Akshay Kumar's Unwavering Support After Tashan's Box Office Disappointment
In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, director Vijay Krishna Acharya has opened up about the challenging period following the release of his film Tashan, revealing how Akshay Kumar demonstrated remarkable solidarity when the movie faced severe criticism and commercial failure. The film, which marked Akshay Kumar's return to Yash Raj Films after a decade, attempted an ambitious fusion of cinematic styles but ultimately fell short of expectations at the box office.
The Backlash and Akshay's Immediate Response
As Tashan bombed at the box office, the backlash was relentless, with the film being mercilessly trolled across platforms. Acharya recalled that amid this growing hostility, Akshay Kumar stood firmly by his side even as the industry's mood turned volatile. "As a commercial film, it was below average, and I think there was a fair amount of flak," Acharya reflected. "The one person who, on the day of the release, called me and then continued to bat for the film on the front foot was Akshay."
Acharya shared the heartfelt gesture that defined their professional relationship during this difficult time. "I remember he called and said, 'Never mind, I'm doing your next film, or whatever you want to do next.' It's sad that I haven't been able to make another film with him, but that's the kind of support he offered." The director also acknowledged the substantial support from producer Aditya Chopra during this period.
Proving Critics Wrong with a Genuine Performance
Acharya emphasized how Akshay Kumar's performance as Bachchan Pandey in Tashan silenced many of his harshest critics. "I thought he brought a quality to that character which is fabulous. In fact, he beat a lot of his own worst critics in that film because it's a genuine performance, completely from the heart," the director stated passionately.
He elaborated on Akshay's dedication to the role, noting his extensive preparation and commitment. "For all the people who have any kind of criticism about it, I can only say I enjoyed every day of working on it. I loved it. He came in read with me, he knew his dialogues. The Ram Leela scene the way he did it, all of that is fabulous."
Aditya Chopra's Casting Suggestion and Akshay's Conviction
Acharya revealed that Akshay Kumar's casting in Tashan came at the suggestion of producer Aditya Chopra. "It was Adi's suggestion. I wasn't initially sure, because I think I had written it very strongly based in Uttar Pradesh and all that so I had an image of the character, but I didn't have an actor in mind."
Recalling his first meeting with the actor, Acharya described how Akshay's conviction left a lasting impression. "When I met Akshay and narrated it to him, he was quite remarkable, both during and after the film, for me personally. I remember during the narration, it was a long one, he said, 'You know, just tell me the story.' And I said, 'No, it's a film where the dialogue is written; a lot of it is going to be about that.' He heard the whole thing and said, 'I'm doing the film.'"
Acharya added an even more remarkable detail about Akshay's enthusiasm for the project. "He even said, 'I would have done the film if you had just told me the name of the character. I would have done it just for Bachchan Pandey.'"
Working with Seasoned Actors and Their Commitment
In the same conversation, Acharya also reflected on working with Anil Kapoor, who played the antagonist in the film, and discussed the commitment of seasoned actors. "Sort of the beauty of all of these guys, especially the old school, and later I witnessed this with Mr. Bachchan as well, is that they're actually only about the film, the script, and the effort you put in," he observed.
Acharya shared specific examples of their dedication to the craft. "I used to go to Anil Kapoor's house and read the script pretty much every day for a couple of months. Then I made some CDs for him and for Akshay, which they would listen to just for the dialect."
The director addressed common criticisms about mainstream actors, stating, "This is something we often come across the criticism of mainstream cinema or mainstream actors, that somehow method acting is left to other people and these actors just make their lines up. I had the opposite experience."
Tashan remains a significant chapter in Bollywood history, not just for its ambitious cinematic vision but for the professional relationships and support systems it revealed within the industry during challenging times.
