Mumbai: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has raised questions over the way news is presented today, saying television channels are quick to highlight problems but rarely focus on how those problems can be solved. In a candid conversation, the actor suggested the idea of a dedicated ‘Solution Channel’ that would go beyond negative headlines and tell viewers what can actually be done.
Akshay said that switching on almost any news channel today means being confronted with one problem after another. What he feels is missing is a platform that looks beyond the crisis and gives people a sense of direction.
According to the actor, a news channel built around solutions could have a strong appeal among viewers because people do not just want to know what is going wrong—they also want to understand what can be done about it.
Now 59, Akshay Kumar is among the Bollywood stars who built a successful career without coming from a film family. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has worked across action, comedy, social dramas and historical films, creating a distinct audience for himself.
He Entered Films to Make Money, Then Fell in Love With Cinema
Looking back at his early years, Akshay Kumar openly admitted that making money was initially his main reason for entering the film industry. However, as his career progressed, his perspective towards acting and cinema gradually changed.
According to Akshay, working continuously in films created a desire within him to explore different characters and take risks as an actor. He began looking for opportunities to do something different. However, during his early years, he did not have the financial freedom to produce the kind of films he personally wanted to make.
As his financial position improved, he eventually started his own production company and began backing stories that interested him. He cited films such as ‘Special 26’, ‘Baby’, ‘Airlift’ and ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ as examples of projects that reflected his changing approach towards cinema.
By that stage, he said, earning money was no longer his only motivation. Making meaningful and different cinema had become equally important to him.
Akshay Credits These Filmmakers for Shaping His Career
Akshay Kumar also spoke about the directors and writers who played an important role in shaping his career. He mentioned filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi, with whom he worked on projects such as Samrat Prithviraj and Ram Setu.
When it came to comedy, Akshay particularly credited director Priyadarshan for giving him important opportunities in the genre.
He also acknowledged the contribution of filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi and late writer-director Neeraj Vora, whose work, he said, had a major influence on his journey.
Akshay further remembered films such as ‘Sangharsh’, directed by Tanuja Chandra, and ‘Jaanwar’, directed by Suniel Darshan. He considers these projects important turning points that helped him evolve as an actor and encouraged him to experiment with different kinds of roles.
‘It Is Important to Tell the Next Generation About History’
Speaking about films based on Indian history and culture, Akshay Kumar said that it is important for younger generations to understand the country's history and cultural heritage.
Referring to films such as ‘Samrat Prithviraj’ and ‘Ram Setu’, he said stories connected to India's past should reach the younger generation.
While discussing Ram Setu, Akshay said that he himself came across several facts and stories during the making of the film that surprised him.
However, when questioned about whether history had traditionally been taught from a particular perspective, Akshay chose to shift the discussion towards the future.
His point was that people could continue debating what happened in the past and why it happened, but the more important question now should be what can be done going forward.
Why Akshay Wants a ‘Solution Channel’
It was in this context that Akshay Kumar shared his thoughts on the current news media landscape.
He said that highlighting a problem is easy, but discussing how that problem can be solved is equally important.
Akshay suggested the idea of a dedicated ‘Solution Channel’ that would focus on possible answers rather than simply presenting one problem after another.
According to him, if a news platform could explain not only what is wrong but also offer practical solutions, it could become extremely popular with viewers.
The larger message behind his idea was simple: informing people about a problem is only one part of journalism; helping them understand possible ways forward can be just as valuable.
Why Akshay Does Not Want to Become a Director
Akshay Kumar also made it clear that he has no plans to become a film director.
He explained that directing a movie requires a tremendous amount of time and commitment. A filmmaker can spend several months or even a year and a half working on a single project, from preparation and shooting to post-production and release.
Akshay said his own working style is different. He prefers completing a film within a limited period and then moving on to his next project.
For this reason, he feels directing would not suit the way he wants to work.
What Does Happiness Mean to Akshay Kumar?
When asked about his definition of happiness and what brings him genuine joy in life, Akshay gave a simple and personal answer.
He said that he finds his greatest happiness at home. Despite living in Mumbai, he feels that he is able to stay close to nature.
For Akshay, spending time with his family is particularly valuable amid a busy professional life. He spoke about playing games with his daughter and enjoying those everyday moments together.
He believes that true happiness also comes from staying healthy and physically fit enough to run around and play with his daughter.
For the actor, success is therefore not simply about the number of films he makes or the money he earns. Being healthy, spending quality time with family and continuing to do work that he enjoys have become some of the most meaningful aspects of his life.