'Hope craze for hockey rises after Gold'

Mumbai: Akshay Kumar said he hopes hockey catches Indian youth's fancy after the release of his upcoming film Gold.

Besides, Gold, Diljit Dosanjh's next Soorma is also set against the backdrop of hockey.

"Youngsters want to see different kind of sports. Today other than cricket, football, kabaddi are also coming up. I hope this film gives hockey that status, hope with this film the craze for hockey increases, also people will come to know about the history of hockey, when we got our first gold medal," said Akshay.

"In reality, today things are changing and hockey is getting a lot of support from the government," he added.

The film, directed by Reema Kagti, is based on true events about India winning its first Olympic gold medal in hockey as a free nation in 1948.

Akshay said Gold is "not a hockey film, it is a sports film" and it showed how the whole country united and how the game became big.

The film is clashing with John Abraham's Satyamev Jayate on August 15 and Akshay believes two films can release on the same day.

"He (John) is my friend. In the film industry, we all are friends. Anyone can come on any date or even come together on the same date. I hope both the films do well at the box office," he said.

When asked why Gold should be the first choice for the audience to watch in the theatres, Akshay said, "I am nobody to tell anyone what their first choice should be."