Bollywood News - Akshay Kumar's year of Good Newwz

Aden - Yasmine El Tohamy - Akshay Kumar has some Good Newwz for fans, and himself, this festive season. He says that his upcoming movie, that's releasing in the UAE on Thursday, is packed with fun, something that everyone will enjoy watching.  

"It's a mix of comedy, romance and drama in a way that everyone will enjoy, especially during Christmas and New Year, a time when the focus is on family and loved ones," explained the actor about the theme of Good Newwz, which also stars Kareena Kapoor, Diljit Dos-anjh and Kiara Advani. 

There's Good Newwz for Akshay too. A couple of days back, he was honoured with a National Award for Best Film on Social Issues for Pad Man, a movie he made on the concept of menstrual hygiene in the country. 

With just over a week left for the year to end, Akshay must surely be pleased with the way 2019 has turned out for him. With three back-to-back hits - Kesari, Housefull 4 and Mission Mangal, and with Good Newwz hitting the screens, the actor couldn't have been happier. He can easily look ahead at a bright and prosperous new year, and beyond. "I'm blessed to have some very interesting projects lined up for the next couple of years," informed Akshay.

Good Newwz has all the ingredients for a fun watch, says the actor. It's got wit, entertainment and a great story. And like some of his earlier movies, this time too he tackles a sensitive subject - In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). The story revolves around two married couples (Akshay and Kareena; Diljit and Kiara) who are trying to conceive through IVF but a major mix up results in a hilarious turn of events. In an interview ahead of the movie's release, Akshay talks about the importance of Good Newwz, working with younger actors and his upcoming projects. Excerpts from the interview: 

What attracted you to Good Newwz?
Good Newwz is such a well-rounded balance of comedy, romance and drama, a mix that I think everyone loves to enjoy especially around Christmas and New Year, when the focus is on family and loved ones. Whilst the film has wit and a comedy-of-errors-esque narrative, it also has a lot of soul and heart which is what I loved about the film. Yes, IVF is the backdrop to the film and yes, there is a big goof-up, but essentially what will attract fans is how the film speaks of the importance of bringing a child into the world, whether through adoption, IVF, natural birth or surrogacy.

The movie has a quirky take on the subject of IVF, which for many couples can be a very sensitive issue. Is there a message for viewers  in the film or is it a pure entertainer?
Good Newwz is unlike anything I have done. It has wit, entertainment and an exceptional story. Out of all my film releases this year, the message that Good Newwz is presenting is refreshingly different. IVF is a path-breaking technology and the treatment has enabled over 8 million couples across the world to start families. 

We want to show a journey of two families undergoing IVF treatment through a comedic lens to make the film have more mass appeal. 

Millions of couples are just so lucky in this day and age but we have such options available to us to help us to experience one of the most joyous, miraculous and blessed moments of our lives.

You've worked with Kareena Kapoor before. In Good Newwz she seems to be at her comic best - that's the impression we get from the trailer!
Apart from our hit songs in Gabbar is Back and Rowdy Rathore, Kambakht Ishq was the last feature film Kareena and I did, almost a decade ago. So reuniting on-screen after the birth of our children, Nitara and Taimur, has been rather nostalgic and very homely to say the least. 

Our long-standing family camaraderie transcends on to the screen and both of us know that our fans enjoy watching us tease each other and create magic on the big screen. 

Shooting with Kareena is always a pleasure, she is a true diva. She's enigmatic even when she goofs up. I am in awe of how she can alternate from being a mother, a friend to a cinematic star with just the word 'action'!  We couldn't think of a more perfect project than Good Newwz to recreate our chemistry for the world to watch, with a tissue and a box of popcorn in hand. 

And what is it like working with the newer blood of the industry like Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh?
What can I say, Diljit is very shy, but roll the camera and his talent comes alive. He is very sincere about his work and his comic timing is impeccable in this film. As for our upcoming superstar Kiara, who started her career with my production Fugly, she has worked hard all the way to the top now. I'm so proud of her growth and her discipline on the sets. 

The character she has portrayed in this film is just adorable. There couldn't have been a better Dream Team than the Good Newwz cast!

You've had some great releases this year like Kesari, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, and you are also working on Sooryavanshi. They are all different genres. What do you look for before deciding on doing a film? Is there a checklist you follow?
My choice of films depend on the script and the overall narrative. I love variety in my roles and that's why working in different genres helps me explore my strengths and it also helps me push my boundaries. 

You have a couple of exciting movies in the works for next year like Laxmmi Bomb, Bell Bottom and Bachchan Pandey. We've also heard rumours of a sequel to Rowdy Rathore and Hera Pheri 3, can you tell us more about those projects?
I am blessed to have some very interesting projects lined up for the next couple of years. I'm working in Prithviraj, Laxmmi Bomb, Bell Bottom and Bachchan Pandey. But before these movies there is Sooryavanshi coming up in March, wherein I enter Rohit Shetty's universe. As for the sequels to Rowdy Rathore and Hera Pheri 3, let us wait to hear from the respective production houses.

Is there any kind of movie or role that you haven't done yet but would love to?
Throughout my career, I have been lucky to have been offered some amazing roles. I love acting and therefore if a script is good I don't mind if the director is a debutant or an experienced one, I trust the director's instincts. I have dabbled in many genres and I wish to continue to play diverse characters. This enables me to cater to a wider audience.  I always wanted to play a historical figure and now with Prithviraj, I see that dream coming true.

(With inputs from Michael Gomes)