Akshay Kumar says he 'was made to feel like an outcast' during 'low phases' of his film career

Mumbai: He may have now become one of the most bankable actors in Hindi film industry, but during the initial days of his career in Bollywood Akshay Kumar said he was treated like an outsider.

The 50-year-old actor, who has given some major blockbusters such as Special 26, Baby, Airlift and Rustom in the past one decade, said an actor’s luxury on a film’s set depends on the number of hits and flops.

“Yes, I was made to feel (outcast). I remember while doing a two-hero film, my three-four films didn’t work, but his (the other hero) did. We were having an equal role but he gets a suite room and I get a single room. He gets an amazing car, but I get that ‘you come in the bus,’ yes it really happens,” Akshay said in a media interaction.

The actor said the moment his films started working, his equations with a lot of people in the industry changed.

“If my films work, I would get a bigger room. Sometimes from business class I was shifted to the first class when my films were running. When my films were doing exceptionally well I would get a private jet as well,” he added.

Akshay said in his “27-and-a-half-year long career” he has had low phases “three to four times” but failures did not bother him. “Never take lull or success seriously. They will come and go. It (the ups and downs) is bound to happen.”

The actor is now geared up for the release of his first film of the year, Padman, scheduled to hit the screens on 25 January. The film, directed by R Balki, chronicles the inspiring story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who created affordable sanitary pads.

On government’s decision to levy GST on sanitary pads, Akshay said they should be made free. “People ask me what do you feel about GST (on sanitary pads). I say, why should there be a GST? It should be free! There are countries which give it for free, there’s no GST on it. It’s an essential thing to make the women strong. I feel it should be free for women.”