Aspiring actors, pay attention! Bollywood veteran Akshay Kumar has dropped some serious wisdom about starting your career, and it all boils down to one crucial point: avoid signing multi-film deals with producers right off the bat. During a recent award ceremony, Akshay used Aryan Khan’s directorial venture, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, as a prime example of why newcomers need to be extra cautious about the contracts they ink.
When asked by host Shah Rukh Khan for advice to budding actors, Akshay didn’t hold back. “My one piece of advice to all newcomers, and those who are about to be newcomers, is to never sign a 3-film deal with any producer,” he stated emphatically. He even suggested that watching Aryan Khan’s series would provide a clear understanding of the potential pitfalls a debutant might encounter.
“You must have seen The Ba***ds of Bollywood and the journey our protagonist went through. The film really highlights what a debutant should and shouldn’t do,” Akshay elaborated. Playfully nudging co-host Karan Johar, he added, “Don’t lock them into a 3-movie deal. Give your new talent the freedom to explore, even the freedom to walk away. As the saying goes, ‘Set them free; if they are yours, they will return.'” This remark was met with shared laughter from Shah Rukh and Karan.
Akshay also offered a glimpse into his own film selection philosophy, noting, “I always believe that money attracts more money, and similarly, hard work attracts rewards. No job is too big or too small for me. Sometimes I’m drawn to a film’s story, even if my role is modest. I’ll still do it because I believe in the film’s potential and want to be part of cinematic history.”
He underscored that discipline is equally vital for a long-lasting career. “If you get that right, you’ll find yourself navigating this industry successfully for a very long time,” Akshay concluded.
About The Ba***ds of Bollywood
Aryan Khan’s directorial debut series on Netflix features a star-studded cast including Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, and Anya Singh, alongside seasoned actors Manoj Pahwa, Manish Chaudhari, and Mona Singh.
The series centers on Aasmaan Singh, a young actor from Delhi, whose promising debut leads him to a role opposite Karishma Talvar in a Karan Johar film. However, his journey becomes complicated when producer Freddy Sodawallah insists on a three-film contract, Karishma’s father, Ajay Talvar, intervenes, and a mix of budding romance and professional pressures challenge Aasmaan’s aspirations.