Akshay Kumar Family Tree
Akshay Kumar - A Lifestory

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's path to stardom is one of hard work and determination. Early in his career, he worked as a waiter and chef in Bangkok while developing his martial arts skills. Despite the hardships, Kumar’s resilience has shaped his outlook on life and his career. Akshay Kumar is known for his love of action sequences and the name ‘Khiladi’ was given to him and for that reason, he is referred to as ‘Khiladi Kumar’. He often does his stunts without body doubles, which shows his commitment to his profession. Kumar’s smooth transition into comedy has made him a versatile actor, and his versatility has earned him immense appreciation. With over 120 films under his belt, he is a global phenomenon winning praise from film directors, audiences, and critics alike. Kumar is well-known for his rigorous fitness regime and his playful nature on the sets. He continues to be one of India’s leading stars, renowned for his commitment, versatility, and philanthropic endeavors.
Birth
Akshay Kumar, originally named Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, was born on September 9, 1967, in Amritsar, Punjab. His father, Hari Om Bhatia, served as an army officer, while his mother, Aruna Bhatia was a homemaker.
Family Facts
- Parents:
Hari Om Bhatia (Father)
Aruna Bhatia (Mother) - Siblings:
Alka Bhatia - Spouse:
Twinkle Khanna - Children:
Aarav Kumar
Nitara Kumar - Relatives:
Rajesh Khanna (Father-in-law)
Dimple Kapadia (Mother-in-law)
Rinke Khanna (Sister-in-law)
Education
He attended Don Bosco School and Guru Nanak Khalsa College.
He pursued martial arts training from a young age, traveling to Bangkok at the age of 9 to learn Karate, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai. While working as a chef and waiter to sustain himself, his dedication paid off, culminating in a black belt in Taekwondo, showcasing his perseverance in martial arts mastery.
From Martial Arts to Modeling
Returning to Mumbai, he initially taught martial arts but transitioned to modeling after a student's father's recommendation, achieving rapid success despite initial challenges. He persevered through unpaid work, building his portfolio, and also appeared as a background dancer in films.
Debut in Bollywood
Debuted in "Aaj" under his birth name, he later adopted the name Akshay Kumar, inspired by a character in a film.
He then made his lead actor debut in "Saugandh" alongside Raakhee and Shantipriya, followed by an appearance in "Dancer" the same year, which received mixed reviews.
The Rise to Stardom
The suspense thriller "Khiladi" marked the inception of Kumar's prosperous bollywood career.
Following this success, he appeared in "Mr. Bond," a detective film, and "Deedar," although the latter underperformed at the box office.
Film Journey in the mid-1990s
In 1994, made a comeback with 11 films, gaining commercial success with his roles as a police inspector in "Main Khiladi Tu Anari" and "Mohra." His performance in "Yeh Dillagi" alongside Kajol received critical acclaim, solidifying his position as one of the year's most successful actors.
Faces of Fame
- Achieved fame with the Khiladi series, which included the commercially successful films "Sabse Bada Khiladi" (1995) and "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi" (1996). Despite sustaining injuries during the filming of the later, his portrayal and action sequences garnered praise from critics and audiences alike.
- He has been a recipient of 2 Filmfare Awards out of 13 nominations. He received "Best Villain" for "Ajnabee" (2002) and "Best Comedian" for "Garam Masala" (2006).
- He has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Windsor in Canada, in Ontario on 9 May. He has been actively involved in social work both in India and Canada.
- The Asian Awards honored him for his outstanding achievement in Cinema on 18 October 2011.
- Received the prestigious National Film Award for "Best Actor" for his exceptional performance in the film "Rustom" in 2016. This recognition was a significant milestone in his career, acknowledging his talent and contribution to Indian cinema.
He holds the distinction of being one of Bollywood's highest-paid actors, commanding significant fees for his roles in films. Additionally, he is recognized as one of India's top taxpayers, consistently contributing substantial amounts to the national exchequer.
