Laundering his much-gossiped-about Lady Slayer profile, the actor is on a re-invention spree. Ask him if he felt he could handle the arch-competition from the Khans, the Bachchans, plus the upcoming insta-fame kids on the block. To which he responded without hemming and hawing. So in the classic tradition, Desipowerchat brings to you Akshay Kumar in a chat fest. 

Can you handle the competition? 
It’s not a war out here. You know we make the highest number of films in the world; there are enough opportunities for every actor to show his skills. Or `non-skills.’ I’m surprised that you’re asking me such a question... it’s more than obvious that every actor has his place, and with sustained work I have mine. I’m confident that whatever I do, it’s straight from my heart.

What do you think of the new talent on the block?
I loved Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2. I felt it was a tremendous performance; he made the impossible look possible. I’ve heard good things about Abhishek Bachchan in Guru, but I’ve been too caught up to see the film. In a few hours I leave for Sydney for a long spell of shooting. 

I believe you were very depressed when Jaan-e-Mann bombed?  
It wasn’t exactly depression. But I would be lying if I were to say that I wasn’t affected at all. I’d worked hard. I was looking forward to the film’s release. When it didn’t click, I did have cramps in my stomach... then one has to get up and move ahead. Personally I liked Jaan-e-Mann. But I was told some of my friends that the second half was a bit too long. Maybe I should have been its editor (Laughs) Who can be a better editor than me?

Didn’t the film suffer because of Salman Khan’s tantrums? Like him shaving himself bald, suddenly, which didn't gel with the continuity?
I didn’t find any continuity jerks. Yes, the film was supposed to take four to five months, it took eight to nine months. Every film has its problems. At times, the set catches fire, or an actor’s bones are broken because of a difficult stunt. 

Wasn’t there tension between Salman Khan and you during the shoot? 
Between him and me? Earlier, this was said when we were doing Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. There’s no problem between us.

But newspapers reported that there was major tension between Salman and you because of Katrina Kaif.
Let’s get this point clear. When any hero does two or three films with any heroine, rumours happen.

Meaning you treated Katrina Kaif like your bhabhi?
Bhabhi is too great a word. I can just say that I’m relieved that you didn’t call her my sister.

Has any actor ever cut your role? Yes or no?
Yes a long time ago.

What about the mixed reports on Bhagam Bhag?
Whatever the reports, it did well commercially and I’m a commercial hero. I really believe in commercialism.

What does Tina (wife Twinkle Khanna) have to say about your movies?
Let me put it this way, she doesn’t say much.

In which films has she liked you?
Hera Pheri, part I. We don’t go into analysis about my work. I’m easy-going, theek hai if she likes my film, fine. If she doesn’t, that’s okay too.