Akshay Kumar still remembers the day he won his first National Award. It was a moment of pride, but also a bit awkward. At the 65th National Film Awards ceremony, Akshay sat next to a young actress who had also won an award. He asked her how many films she had made. She replied, “Sir, this is my first film.” Akshay was taken aback. He had made 135 films before winning the Best Actor award for “Rustom.”
A humbling experience
The actress’s response left Akshay feeling embarrassed. He had worked hard for years, and it was surprising to see someone achieve the same recognition with just one film. Akshay shared this story in an interview, recalling the mix of emotions he felt that day.
Akshay has won two National Awards in his career. He won Best Actor for “Rustom” in 2017 and the award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for “Padman” in 2019. Despite his achievements, the memory of being outdone by a newcomer has stayed with him.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of success in the film industry. Sometimes, talent is recognized early, and other times, it takes years of hard work. Akshay’s story is a reminder that success can come at any time, and it’s not always about the number of films you’ve made.