Akshay wants to get back into 'action' mode

Mumbai: After starring in a number of Bollywood comedies, Akshay Kumar now wants to return to his action hero image.

With films like 'Dabangg', 'Bodyguard', 'Singham' and 'Force' making hay at the box office, Akshay too wants to jump into the action bandwagon.

"One of the reasons for me to do action films is spurt of these movies. Another reason is lot of time has passed and I have not done any action film. I did not do action films because my son was small..now he is a 10-year-old. I am ready to get into it for another four-five years of action," Akshay told PTI in an interview.

"I am 45-year-old and in another five years I won't be able to do action so I want to play the last action innings," he said.

Back in the 1990s when Akshay began his acting career, he starred in action films but took a break later on to star in comedy, romance and drama.

His feature films like 'Khiladi' (1992), 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' (1993), 'Sabse Bada Khiladi' (1995), 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' (1996), 'Mr and Mrs Khiladi' (1997), 'International Khiladi' (1999), 'Khiladi 420' (2000), earned him the nick name 'Khiladi'.

Now almost after a decade, the Khiladi is back in the same zone, with his upcoming film 'Khiladi 786', an action comedy starring Akshay, Paresh Rawal and Himesh Reshammiya.

"Its been 12 years I haven't done that kind of a film. The role that I got, suits me..I think it was written for me. I am happy to be doing action films again," Akshay said.

The film is slated to release in Diwali 2012. "There were lot of rumours that I am doing a cameo role, I have taken Rs 20 crore cheque for this film. But my own home production is making it so how can I charge so much money. I am playing the title role. Its an action-comedy film, I loved the subject and Himesh is a part of it," the actor said.

His next action film is Prabhu Deva directed 'Rowdy Rathore' starring Sonakshi Sinha and will hit the theatres in June 2012.

He would also be seen in the sequel of Milan Luthria's crime drama film 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai', which would release in August 2012. The film will star Akshay in the lead. Reportedly, the film will focus on rivalry of Chota Rajan and Dawood Ibrahim.

"When I started with comedy lot of people told me I am doing good comedy. I got carried away and started doing it. I realised that I should have done few action films. To get back to action films I signed films like 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai', 'Rowdy Rathore'," Akshay said.

He is also keen on doing negative characters. The last time he did was for Abbas-Mustan's suspense thriller film, 'Ajnabee' (2001).

"Also, I want to do negative roles.. I do not believe that after doing negative roles your fan following comes down," he said.

"In 'Dhoom' series John and Hrithik had negative roles...girls liked them and the fan following doubled," he quipped.