Akshay Kumar: Bio, Age, Family, Career, Movies & Net Worth 2025

Akshay Kumar, born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia on September 9, 1967, in Amritsar, Punjab, is one of India’s most versatile and enduring film stars

Over more than three decades, he has evolved from a martial-arts enthusiast in Bangkok into a global Bollywood icon, earning praise as an action hero, comic genius, dramatic actor, producer, philanthropist and disciplined fitness role model.

Known popularly as the “Khiladi of Bollywood,” he has starred in over 150 films, won multiple awards, delivered blockbuster hits across genres, and used fame to serve social causes.

In 2009, he received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.¹

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Early Life & Background of Akshay Kumar

• Birth name & date: Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia; born September 9, 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab.

• Family: Son of Hari Om Bhatia (army veteran turned accountant) and Aruna Bhatia. The family moved early to Delhi, then to Mumbai (then Bombay), where he attended Don Bosco School and later Guru Nanak Khalsa College.

• Martial arts & early jobs: Dropped out of college and traveled to Bangkok to study Muay Thai. He worked as chef, waiter, martial-arts teacher and even peon in Kolkata before being guided into modelling and films by a student-photographer.²

• Name change: Adopted the screen name Akshay Kumar, inspired by the lead character in his early film Aaj (1987).³

Akshay Kumar’s Film Career 

Debut & Action Stardom (1991–1999)

• Saugandh (1991): First lead role; debut as Shiva Kirplani.⁴

• Khiladi (1992): Super-hit that established his action image; earned nickname “Khiladi Kumar”.

• 1990s Action Hits: Mohra (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Jaanwar (1999), Sangharsh (1999) and others cemented his action-hero tag.

Transition to Comedy & Romance (2000–2007)

• Comedic breakthrough with Hera Pheri (2000) as Raju; remains iconic in Bollywood comedy canon.

• Other comedies: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005; won Filmfare Award for Best Comedian), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007).⁵

• Romantic/drama successes: Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dhadkan (2000), Andaaz (2003), Namastey London (2007).

Critical & Patriotic Drama (2008–2016)

• Ajnabee (2001): Earned Filmfare Award – Best Villain for role as murderer/husband Vikram Bajaj.

• Garam Masala (2005): Comic lead; Filmfare Award again.

• Later hits: Singh Is Kinng (2008), Khatron Ke Khiladi (hosted), Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015), Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014), Airlift (2016) (grossed ₹221 cr worldwide; praised performance).⁶

• Rustom (2016): Awarded National Film Award – Best Actor for portrayal of naval officer Rustom Pavri in courtroom drama inspired by real events.

Social Cinema & Box-Office King (2017–2019)

• Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Pad Man (2018): Social-issue films on sanitation and menstrual hygiene; won National Award for Best Social Film for Pad Man.

• Kesari (2019): War drama based on Battle of Saragarhi; grossed ~₹207 cr globally.

• 2019 hat-trick: Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, Good Newwz, and Kesari consecutively crossed ₹200 cr mark; record streak at domestic box office.

Recent Projects & Reinvention (2020–2025)

• Mixed phase: Laxmii (2020), Raksha Bandhan (2022), Cuttputlli (2022), Ram Setu (2022), Selfiee (2023) underwhelmed commercially.

• Comebacks: OMG 2 (2023 – socially relevant comedy), Mission Raniganj (2023 – based on mining rescue), Sooryavanshi (2021), Singham Again (2024) held interest.

• 2024–25 releases: Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sarfira, Khel Khel Mein, Singham Again, Sky Force (action-drama; release Jan 2025), Housefull 5 (comedy; mid-2025), upcoming Jolly LLB 3, Bhooth Bangla, Kesari Chapter 2, Hera Pheri 3, cameo in Kannappa (Telugu).⁷

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Awards & Recognition

Personal Life 

Marriage: Tied knot with Twinkle Khanna (daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia) in 2001. They have two children: Aarav (b. 2002) and Nitara (b. 2012).

Citizenship: Held Canadian citizenship from ~2011 to 2023. On 15 August 2023, he formally reclaimed Indian citizenship and shared a patriotic message online: “Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani.”.⁸

Lifestyle & image: Famous for performing his own dangerous stunts, ifting Undertaker in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, plane-edge stunt in International Khiladi, 150-ft plunge in 8×10 Tasveer.⁹

He follows strict fitness regimen: wakes at 5 am, sleeps 8:30–9 pm, avoids alcohol, coffee, tea, eats clean food, trains martial arts, yoga, weight-training daily.¹⁰

Roots & humility: Regularly revisits childhood home and school in Sion and Bandra, Mumbai, stating it keeps him grounded despite fame.¹¹

Business Ventures & Net Worth

• Started Cape of Good Films (formerly Hari Om Entertainment) in 2008, later Grazing Goat Pictures (~2011); co-produced films including OMG, Rustom, Pad Man, OMG 2 etc.

