Akshay Kumar is known for his sense of humour, not just on-screen but even off-screen. The actor who has been in the industry for over three decades has been a part of some memorable movies and some which can be called cult (but in a funny way). Case in point – Jaani Dushman. Like they say, the film was so bad, it was good. It’s quite a hit today on satellite. In a recent interview, Akshay shared a funny story about how he made the director extend his role in the film so he gets more money and can buy a flat.
The ‘Khiladi’ actor recalled in an interview with Pinkvilla, “In that film, Armaan Kohli kills me. He’s playing the snake, and I die. I was on a per-day pay structure at the time, and I wanted to buy a flat. I needed the money, so just like that, I went to the director, Rajkumar Kohli, and told him, ‘Sir, mera kaam khatam ho gaya hai, lekin aap tension mein lag rahe ho’ (Sir, my work is done, but you seem stressed).”
He added, “I came to know that one of the actors’ dates wasn’t available, so I said, ‘Paaji, main aa jaun vapas?’ (Brother, can I come back?).” However, the director initially refused, saying, “Oh, tu toh marr gaya hai” (But you’re already dead).”
That’s when the director thought it’s a good idea and he made Akshay’s character remain in coma and not make him die in the film. “After five minutes, he thought about it and said, ‘Akshay, baat sun. Tereko main coma mein kar deta hoon, tu vapas aa jaa’ (Listen, Akshay. I’ll put you in a coma. You can come back).”
Further laughing about it, Akshay said, “And if you watch the film, you’ll see my character is suddenly found in a coma—he’s not dead. Then I wake up and fight again. So, for five more days, I shot fight sequences, and I got paid for those five extra days. That’s how my role in Jaani Dushman became much bigger.”
The actor jokingly then urged everyone to watch the film on TV calling it a very good film.
