Akshay Kumar -- The game changer: How the actor is choosing powerful actresses, not star heroines

In recent times, we have seen a lot of films being stalled because of the lack of a top leading lady. Aanand L Rai spent over a year oscillating between Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Sonam Kapoor to feature opposite Shah Rukh Khan alongside Katrina Kaif in his next untitled film. Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor were wooed for Aamir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan till his Dangal co-star, till Fatima Sana Shaikh came on board.

Going after glam

Most top male stars only want to be paired with top actresses on the big screen, for two reasons. One, glamour, and two, they bring in their loyal fans to the theatres. Deepika Padukone gets in as many fans to the screens as any top male actor. When SRK works with a new actress, it is someone like Mahira Khan, who has a huge fan following across the border, in the Middle East etc. Salman Khan’s heroine in his next film Tubelight is a Chinese star. Chosen strategically by director Kabir Khan for her huge fan following and international appeal.

The game plan

Akshay Kumar has slowly moved away from working actresses such as Deepika, Katrina, Anushka and Sonakshi. A brief glance at his past projects shows that after having worked with these gals in multiple projects , he changed his game plan and began working with lesser-known actresses. Beginning with Jacqueline Fernandez, who became an A-List heroine after she paired with him in Housefull, followed by Salman Khan in Kick

The new brigade

In his last few films, Akshay has not shared screen space with any of the top leading ladies. He seems to be intent on working with actresses known for their acting chops rather than just good looks. The Shaukeens starred Lisa Haydon, Baby had Madhurima Tuli and Taapsee Pannu, Shruti Haasan in Gabbar is Back, and Amy Jackson featured in Singh is Bliing. Just when one could think that the actor was opting for the glamourous ladies, he changed tracks again.

The right choice

Akshay quickly realised the importance of casting the right actress in a role. And not any actress because she was in the top ten list. Nimrat Kaur got noticed for her performance in The Lunchbox, and he signed her for Airlift, while Jolly LLB 2 starred Huma Qureshi. Akshay did an extended special appearance in Naam Shabana starring Taapsee. In his next two films, Padman and Toilet Ek Prem Katha, he is paired with Radhika Apte and Bhumi Pednekar.

It’s not about the role

Actresses like Kangana Ranaut have often said that women have precious little to do in a Khan movie. Lately, Akki’s leading ladies have had a lot to do in the films. Taapsee’s brief role in Baby led her to getting her own full-fledged spy movie in Naam Shabana.

Money matters

Akshay is known for his business acumen. One of the aspects that Akshay has often emphasised on is controlling the budget of a film. Akshay’s fees depend on the profit of the film since he also produces it. By taking a relatively new heroine, he manages to save big bucks, which also helps the project in other ways like easy availability of dates et al. Signing a new actress is beneficial to the audience as well as it brings along the excitement of getting to see a new pair on screen.

Akshay's track record since 2014

2014
Entertainment
Tamannaah Bhatia

2014
The Shaukeens
Lisa Haydon

2015
Baby
Madhurima Tuli and Taapsee Pannu

2014
Gabbar is Back
Shruti Haasan

2015
Singh is Bliing
Amy Jackson

2016
Airlift
Nimrat Kaur

2016
Rustom
Ileana D’Cruz

2017
Jolly LLB 2 
Huma Qureshi

2017
Naam Shabana
Taapsee Pannu (starred him in a  guest appearance)

2017
Toilet Ek Prem Katha
Bhumi Pednekar

2017
Padman
Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor