Akshay Kumar received the Olympic Torch from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Trident-Oberoi in Mumbai, as part of Mr Harper‘s visit to India. As reported earlier this week on Bollyspice, Akshay, a martial arts expert, has been invited to be India’s representative at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. “Anything remotely related to sports in India is reminiscent of Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, he has taken Asia by storm and has universal appeal,” said a source for the event.
It’s a busy week for Akshay as work begins today on Patiala House, his new film with Anushka Sharma. The producers are taking an unusual approach to casting a young Akshay for some of the earlier scenes of the movie – they are going to run a national competition to find a suitable 17-year-old. “The film’s team was tired of auditioning and watching show reels,” a source for the production said, “None of the boys fulfilled the requirements. So, Akshay suggested that they conduct a nation-wide hunt. The participants essentially have to match Akshay’s height and body language.”
Akshay has also signed up for Farah Khan’s next Tees Maar Khan, her third directorial venture. The script has been written by Farah’s husband Shirish Kunder and will begin filming in March. “I wrote this film with Akshay in mind,” explained Shirish, “My first film Jaaneman was with him and we share a good rapport. Initially, I was supposed to direct Tees Maar Khan but since it’s our first home production, Farah and I decided that I’ll produce it and she’ll direct it.”
