When you think of the word nepotism, the first thing that comes to mind is Bollywood. However, not every nepotistic product is dependent on their celebrity parents' careers. One such actor who made his own trajectory despite being a legendary star's son is
Akshaye Khanna. For the uninitiated, he is the son of veteran actor Vinod Khanna.
The Dabangg 2 actor has two sons, Akshaye Khanna and
Rahul Khanna. While the former is a celebrated superstar, Rahul continues to be appreciated for his supporting roles in movies like Wake Up Sid.
Akshaye started his career with the 1997 release, Himalaya Putra, where he shared the screen with Vinod Khanna. However, ever since the movie, the Drishyam 2 actor has never worked with his father. The reason will shock you.
Akshaye Khanna on not wanting to work with his father Vinod Khanna
In an old interview back in 2008, the Taal actor opened up about why he would never want to work with his father. He also mentioned that Vinod is one such actor who is impossible to share the frame with. He also added Amitabh Bachchan to the list.
In a chat with IANS, Akshaye said these legendary actors have an overpowering screen presence that makes him believe he should not be seen in movies with them.
Also Read: Border To Dil Chahta Hai, 5 Movies Of Akshaye Khanna That Prove Versatility Of The ActorIn the same interview, he also mentioned it was terrifying working with his father, Vinod Khanna, in his debut film, Himalaya Putra. The interview comes a decade after his first film.
"There are certain people with whom you shouldn't work. My dad is one of them.
Amitabh Bachchan is another. To stand in the same frame as them confidently is impossible. They've such an overpowering screen presence," Khanna said.
He further added, "It's very difficult to match my father on screen. It's that quality - either you have it or you don't have it. Very frankly, I don't have it. I just don't have that kind of presence. There're some actors who just wash you away on screen. My dad is one of them."
Akshaye Khanna on essaying Vinod Khanna's role in his biopic
In a separate interview in 2017 with the same news agency, the actor was asked if he'd like to essay the role of his father in the late veteran actor's biopic. He denied it and said he looks nowhere similar to Vinod.
"I don't look anywhere close to my father... Not an option. I haven't ever thought about it (making a biopic on
Vinod Khanna), so I can't say. But I think biopics, by nature, are, I suppose, as accurate as they can be, the better for an actor," Akshaye Khanna said.
He concluded the chat by saying,"It's very challenging as well as risky for an actor to portray a real-life character because you are portraying someone who actually existed. So, it becomes really difficult."
On the work front
Vinod Khanna ruled the Hindi film industry in the 1970s with some iconic movies like The Burning Train, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Qurbani, among others.
Akshaye Khanna continues to be one of those underrated Bollywood actors who has delivered some blockbuster movies ever since he started his career. Films like Taal, Dil Chahta Hai,
Drishyam 2, Hulchul, Hungama, Race, and Border, among others, are proof of his versatility.
Radio City wishes Akshaye a very happy birthday.
