Not scared of stepping into character roles: Akshay Kumar

After moving away from solo-hero projects and tasting success with off-beat movies like 'Oh My God' and 'Special Chhabis', actor Akshay Kumar says that he would not shy away from doing character roles. "I will keep doing these ('Special 26') kind of films even if it's a character role. I am not scared of going towards character actor zone. Just because I am a hero does not mean I should not attempt something different, a new kind of a role. I think I am at a stage where I can run towards it and do something else," Akshay said in a group interview here. "Tomorrow if someone offers me a complete villainous role I would love to do it. Villain is the most powerful man... I admire villains... For example, for 16 scenes, the villain is only beating up people... Only in one scene either he gets beaten up or runs away," he said. Ask him if his image as an actor would be affected, Akshay says, "No its nothing of that sort. It's a film after all. I have done three films where I have played villain and people still love me." Akshay has successfully cemented his position in the 100 crore club but with Neeraj Pandey's film 'Special 26' he has achieved critical acclaim as well. The film that hit cinema houses on February 8 has reportedly earned Rs 25 crore at the BO in its first weekend. "For me, both is important... A film running for weeks and the box office collection. Reviews, rewards and awards are important. If you get it all in one film then it's a great deal. It means you have signed the right film and it means you have satisfied the audience... But that comes once in a blue moon," Akshay said. (MORE)