Transition to Comedy
His transition to comedy marked a pivotal shift in his career, starting with the success of "Hera Pheri" in 2000 and followed by hits like "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" and "Phir Hera Pheri." His impeccable timing and natural flair for comedy, coupled with his ability to deliver hilarious performances, endeared him to audiences.
Marriage
In a twist of fate, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna met during a magazine photoshoot in Mumbai. Their relationship took a significant turn when they worked together in the film "International Khiladi." He proposed to Twinkle, who agreed under a unique condition that if her movie "Mela" failed at the box office, they would marry. True to their word, they exchanged vows on January 17, 2001, in an intimate ceremony.
Akshay and Twinkle have a son Aarav Kumar born on September 15, 2002, and a daughter Nitara born on 25 September 2012.
Beyond the Silver Screen
He diversified his career beyond acting by venturing into film production through his company, "Hari Om Entertainment." He also expanded into television by hosting the Indian reality show "Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi."
A Box Office Powerhouse
His commercial success in bollywood is unparalleled, from action-packed thrillers to blockbuster comedies and socially relevant films like "Holiday" and "Kesari," he has consistently delivered hits that resonate with audiences.
His versatility and ability to choose engaging scripts establish him as a true box office powerhouse.
Supporting Bharat Ke Veer Campaign
He leads the "Bharat Ke Veer" fundraising initiative aimed at supporting members of the government paramilitary forces, notably the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Presented to the former Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, this initiative allows donations of up to ₹1.5 million to individual soldiers' accounts or unrestricted contributions to the overarching "Bharat Ke Veer" fund. The general fund extends aid to the families of CAPF or Assam Rifles personnel, tailored to their unique requirements.
Interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In April 2019, he hosted a non-political interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the official residence in New Delhi. The interview covered a range of subjects, including the Prime Minister's personal experiences, political trajectory, and his aspirations for the country. It attracted considerable interest and commendation for providing valuable insights into the Prime Minister's character and approach to leadership.
Exploring Into The Wild with Bear Grylls
Joined adventurer Bear Grylls for an episode of the popular television series "Into The Wild." Aired on Discovery Channel on 14 September 2020, the episode depicted their adventurous journey, overcoming challenges in the wilderness and showcasing survival skills. This episode gained significant attention, becoming one of the highest-rated shows in the infotainment genre on Discovery Channel.
A Bollywood Journey
- 1987: Minor role in the film Aaj.
- 1991: Debut in a leading role in the film Saugandh.
- 1992: Breakthrough with Khiladi, the first film of the Khiladi series.
- 1994: Featured in 14 releases, including Elaan, Mohra, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Suhaag, and Yeh Dillagi.
- 1996: Success with Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi.
- 1997: Success with Dil To Pagal Hai.
- 1999: Comeback with the crime drama Jaanwar.
- 2000: Success with Hera Pheri and Dhadkan.
- 2001: Success with Ajnabee, winning the Filmfare Best Villain Award.
- 2003: Success with Andaaz.
- 2004: Success with Aitraaz, Khakee, Aan: Men at Work, and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
- 2004: Presented the television series Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar.
- 2005: Success with Waqt, Garam Masala, and Family: Ties of Blood.
- 2006: Success with Bhagam Bhag, Phir Hera Pheri.
- 2007: Success with Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Welcome, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
- 2008: Success with Singh Is Kinng.
- 2008: Founded the Hari Om Entertainment production company.
- 2008: Hosted the first season of the reality game show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi.
- 2009: Honored with the Padma Shri.
- 2010: Success with Housefull and Tees Maar Khan.
- 2010: Hosted the first season of MasterChef India.
- 2011: Founded Grazing Goat Pictures.
- 2012: Success with Rowdy Rathore, Housefull 2, Khiladi 786, and OMG – Oh My God!.
- 2013: Success with Special 26.
- 2014: Success with Holiday.
- 2015: Success with Baby, Gabbar Is Back, Singh Is Bliing, and Housefull 3.