• Diversified into fashion, real estate, sports, gaming, and start-up investments. He owns luxury villas globally. Reports estimate his net worth at ₹2,500 crore; he commands fees of ₹90 crore+ per film; first paycheck was around ₹5,000 for Deedar.¹²

• Sports & philanthropy: Owned kabaddi team Khalsa Warriors in World Kabaddi League. Supports causes like soldiers’ welfare, girls’ education, disaster relief, health campaigns. During COVID-19 he donated to PM-CARES, frontline workers. He launched Bharat Ke Veer portal for armed-forces families.¹³

• Reddit reports show he donated ₹25 lakh to support daughter of Padma Bhushan awardee Gurmeet Bawa; earlier funded education of 500 girls and flood-relief in Assam with ₹1 crore each.

Talent runs in the family…suna thaa, ab dekh liya! Hearing lovely things about the brilliant acting chops of @kalyanipriyan, Priyadarshan Sir’s daughter. My best wishes to her and the entire team of #Lokah on their Hindi version release. More power 🙌

— Jolly Mishra – Asli Jolly from Kanpur (@akshaykumar) September 3, 2025

Challenges & Comebacks

• Early career setbacks: Faced 14 flops in a row; was derided as “kachra” (garbage) by some filmmakers. Director Suneel Darshan later cast him in hits like Jaanwar, Andaaz, Dosti, rebuilding his career.

• Career ups and downs post-2019: After a slump, his work from OMG 2, Sky Force, Housefull 5 indicates his ongoing adaptability and star power.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Akshay Kumar’s real name and birth date?

His birth name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, born 9 September 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab.

2. What launched him into Bollywood?

He debuted with Saugandh (1991), but became known nationally after Khiladi (1992), which made him the “Khiladi Kumar” action hero.

3. How many films has he done?

He has acted in around 150+ films across genres including action, comedy, romance, thriller, social drama through to mid-2025.

4. Has he won any awards?

Yes. Key honours include National Film Award for Best Actor (Rustom, 2016), Padma Shri (2009), Filmfare Awards for Ajnabee (Best Villain) and Garam Masala (Best Comedian), plus over 50 awards across other platforms like IIFA, Stardust, Zee Cine, etc.

5. What is his net worth?

As of mid-2025, his net worth is estimated at around ₹2,500 crore. He commands over ₹90 crore per film. His first film payment was reportedly ₹5,001.

6. Does he produce films?

Yes. He co-founded Cape of Good Films (2008) and Grazing Goat Pictures (circa 2011). These houses produced films such as OMG, Pad Man, Rustom and OMG 2.

7. Is he married?

Yes. He married Twinkle Khanna in 2001. They have a son Aarav and daughter Nitara.

 

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Akshay Kumar’s Legacy & Influence

Akshay Kumar’s journey from a humble martial-arts instructor to one of Bollywood’s most prolific and bankable actors is nothing short of inspiring.

His versatility across action, comedy, romance, drama and social cinema has made him relevant to multiple generations. He earned reputation for doing his own risky stunts at a time when no other star dared.

His disciplined lifestyle, fitness-first philosophy and grounded humility still visiting his old school and childhood home in Bandra makes him a role model beyond films.¹⁴

He expanded his influence via production ventures and diversified investments. His philanthropic efforts, whether supporting soldiers’ families, funding education, standing for women’s hygiene, or backing disaster relief reflect his commitment to giving back.¹⁵

Despite early setbacks, he rose to fame through sheer perseverance and adaptability. His mainstream commercial hits co-exist with meaningful socially relevant films, balancing mass appeal with conscience.

By mid-2025, he remains a major draw at box office, commanding top fees and anchoring big franchises like Housefull and Kesari, while also taking up bold roles in films like Sky Force and OMG 2.¹⁶

Akshay Kumar’s legacy is that of a disciplined, hardworking actor who never stopped evolving. He is not only a star but a fitness icon, a responsible citizen, a philanthropist, a businessman and an enduring symbol of Indian cinema’s adaptability.

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