Director Sunil Darshan, who played a key role in reshaping Akshay Kumar’s career in the late 90s, has opened up about his professional journey with the superstar in a recent interview. The veteran filmmaker revealed lesser-known stories about Kumar’s struggling days, describing how the actor, who is now one of India’s highest-paid stars, was once struggling for consistent hits and promised to do “100 films” with him when offered a lifeline.
Sunil Darshan recalls Akshay’s flop phase
Speaking to an entertainment portal, Darshan said:
“When I first signed Akshay Kumar, he was going through a rough patch. He had given 14 flops in a row. I was told by people, ‘Why are you working with him?’ But I believed in him. He was a disciplined actor even then.”
Akshay Kumar starred in Darshan’s ‘Jaanwar’ (1999), a film that transformed his on-screen image from an action hero to an emotional, family-oriented protagonist. The film was a success and helped revive his sinking career at that stage.
‘He promised me 100 films’
Darshan shared that after the success of Jaanwar, Akshay promised him lifelong loyalty. He said:
“He told me ‘Sunil ji, I will do 100 films with you.’ That was his way of showing gratitude. I had offered him the film when nobody was ready to invest in him. He was a flop then. But I believed in his potential to bounce back.”
However, the director also hinted at strained ties later, adding:
“Promises in this industry don’t always last. But it’s okay. I have no bitterness, only memories.”
Akshay Kumar’s rise to superstardom
Akshay Kumar went on to become one of Bollywood’s most bankable actors with a career spanning over three decades. From action thrillers in the early 90s such as Khiladi (1992) to comedies like Hera Pheri (2000) and socially relevant films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Kumar has showcased his versatility across genres.
| Major Career Phases of Akshay Kumar |
|---|
| Early 90s: Action hero image with Khiladi series |
| Late 90s: Career slowdown, multiple flops |
| 1999-2000: Revival with Jaanwar, Hera Pheri |
| 2007-2012: Box office domination with comedies |
| 2013 onwards: Patriotic & socially conscious films |
Sunil Darshan and Akshay Kumar’s collaborations
Apart from Jaanwar, Darshan and Kumar worked together in several other films:
| Film | Year | Box Office Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jaanwar | 1999 | Career revival hit |
| Ek Rishtaa | 2001 | Family drama success |
| Talaash | 2003 | Average performance |
| Andaaz | 2003 | Hit, launched Priyanka Chopra |
| Dosti: Friends Forever | 2005 | Did not perform well |
These films contributed significantly to Akshay’s journey towards becoming a household name in India and among the global diaspora.
The strained ties
Industry insiders suggest that their relationship strained post Dosti: Friends Forever, which failed at the box office. Sunil Darshan reportedly felt let down by Kumar’s later choice of roles and production decisions, but he has refrained from direct criticism.
He said in the interview:
“He is a superstar today. He earned it. My job was to direct and present him well, which I did. I am proud that I could contribute to his growth.”
Fans react to Sunil Darshan’s comments
Akshay Kumar’s fans flooded social media with mixed reactions. While some thanked the director for giving Kumar a second chance when no one else did, others called it ungrateful to speak about past promises in public decades later.
A Twitter user wrote:
“Sunil Darshan gave Akshay one of his career-defining films. Respect to him.”
Another commented:
“Akshay paid back by working in multiple films with him. This feels like old bitterness surfacing again.”
Akshay Kumar’s recent professional updates
Akshay is currently working on multiple big projects including Welcome To The Jungle, Sarfira, and the Hindi remake of Soorarai Pottru. Despite recent box office failures, he remains among the top-billed actors commanding fees upwards of ₹100 crore per film, reflecting his enduring brand value.
Director Sunil Darshan’s current projects
After a period of silence, Sunil Darshan is reportedly planning a comeback with a web series based on a political thriller. Though he has not confirmed casting details, sources say he is keen to work with fresh faces and some veteran actors.
Bollywood’s promise culture: Words vs contracts
Darshan’s statement reopens the conversation around Bollywood’s unwritten culture of “loyalty promises” that rarely translate into binding commitments. Industry experts point out that verbal assurances, driven by emotion and situational gratitude, are seldom respected in an environment where market equations change rapidly.
Key lessons from Akshay Kumar-Sunil Darshan episode
| Lessons |
|---|
| Success in Bollywood depends on both talent and timing |
| Promises of lifelong collaborations are mostly symbolic |
| Directors play a crucial role in rebuilding actors’ careers |
| Professional ties often become strained when commercial outcomes falter |
Conclusion
Director Sunil Darshan’s candid reflections on Akshay Kumar’s struggling phase underline the film industry’s unpredictable nature. While Kumar went on to cement his legacy as one of India’s most successful stars, Darshan’s statements remind everyone of the actors, directors, and producers who remain the silent architects behind every star’s journey.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the director’s recent interviews, public statements, and archival data. Readers are advised to consider the views as individual perspectives, and follow official announcements for current and future projects of both Akshay Kumar and Sunil Darshan.
