Akshay Kumar, a name synonymous with Bollywood for over three decades, has starred in more than 150 films across various genres. He is known for his action, comedy, and dramatic roles. Despite his extensive filmography and versatility, filmmaker Vipul Shah believes that Kumar's acting talent has often been overlooked.

Shah, who has directed Kumar in four films, including "Aankhen," "Waqt: The Race Against Time," "Namastey London," and "Action Replayy," shared his perspective on Kumar's career in a recent interview. He stated that, in his opinion, Akshay Kumar was never truly considered a great actor and wasn't taken seriously by people. He added that no one has ever truly taken the actor in Akshay Kumar seriously, including Akshay himself, who, he believes, remains oblivious to the full extent of his own range.

According to Shah, during their initial collaborations, he recognized Kumar's untapped potential. He felt that Kumar was being typecast as an action hero, and while he was transitioning into comedy, his talent was not fully appreciated. Shah noted Kumar's ability to seamlessly switch between genres, demonstrating a natural aptitude for both comedic and serious roles. He observed that Kumar approached scenes without any preconceived notions, effortlessly embodying the character's requirements.

Kumar's journey in Bollywood began in 1991 with "Saugandh". His first major success came with the action thriller "Khiladi" in 1992, which established him as an action star. The 1990s saw him in a string of action films, including the "Khiladi" series. While he gained recognition for his romantic role in "Yeh Dillagi" (1994), it was in the 2000s that he expanded his repertoire.

In the 2000s, Kumar showcased his comedic talent in films like "Hera Pheri," "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi," and "Garam Masala". He also took on dramatic roles in films like "Ek Rishtaa," "Aankhen," and "Waqt: The Race Against Time". In 2009, Kumar received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Rustom" (2016).

Despite his successes, Kumar has also faced setbacks. Several of his films in the 1990s did not perform well at the box office. In recent years, with the exception of "OMG 2" (2023), many of his films have not been commercially successful.

Vipul Shah acknowledged Kumar's recent career trajectory, drawing a parallel to Sachin Tendulkar's lean phases in cricket. He expressed confidence in Kumar's ability to bounce back, emphasizing his understanding of the industry and his innate talent. Shah said that he believes that for an actor who has worked in 150-odd films, he understands the industry better than most people and he is sure he's also concerned about his (recent track record).

Despite not having worked together for a while, Shah maintains a positive relationship with Kumar and is open to future collaborations. He explained that their collaboration became so natural that he started writing characters keeping Kumar's style in mind, and he felt the need to explore working with other actors.