- 2016: Success with Airlift and Rustom.
- 2017: Success with Jolly LLB 2, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.
- 2018: Success with Padman, Gold, and 2.0.
- 2019: Success with Kesari, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, and Good Newwz.
- 2021: Success with Sooryavanshi.
- 2023: Success with OMG 2.
Recent Work
Akshay Kumar starred in Mission Raniganj (2023), portraying the real-life mining engineer Jaswant Singh Gill, who led a dramatic coal mine rescue operation.
He also appeared in OMG 2 (2023), a social comedy-drama that tackled the subject of sex education, earning praise for its relevant and bold messaging.
Diverse Brand Endorsements Across Industries
- Kumar has appeared in advertisements for PepsiCo India’s Sting, an energy drink brand.
- Akshay and Yami Gautam were featured as brand ambassadors for Dollar Industries in a TV commercial promoting their thermal wear products.
- Kumar has been the brand ambassador for Honda for the past five years, endorsing the brand’s two-wheelers.
- He is also the face of the detergent brand Nirma, representing their line of cleaning products.
- In the financial sector, Akshay is the brand ambassador for Policy Bazaar and Paisa Bazaar, promoting insurance and financial services.
- Since February 2022, Kumar has served as the brand ambassador for Uttarakhand, promoting the state’s tourism and cultural initiatives.
- In January 2024, Akshay Kumar became the brand ambassador for SG Mart, India’s leading B2B trading platform for building materials.
Heart and Citizenship, Both Indian
With ANI(Australian Nationality and Immigration) he acquired Canadian citizenship during a career slump but returned to India after his films became successful. Despite criticism, he emphasized the importance of having an Indian mindset and heart. Eventually, he obtained Indian citizenship in 2023.
Contribution to society
Akshay Kumar has been involved in various philanthropic activities throughout his career-
- He has supported numerous causes including education, healthcare, and disaster relief. He has also been a vocal advocate for environmental conservation and animal welfare. Some of his notable contributions include: Supporting education: He has established schools and provided scholarships to underprivileged children.
- Healthcare initiatives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he demonstrated philanthropy again by donating ₹25 crore to the PM CARES Fund in March 2020, along with ₹1 crore to Gautam Gambhir's charity. Amid the second wave, he contributed an additional ₹1 crore to Gambhir's foundation and donated ₹1 crore for the construction of a school building in Neeru Village, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2021.
- He dedicates himself to various social causes including women's empowerment, environmental conservation, and disaster relief efforts, generous donations to the Indian Army and their families, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to supporting those in need and making a positive impact on society.
Akshay Extensive Philanthropy Contributions
- In 2014, he and co-star Tamannaah Bhatia donated all the clothes from their film Entertainment to an animal welfare charity, Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals (YODA).
- Kumar donated ₹5 million (US$93,567) to Salman Khan's Being Human Foundation.
- In 2015, he donated ₹9 million to drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra, which Salman Khan acknowledged on Twitter.
- Akshay gave ₹25 lakh to a contestant on Khatron Ke Khiladi to support the contestant’s father’s cancer treatment.
- He donated ₹5 million to aid drought-affected people through the Maharashtra government's Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan.
- In March 2013, he started a 30-bed cancer shelter for policemen in Naigaon.
- Akshay helped acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal by transferring ₹5 lakh into her account to support her until she found a job.
- In 2017, Akshay launched an insurance scheme for registered stunt directors, which provided ₹20 lakh compensation to the family of deceased stunt director Abdul Sattar Munna.
- He donated ₹1.08 crore to the families of 12 CRPF jawans who were killed in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district in 2017.
- In August 2016, he donated ₹80 lakh to the families of army men, giving ₹5 lakh to each family.
- Akshay donated ₹9 lakh to the family of a martyred BSF jawan in October 2016.
- He donated ₹1.5 crore to build a shelter for transgender persons in Chennai, supporting the initiative led by Laxmii director Raghava Lawrence.
