.”

She went on to praise his unwavering discipline: “He still wakes up at 4 am, finishes early, and heads home, which is a very good thing for the rest of us. He always says, ‘jaldi sona chahiye,’ and reminds everyone that he doesn’t go to parties. That part of him hasn’t changed at all. Of course, we have all grown up now, but the essence of who he is—that’s still the same.”

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Akshay opened up on waking up at 4 am, 8-hour shifts

Akshay had earlier spoken to Galatta about how his disciplined approach to work goes and why he swears by 8 hours shifts, “I work eight hours a day. I personally feel that you are in front of a camera, and it captures each and every pore, each and every emotion. After 8 hours, the body gets tired. There are 24 hours. You need eight hours of sleep. I lead a very disciplined life. Your body requires eight hours of sleep. You need two hours to eat. You need two hours of workout. You need a few hours to spend with your family. So how much is actually left? Once I’m on set, I just want to be there till the director says pack up, unless I want to go to the washroom.”.

Talking about his day, he said, “My day starts at 4am-4.30am. I sleep early by 9pm-9.30pm. Those two hours in the morning is the only free time I get with myself because that time my wife and children are sleeping. Every man needs 2-3 hours. I would tell all of you to have 2-3 hours where you are alone with yourself. That is the best time when nobody is bothering you. You don’t have to exercise at that time. You can just sit down, think, just gaze. Phone to bilkul nahi, Instagram nahi (No phone, No Instagram). Then I start my workout for 1-1.30 hours.”

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Tabu on Priyadarshan

Tabu also spoke about reuniting with Priyadarshan after Hera Pheri. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I hadn’t worked with Akshay after Hera Pheri, and we hadn’t even met socially very often over the years. I had stayed in touch with Priyan, so I knew he would be exactly the same person.”

She added that Priyan remains an impatient, one-take director who is vocal about every emotion he feels.

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