Mumbai, Oct 29 (NationPress) Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors today, once shared insights into his modest beginnings and how an unforeseen chance transformed his entire life.

In a previous interview with Lehren TV, the ‘Airlift’ star disclosed that prior to stepping into the film industry, he was a martial arts instructor until a student encouraged him to explore modelling. Akshay reminisced that his inaugural modelling job netted him Rs. 3,500—almost equivalent to his monthly earnings from teaching. That pivotal moment ignited his passion for the entertainment world, ultimately guiding him to Bollywood, where “the rest is history.”

Reflecting on his path, Akshay mentioned, “I used to teach martial arts. One of my students approached me and suggested, ‘Sir, why don’t you pursue modelling? You have the height, body, and physique for it. Why not give it a shot?’ I was unaware of what modelling entailed. I asked him, ‘What do I need to do for that?’ He replied, ‘Just take a photograph and send it to me.’ So, I took a picture for the first time, posed, and submitted it. Within about 2-3 weeks, I received my first assignment.”

“In that assignment, I earned around Rs. 3,500. The job I did for an entire month only paid me Rs. 4,000. In just 2 hours of standing in a pose, I earned Rs. 3,000-Rs. 3,500. It felt strange, and then I became drawn to this field. That’s how I ventured into modelling for films. And the rest is history,” he elaborated.

Known widely as “Khiladi Kumar,” Akshay Kumar has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades. With a portfolio of more than 150 films, he has garnered numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards. In 2009, he received the prestigious Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for his remarkable contributions to cinema.