Akshay Kumar has long been vocal about the importance of discipline and his reputation reflects it. Known as one of the most productive actors in the industry, he is famously the first to arrive on set and the first to leave - not to attend parties, but to ensure he’s in bed on time. And according to Tabu, his routine hasn’t changed in nearly three decades.
Tabu and Akshay Kumar first shared the screen as romantic leads in the 1996 film ‘Tu Chor Main Sipahi’. Despite the film’s success, the duo was never paired together again. Although they later appeared in the 2000 classic ‘Hera Pheri’, she did not play his love interest. Now, 25 years later, filmmaker Priyadarshan has reunited them for his upcoming horror film ‘Bhoot Bangla’.
Reflecting on working with Akshay after so many years, Tabu said, “His humour and energy are the same.”
She went on to praise his unwavering discipline: “He still wakes up at 4 am, finishes early and heads home, which is a very good thing for the rest of us. He always says, ‘Jaldi sona chahiye’ and reminds everyone that he doesn’t go to parties. That part of him hasn’t changed at all. Of course, we have all grown up now, but the essence of who he is - that’s still the same.”
Tabu also spoke about reuniting with Priyadarshan after ‘Hera Pheri’. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I hadn’t worked with Akshay after ‘Hera Pheri’ and we hadn’t even met socially very often over the years. I had stayed in touch with Priyan, so I knew he would be exactly the same person.”
She added that Priyan remains an impatient, one-take director who is vocal about every emotion he feels.