From dark suspense to cultural pride, Akshay Kumar explores new dimensions in ‘The Revenge Club’, his most ambitious series to date.
When Akshay Kumar was cast as Rohan Jogia in ‘The Revenge Club’, he knew he’d be stepping into the chaotic mindset of a man whose public persona was far from his real self. A local celebrity turned wellness influencer, Rohan – also known online as “Baba Om” – is all curated serenity and soft-lit mantras. But beneath that polished surface lies a storm waiting to break.
“Rohan is the kind of big brother who actively invades Tej’s space just to wind him up,” he says, laughing. “I had to get into that influencer headspace, and as someone terrible with social media, that was a challenge. I watched so many self-help clips to copy their rhythms of speech – I did my best to emulate them.”
‘The Revenge Club’, based on J.D. Pennington’s novel ‘The Othello Club’, is a tightly woven thriller set to premiere on Paramount Plus, and sees Kumar star alongside Martin Compston and Aimée-Ffion Edwards. Though his role was brief, he admits it left a deep impact. “Even after 16 years of acting, I always want to learn. Watching pros like them handle heavy material while keeping the mood on set light – that’s something I admire more than anything.”
From fantasy and sci-fi to emotionally charged horror, Kumar’s career has travelled through many worlds: ‘Homeland’, ‘Pandora’, ‘Virdee’, and even ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. But it was in ‘Double Blind’, an intense psychological thriller, where he experienced his most demanding transformation yet. “My character Amir goes from aspiring medic to raging killer. That switch, that first murder scene – it was wild. I had to turn off every filter in my brain and dive into a feral headspace. After the first take, I just burst out laughing – it was a weird release.”
He credits director Ian Hunt Duffy for keeping the cast in sync, even during the film’s more surreal sequences. “Ian created a shorthand with us, to track how sleep-deprived we were meant to be. It helped with the physicality, the sweatiness – it really worked.”
Despite his on-screen intensity, off set Akshay is as grounded as they come. “I don’t have rituals. Each role is different, so I stay flexible. The most important thing? Eat well, sleep well, know your lines – and check in with your scene partner. They’re more important than you are.”
Fashion is another facet of his artistic expression – and his love for experimentation began early. “I’ve always played with styles, to the horror of my family. Right now, I love that 90s fashion is back – baggy trousers, trench coats, penny loafers. And I live in Uniqlo.”
With upcoming projects like ‘Dragon Striker’ for Disney – where he voices Key Nagatatsu, a young boy navigating a world where football meets magic – Kumar is clearly entering a new creative chapter. “I haven’t been this excited about a project in a long time. It’s got everything I love – magic, sports, heart. It’s going to be something really special.”
And when asked about what’s next, he doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve always wanted to be a romantic lead. That’s where I see myself going next. But honestly, I just want to keep challenging myself. Wear more hats than I thought I could.” Still, he doesn’t let career ambition blind him to the bigger picture. “I’d tell my younger self this: make sure life outside of work is full of love and joy. You’re not defined by your job title. That perspective matters more than anything.”
It’s this kind of grounded wisdom – a mix of introspection, humour and humility – that defines Akshay Kumar. Whether stepping into a Disney fantasy, delivering psychological tension, or exploring the next chapter of his acting journey, he does it all with curiosity, care, and the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly who he is.
The Revenge Club comes to Paramount Plus on the 12th December.
-380x380.webp)
