BOLLYWOOD ZONE

He was written off after the debacle of "Chandni Chowk To China" and "8X10 Tasveer", but Akshay Kumar is back to entertain audiences with his full-on masala act in the action-thriller "Kambakkht Ishq" that experts hope will pull the industry out of the dumps."You would be foolish to write him off," said Anees Bazmee, who has delivered two superhits "Singh Is Kinng" and "Welcome" with Akshay. "Don't forget that he is the same man who has been the darling of the masses and given so many back-to-back money spinners. He cannot be penalised for one 'Chandni Chowk To China' throughout his life."After "Chandni Chowk...", Akshay suffered another setback in the form of Nagesh Kukunoor's "8X10 Tasveer"."'8X10 Tasveer' was never meant to be blockbuster material to begin with, even though critics insisted on calling it 'the Akshay Kumar' film. Also, a terrible climax was the major reason for the film to flop, not Akshay's acting. In fact, he was the lone saving grace of the film," said a trade analyst.In the much-awaited "Kambakkht Ishq", releasing on July 3, Akshay plays a Hollywood stuntman with an international set-up that boasts Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallon, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh."This is a film for the masses but with a rich international feel to it that would break the mass versus class barrier," said Sajid Nadiadwala, the man behind the multi-crore movie, "We have the best of both the worlds in the film with Kareena Kapoor playing a supermodel. The Akshay-Kareena combination is the one to watch out for.""Akshay is a superstar and he is here to stay. Let 'Kambakkht Ishq' release and we will see it for ourselves," said Sajid Khan who has roped him in for his second directorial venture "Houseful".However, the usual 'Akshay Kumar frenzy' is missing even though the film is less than a fortnight away from release."Let's not read too much into it. Akshay is too big a star to be worried about such minor things. And why are we forgetting that he is the same man who in the last three years has seen 21 films of his getting released out of which 17 have been hits."He is the most consistent actor, star and a lot more than that. Just because one film of his doesn't take a kickstart as expected, people out there have started making judgments," said Vipul Shah, who directed Akshay in the hit "Namastey London".As the countdown begins for "Kambakkht Ishq", Shah has the last word."I can recount 100 such cases when someone has been pulled down so badly. A few months back, it happened to Himesh Reshammiya for 'Karzzzz'. Earlier, after 'Saawariya', Sanjay Leela Bhansali was said to be finished."Hurman Baweja got to hear so much due to 'Love Story 2050' while after 'Drona', Abhishek was written off. This is sheer cynicism at play but mind you, one film cannot make or break anyone. With 'Kambakkht Ishq', the industry would get the much-needed respite."

Not only did the top ten earners pay 17.7% more by way of taxes than in the previous year, but the industry has thrown up a new ‘Hero No 1′. Akshay Kumar, who paid a whopping Rs 31 crore to the I-T department, narrowly pipped Shah Rukh Khan (Rs 30.99 crore) to the title of Bollywood’s highest taxpayer of 2008-09. The top ten Bollywood stars together paid Rs 107 crore as taxes while the same set had paid Rs 90.90 crore in 2007-08 when the economy was booming. The other two Khans - Salman and Saif Ali - were at number three and four, having paid Rs 14 crore and Rs 8.6 crore respectively.
As far as taxes go, Bollywood’s Jodi No 1 was Saif Ali and his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Kareena was placed at No 7 with a deposit of Rs 3.7 crore in the tax kitty. The duo clearly beat the Bachchans - Abhishek and Aishwarya - who stood at No 8 and No 6 respectively. Surprisingly, yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna continues to be among Bollywood’s big tax payers, coming in at No 5 after paying Rs 6.87 crore - ahead of the Big B (Rs 1.25 crore), who slipped to the 10th rank from No 7 last year. Khanna had paid Rs 11.90 crore last year, the third highest after his son-in-law Akshay Kumar (No 2) and SRK (No 1). The details of Khanna’s business operations were not available. While SRK had paid Rs 31.50 crore, Akshay trailed behind him with a deposit of Rs 12.50 crore.
At No 9 this year is singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya, who paid taxes to the tune of Rs 3 crore. Notable among those missing from the top 10 list is Salman Khan’s current flame and industry favourite Katrina Kaif. Aishwarya Rai, on the other hand, has improved her ranking from No 9 last year to No 6. Both Kareena’s rise (No 10 last year) and Aishwarya’s have been at the cost of theBig B and son Abhishek. Last year, Abhishek was placed at No 5.

Akshay Kumar who is riding high in the industry has made news for his whopping price demand for his next film. Akshay has refused to do a film for his Mohra director Rajiv Rai unless he pays him his dues of a massive 45 crore.
Akshay has ruined Rajiv Rai’s plans of making a comeback in the industry with his friend Akshay Kumar. Now the film has been put on hold because of Akshay’s demands for 45 crore.
Akshay had initially given the film a nod and Rajiv Rai had moved from his Los Angeles home to Mumbai for the proceedings. Rajiv had also registered three titles Do or Die, To Do or Die and Heat. But when Akshaty spoke to the producer regarding the money details Rai was shocked to see Akshay demanding a percentage of the profit along with few other rights related to the film. This totaled up to nearly 45 crore. Given this the total budget of the film shot up to Rs 80 – 90 crore which the producer knew he would never recover. So Rai will not go ahead and make his dealilngs with Akshay and is now planning on making a film with Aamir Khan which will be a period film in English scripted by a Hollywood director

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Actor Akshay Kumar has topped the list of taxpayers as he paid the highest income tax in Bollywood of Rs 19 crore. Akshay has even surpassed Shah Rukh Khan who paid Rs 15 crore.
Actor Hrithik Roshan is so far third on the celebrity tax payer list, with a payment of Rs 8 crore and Aamir Khan comes fourth, having paid Rs 7 crore as income tax.
Akshay is referred to as the current Box Office king, following a series of hit films including Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Welcome and the most recent Singh Is Kinng.
Singh is Kinng had a record opening in India and overseas. The film was one of the highest grossers in 2008.
Meanwhile, audiences in India and abroad are looking forward to Akshay's forthcoming release Chandni Chowk To China opposite Deepika Padukone.