Sreya Basu, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network

This is the first time you are playing a psychic...

...Yes. But not in that 'mad' sense. My character has the supernatural quality of getting inside any photo and be a part of that moment and even interact with the persons present in that frame.

So, 'action hero' Akshay is joining the gang of Bollywood superheroes with TASVEER?

You can say that. But unlike other Bollywood superheroes who can fly, compete with horses and do wonders with the help of alien or magic bracelet, this one is an ordinary man with some supernatural wiring inside his head. In fact, in this film, there are more psychological actions than physical ones. TASVEER is not a fantasy film, but it's India's first psychological thriller.

There was a buzz that you and director Nagesh Kukunoor relationship soured during the shooting of TASVEER?

If that would have been true, do you think we could have completed the film in our scheduled 47 days and going to be released in a few days!

Do you say that was pure rumour without any spark?

See, both me and Nagesh were working together for the first time and we were not familiar with each other's style of working. So initially, more specifically, for the first four days I got a bit irritated with Nagesh interfering with the way I want to do a scene. But after I saw what and how he has shot the scenes with me, I completely understood what exactly he wanted and how versatile he is as a filmmaker. I think some journos wrote on those four days of irritation but forgot to mention the time span. (Laughs)

This film is Ayesha Takia's last film before marriage. What is your take on her decision to leave the film industry?

I can't surely comment on her personal decision. She has got married recently and I pray she has the most fantastic married life. She plays my love interest in TASVEER. This is the first time we worked together and I must say she is a fantastic actor and more mature than her age. Personally, I feel she must continue as an actor.

We recently saw the first cuts of your forthcoming film KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. There is a sword fight scene with Kareena Kapoor. Many are thinking it to be 'inspired' by the sword scene of JODHAA AKBAR. Your comment.

I can't force people to 'think' what I want them to. The scene is definitely not copied from JODHAA AKBAR...there is no need to do that because the storylines are completely different. I wish I could tell you the story to clarify this. But at the moment we are not promoting KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. All I can say is, I play a stuntman in the film. So using the sword should not be considered as a monopoly.

You have always done all dangerous stunts on your own. Are you still comfortable doing them?

You mean to say...are you still comfortable doing them as you are growing old? Right? (Laughs) I love doing my own stunts and anything that's dangerous and challenging. Besides, I have been doing these since my KHILADI days even before wires were invented. So in a way, jab tak paharse na kudo, khana hazam nehi hota hai! It has become a part and parcel of my life. And thanks to God, I am still physically fit to perform all those stunts. Besides, I need to show my son something 'hero-like' to make him feel proud of me.

You did a terribly dangerous stunt in TASVEER too...

There is a scene where I am required to jump off a huge cliff. While Nagesh suggested the shortest one, I chose to fall from the tallest one. The shot was 'Okay'-ed in the second take...but I took a third one because felt the earlier lacked spontaneity.

Your BLUE co-star Kylie Minogue said you are one of the hottest man on earth?

I am not humble enough to contradict her statement.

In a recent awards function, you said all your success as a star is because of your wife Twinkle. Do you really mean it?

If I say 'No' now, Tina (Twinkle) will kick me out of the house. Jokes apart, Tina is my strength and inspiration. I am incomplete without her.