When Akki missed Jackie

It’s a known fact that Akshay Kumar is a huge lover of martial arts. The actor makes it a point to watch martial art films and adores Jackie Chan. Recently Jackie was in India for the audio launch of Kamal Haasan’s Dasavatharam. However, Akshay couldn’t meet him as he was in China shooting for Nikhil Advani’s Chandni Chowk to China.

A source close to Akshay says that he was disappointed that he couldn’t meet the action star. “Akshay wanted to meet Jackie. He met him in 2004 when he went to Hong Kong as Jackie’s specially invited guest. Even though the two haven’t been in touch, Akshay still has fond memories of the encounter.”

It is learnt that Akshay has incorporated lots of martial art moves in Chandni Chowk to China. The actor wanted to discuss the various stunt sequences he’s done in the film. Even though he missed the chance to meet Jackie, Akshay plans to catch up with him before Chandni Chowk to China releases.

“Akshay is quite proud of the action in the film and wants to show it to Jackie,” says the source.

Tushar Joshi

Akshay & Jackie bhai-bhai

When the world’s biggest action star Jackie Chan made a hurricane visit to India, guess where our desi action star Akshay Kumar was?

He was shooting in the faraway China for his action flick Chandni Chowk to China. The two action superstars of Asia met last in Hong Kong and ever since has formed a mutual admiration society.

Jackie, whose film Forbidden Kingdom is all set for a release, was overheard enquiring about Akshay in Chennai. “He was told Akshay was shooting in China and he was really amused,” says a source. Wonder why? A perfect example of Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai!

Music, mess and Jackie Chan

Pandemonium reigned at the audio launch of Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam in Chennai

The audio launch of the Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, yesterday, was an exercise in chaos and confusion.

The mega-budget flick that stars Mallika Sherawat and Asin, had Jackie Chan in attendance. The Hong Kong superstar was specially flown in for the launch. A huge media contingent of over 200 people had also arrived to cover it. But the media could not even enter the stadium. At the time of going to press, it was unclear if the event even took place.

Thousands of fans were expected to attend and yet, the organisers hadn’t bothered to make the necessary arrangements. Things got so bad that the police had to resort to lathi charge and tear-gas shells to disperse the milling crowds outside.

Fans had begun filling in the stadium hours in advance to get a glimpse of the stars. Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini were the special guests. Himesh Reshammiya, who has composed the film’s music was also present. The stadium was filled to capacity hours before the event could begin.

One of the bystanders at the venue said, “I came here with my entire family as we are big fans of Kamal Haasan. It was announced that several stars like Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan would be present.

But it was a big mess.”

Produced by Oscar Ravindran and directed by KS Ravikumar, the film (in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi) has Kamal Haasan essay 10 roles. The actor has also penned the film.

Tushar Joshi