‘Suniel and I are like double malt whiskey’

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After working together in a number of memorable films like Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Mohra, Waqt Hamaara Hai and the 2009 release De Dana Dan, Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty will be seen together once again in Thank You. This reunion is special since the duo was supposed to be having professional problems ever since

Suniel had expressed his displeasure over Akshay hogging the limelight in Hera Pheri. Over time a lot has been said and written about the so-called misunderstanding between the two. Akshay, however, is quick to dismiss speculations and insists that Suniel has been like a big brother.
“Suniel is a loved actor and comedian and comedians don’t feel displeasure; they make jokes instead,” smiles Akshay, who says he is happy that Suniel is his co-star once again, “We have done so many movies together now and have been co-stars more than any other pair in our industry. Ask anyone and they will tell you that we always greet each other with the biggest and tightest of hugs. He is not only a respected elder to me, I think he is the fittest and healthiest man in the business.”
Since Suniel was also heard sharing similar sentiments, especially during the release of their last hit De Dana Dan, is this new-found camaraderie a result of a chat between the two that helped dispel the misunderstandings?
Says Akshay with a hearty laugh, “He was probably as miffed with me for hogging all the limelight in Heri Pheri as I was with Katrina for Sheila Ki Jawani. It’s all good fun. Suniel and I are like a double malt whiskey; we taste better with each sip (smiles). He has been like a big brother to me in every film.”
On the other hand, when it comes to Bobby Deol, Akshay is happy being his elder brother. Having earlier shared screen space in films like Ajnabee and Ab Tumhaare Hawale Watan Saathiyo, the actors will be seen together after half a decade in Dosti — Friends Forever.
“Bobby is a rock star, he is devilishly handsome and women love him, the camera loves him and my family love him.” Akshay goes on to sing Bobby’s praises, “I feel very protective of him. He is a wonderful husband, a great father, the best brother and an adoring son. He is dear friends even with my Canadian family. He is like my little brother.”
Professionally, however, since the two are working after a gap of five years, did they need some time to adjust or did they hit it off immediately? “With me and Bobby there is no sense of time,” says Akshay, “We can hang out constantly and barely know that we are shooting. He is the most laid-back, chilled-out and easy-going actor in Bollywood. So we just chatted and ate sushi together all day every day. It is a ‘Dosti Forever’ for sure.”
While the saga of brotherhood continued on the sets of Thank You, one wonders whether the other lead in the film, Irrfan Khan, felt left out. After all, amongst all the mainstream actors, he is the only one with a penchant for offbeat films. Also, while Akshay is a spontaneous actor, Irrfan is someone who is known for being methodical. Did that ever lead to any uncomfortable moments?
“You call me spontaneous? Well, Irrfan ‘Funny’ Khan has a comic quality that you very rarely get to witness,” Akshay says animatedly, “He has superb timing and many ‘one-in-a-million’ takes. That man blew me away in this film. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He really is a world-class actor. None of you have any idea how insanely funny this man is.”
Well, with an all around feeling of brotherhood prevalent here, we hope that Thank You turns out to be as much fun to watch as well.