Akshay is King among Sikhs

After being declared everything from action king to gay icon to India’s only non-Khan pin-up star, Akshay Kumar now finds himself being nominated the NRI Sikhs’ favourite star.

The reason? He plays a Sikh, Amrit Paal Maan Singh, in his underproduction comedy Singh Is Kinng now being shot on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Contrary to rumours that Akshay had upset the Sikh community abroad by undertaking this role, the Sikhs have in fact taken to Akshay in a big way.

Says director Anees Bazmi, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. The news that Akshay is playing a Sikh has spread across Australia and we’ve a constant stream of Sardarjis dropping in on the sets to hug Akshay, show him how to wear the turban, and generally give him tips to enhance his character. They feel a deep empathy with him since he’s a Punjabi and has always been close to their community.”

Sardarjis have for long been the brunt of jokes in Bollywood. It’s the first time that the community feels it has a real hero to represent them on screen. “We’re portraying the Sikh hero as the archetypal protector whom a woman can feel safe with in a taxi in some strange city even in the middle of the night, because the holy sword will be used to vanquish aggressors,” explains Bazmi.

Producer Vipul Shah feels Singh Is Kinng is becoming much larger than the comedy that it was originally intended to be. “The title, plus Akshay in a turban, has created a curiosity amounting to a movement among Sikhs to see their reputation salvaged by the super-hero,” says Vipul. “There’s a scary amount of expectations from Akshay that we have no choice but to deliver.”

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com