"Shah Rukh and me have made it on our own" - Akshay Kumar

As Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi reaches mid-week, it is crystal clear that Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Raj Films have a big money spinner up their sleeves. With no questions being asked about the big opening that Ghajini is all set to take, industry is smiling again. Hat-trick of big bucks flowing in is pretty much on the anvil as Chandni Chowk To China is on it's way to create a hat-trick of box office winners once it releases on 16th January 2009. No wonder, there is a lot riding on each of these biggies.

Says Akshay Kumar, "Shah Rukh Khan and me are the only actors in the current times who have attained this level of success all on our own without any Godfather backing us. We came without any connections in Bollywood and still have managed to reach this stage by sheer hard work and determination."

He chooses to shrug away the 'who amongst the two is supreme' talk when the question was raised around his rap number in Chandni Chowk To China. In the song composed by Bohemia which would play during the film's end credit titles, there are a few lines that go as:

"Mera Ek Haath Ka Khel, Sara Bollywood Ek Mera Koi Nahi Mel,
Acting Karne Chale Vaise Hazaaron, Badsaah Ek Baaki Sare Fail"

Is this the superstar talking for himself? "But if you listen carefully, am I bringing in the 'superstar' angle at all? And there is a lot of other stuff which is being talked about in the song, especially the parts around me coming from the Chandni Chowk lanes and beating the odds to live life on my own terms. Where does he question around me reigning supremacy come in? In any case, a rap number belonging to such situation and genre is all about attitude and this is what is demonstrated in the entire song. Let's not make much ado about it", protests Akshay.

Well, we won't Akshay, though the message is loud and clear with lines like:

"Jaun Jahan Pe Mera Dil Mujhe Kheeche, Main Nayi Duniya Aaya,
Meri Duniya Chod Ke Peeche, Aur Jab Andaaz Koi Raaaz Na Aaya,
Maine Mere Anadaz Aap Banaya"

Any famous last words? Well there you go and decide for yourself!

"Dushman Kare Waar, Maine Maani Na Haar
Log Bole Mujhe Bollywood Star, Naam Mera Akshay Kumar