Akshay Kumar, born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, turned an early life of martial-arts training and odd jobs — including a stint as a chef in Bangkok — into one of Hindi cinema's most durable star careers. Breaking through with action thrillers in the early 1990s, he earned the nickname "Khiladi Kumar" after a string of hits built around that title. Over more than 150 films, he has reinvented himself repeatedly: daredevil action hero, slapstick comedian, and later the face of socially minded crowd-pleasers.

His discipline is legendary in the industry — famously early mornings, no late-night shoots, and several releases a year. Films like Airlift, Pad Man and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha paired box-office instincts with social themes, while OMG 2 and the Housefull franchise kept both his serious and comic sides busy. He received the Padma Shri in 2009 and a National Film Award for Rustom.

Filmography Highlights

• Khiladi (1992) — The thriller that launched his 'Khiladi Kumar' action persona
• Hera Pheri (2000) — Cult comedy that revealed his impeccable comic timing
• Dhadkan (2000) — Romantic drama showcasing a softer, dramatic side
• Namastey London (2007) — Crowd-pleasing romance opposite Katrina Kaif
• Special 26 (2013) — Slick heist drama based on a real 1987 con
• Airlift (2016) — Acclaimed drama about the 1990 Kuwait evacuation
• Rustom (2016) — Naval-officer courtroom drama that won him the National Award
• Pad Man (2018) — Social drama about a low-cost sanitary-pad pioneer

Image: Wikimedia Commons. Part of the Top 50 Bollywood Celebrities series. Ranking inspired by popular industry listings; profiles are original editorial content.