The original name of Akshay Kumar is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. He was born on September 9th, 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab to a Punjabi family. His father was a government employee. Before moving to Mumbai he was raised in Delhi. He studied at Don Bosco School and then Guru Nanak Khalsa College (King`s Circle). Later Kumar studied martial arts in Bankok and also worked as a chef. He also took up the job of a martial arts teacher and on being suggested he took up modelling as a profession. He was soon offered a lead role by producer Pramod Chakravarthy in the movie Deedar. Akshay is married to Twinkle Khanna, daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. The couple has a son named Aarav.

Film Career of Akshay Kumar
Akshay made his debut in the movie Saugandh in 1991 followed by Deedar, Dancer, and Khiladi in 1992. The movie Khiladi was a smashing hit at the box office. Next Akshay starred in many other movies which could not well at the box office. In 1994 his three movies Mohra with Raveena Tandon, Yeh Dillagi with Saif Ali Khan and Kajol and Mein Khiladi Tu Anari with Saif Ali Khan and Shilpa Shetty did exceptionally well at the box office. He even received nominations for Best Actor award at the Filmfare and Star Screen ceremonies for Yeh Dillagi. Akshay was soon labelled as the action hero of Bollywood. Akshay continued to receive fame with his Khiladi series like Sabse Bada Khiladi with Mamta Kulkarni in 1995 and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi opposite Rekha and Raveena Tandon in 1996. Both the movies were blockbuster hits. Kumar was seen a supporting role in the Yash Raj Films Dil to Pagal Hai. His other releases in the subsequent years along with his two Khiladi series: Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi and International Khiladi underperformed at the box office. Kumar next receives rave reviews for his performances in the movies Sangharsh and Jaanwar.

In 2000 Akshay proved his versatility as a comedian in the super hit movie Hera Pheri with Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty. His other movie Dhadkan alongside Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Shetty faired well. His role as a villain in the movie Ajnabee proved his adaptability to different styles and characters. He further enhanced his career by signing comedy flicks like Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Garam Masala (2005). Akshay proved his flair for dramatic roles in movies like Ek Rishtaa (2001), Aankhen (2002), Bewafaa (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005). In 2006 he starred in a sequel to Hera Pheri titled Phir Hera Pheri and Bhagam Bhag. The movies were a huge success at the box office. His next four releases, Namastey London, Heyy Baby, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Welcome received blockbuster status at the box office. Akshay did not see much success with his next releases like Tashan, Chandni Chowk to China, 8x10 Tasveer, Kambakkht Ishq, Blue and others. The only movie that performed well was Singh Is Kinng.

In 2010 Akshay starred in Sajid Khan`s comedy, Housefull which faired well. Kumar`s next releases were Priyadarshan`s Khatta Meetha, Vipul Shah`s Action Replay, Farah Khan`s Tees Maar Khan and Nikhil Advani`s Patiala House.

Apart from Bollywood Akshay has also appeared in the small screen as a host in the Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi. He later returned to host the show`s second season in 2009.

Awards and Honours of Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar has won many awards for his commendable performances in movies. Few of his awards are mentioned below:

Filmfare Awards
2002: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Ajnabee
2006: Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Garam Masala

IIFA Awards
2002 - IIFA Best Villain Award for Ajnabee
2005 - IIFA Best Comedian Award for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
2008 - IIFA Special Award from the host country, Thailand

Honours and Recognitions
2004 - Rajiv Gandhi Award for his outstanding achievements in Bollywood
2008 - Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada for his outstanding work in the film industry and contribution to social work.
2008 - Named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People (India) magazine
2009 - Padma Shri, India`s fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India
2009 - He was among the 10 recipients of the IIFA-FICCI Frames Awards for the Most Powerful Entertainers of the Decade
2009 - He was awarded the highest Japanese honour of "Katana" and a sixth degree Black Belt in Kuyukai Gojuryu Karate
2009 - He was one of the 15 international celebrities invited for the Olympics torch-bearer rally to Canada

Filmography of Akshay Kumar

Patiala House (2011)
Hera Pheri 4 (2010)
Saamna (2010)
Tees Maar Khan (2010)
Action Replay (2010)
Khatta Meetha (2010)
House Full (2010)
De Dana Dan (2009)
Blue (2009)
Kambakht Ishq (2009)
8 x 10 Tasveer (2009)
Chandni Chowk To China (2009)
Jumbo (2008)
Singh Is Kinng (2008)
Tashan (2008)
Welcome (2007)
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Heyy Babyy (2007)
Namastey London (2007)
Bhagam Bhag (2006)
Jaan-e-Mann (2006)
Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006)
Garam Masala (2005)
Autograph (2005)
Bewafaa (2005)
Deewane Huye Pagal (2005)
Dosti (2005)
Family (2005)
Insaan (2005)
Phir Hera Pheri (2005)
Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005)
Hatya: The Murder (2004)
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
Aan: Men at Work (2004)
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004)
Aitraaz (2004)
Khakee (2004)
Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin (2004)
Police Force (2004)
Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar (mini) (2004)
Andaaz (2003)
Talaash: The Hunt Begins... (2003)
Aankhen (2002)
Awara Paagal Deewana (2002)
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002)
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002)
Ajnabee (2001)
Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001)
Hera Pheri (2000)
Dhadkan (2000)
Khiladi 420 (2000)
Aarzoo (1999)
International Khiladi (1999)
Jaanwar (1999)
Sangharsh (1999)
Zulmi (1999)
Angaaray (1998)
Barood (1998)
Keemat (1998)
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Aflatoon (1997)
Daava (1997)
Insaaf (1997)
Lahu Ke Do Rang (1997)
Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi (1997)
Tarazu (1997)
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996)
Sapoot (1996)
Tu Chor Main Sipahi (1996)
Maidan-E-Jung (1995)
Paandav (1995)
Sab Se Bada Khiladi (1995)
Amaanat (1994)
Elaan (1994)
Hum Hain Bemisaal (1994)
Ikke Pe Ikka (1994)
Jai Kishen (1994)
Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994)
Mohra (1994)
Nazar Ke Samne (1994)
Suhaag (1994)
Yeh Dillagi (1994)
Zaalim (1994)
Zakhmi Dil (1994)
Ashaant (1993)
Dil Ki Baazi (1993)
Kayda Kanoon (1993)
Sainik (1993)
Waqt Hamara Hai (1993)
Deedar (1992)
Khiladi (1992)
Mr. Bond (1992)
Dancer (1991)
Saugandh (1991)