- Kumar endorses the Swachh Bharat Mission and has helped build toilets in Madhya Pradesh, promoting the importance of sanitation through his film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.
- In 2017, he launched the Bharat Ke Veer app, allowing direct donations to families of martyred soldiers.
- After the Pulwama terror attack, Akshay donated ₹15 lakh to a martyred jawan's family and pledged ₹5 crore through the Bharat Ke Veer app.
- He donated ₹9 lakh each to the families of 12 CRPF jawans killed in Chhattisgarh.
- During the 2020 floods in Kerala, Assam, and Chennai, he donated ₹1 crore each to the affected regions, earning gratitude from Assam's Chief Minister.
- At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Akshay was one of the first Bollywood personalities to contribute ₹25 crore to the PM CARES Fund.
- He donated ₹1 crore to ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir's foundation during the second wave of the pandemic to provide food, medicine, and oxygen for the needy.
- In 2021, Kumar donated ₹1 crore for the construction of a school building in Neeru Village, Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- In August 2024, he donated ₹1.21 crore to Haji Ali Dargah for its maintenance.
Anecdotes
- Akshay Kumar known for his action roles, initially worked as a chef in Bangkok, Thailand, before pursuing a career in acting.
- He began his acting career in 1991 with the film Saugandh and quickly gained recognition for his actionpacked performances.
- In 1994, he starred in the blockbuster film Main Khiladi Tu Anari, which cemented his position as a leading action hero in Bollywood.
- He is known for his dedication to fitness and often performs his own stunts in his films.
- Akshay Kumar is a philanthropist and has been involved in various social causes, including promoting environmental awareness and supporting education.
- He has won numerous awards for his acting, including four Filmfare Awards. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri, Indias fourthhighest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Awards and Recognitions
- Recipient of Three Filmfare Awards: Best Villain for Ajnabee 2002, Best Comedian for Garam Masala 2006, and Best Actor for Special 26 2013.
- Recipient of Three IIFA Awards: Best Performance in a Comic Role for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi 2005, Best Performance in a Negative Role for Ajnabee 2002, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Rustom 2017.
- Awarded NDTV Imagine Best Entertainer of the Year 2007 by the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards
- Named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine in 2008
- Recipient of two Screen Awards: Best Actor for Singh is Kinng 2009, and Best Actor in a Negative Role for Ajnabee 2002.
- Conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Windsor in 2008 for his contribution to Indian cinema
- Received the highest Japanese honors of Katana and a sixth-degree Black Belt in Kuyukai Gojuryu Karate in 2009
- Invited as one of the 15 international celebrities for the Olympics torch-bearer rally to Canada in 2009.
- Recipient of two Stardust Awards: Star of the Year for Singh is Kinng 2009, and Best Actor in Thriller/Action for Rowdy Rathore 2013.
- Bagged the Ultimate Man of the Year at the prestigious GQ Awards in 2015
- Won the HT Hottest Trendsetter (Male) award at the HT India's Most Stylish in 2019
National Awards
- Rajiv Gandhi Award 2004
- Padma Shri Award 2009
- The Asian Awards 2011
- National Film Awards 2017
Praise and Reflections from Colleagues
- “Akshay Kumar is one of the most hardworking actors in the industry. His discipline is something I admire, and I wish I could be like him when it comes to fitness and time management.” - Salman Khan
- “Akshay is an all-rounder. He can do comedy, action, drama, and romance, and still reinvent himself with every film. He’s constantly pushing boundaries.” - Karan Johar
- "Akshay is one of those rare actors who constantly challenges himself. Whether it's comedy, action, or a socially relevant subject, he always brings his A-game." - Rajkumar Hirani (Filmmaker)
- "Akshay Kumar is a director’s delight. He’s always on time, ready to work, and makes the set a better place with his positivity and energy." - Rohit Shetty (Director of Sooryavanshi)
Disclaimer
The information provided has been gathered from various sources and may have errors or discrepancies.
If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at support@imeuswe.in
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