Akshay Kumar on Kesari, Battle of Saragarhi and Action Career Plans

In a March 20, 2019 interview with Rediff.com, Akshay Kumar discussed his film Kesari, which focuses on the historic Battle of Saragarhi where 21 Sikh soldiers fought against 10,000 Afghan invaders in 1897. The film, directed by Anurag Singh and starring Parineeti Chopra in a cameo, was shot in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh due to its high altitude terrain that matched the original 1897 location. Kumar revealed the physical challenges of the shoot, including wearing a 1-kilogram turban and carrying a 6-7 kilogram sword, while noting the original swords weighed 25-26 kg. He expressed his emotional connection to the role of Havildar Ishar Singh, as his father served in the army. Kumar, then 51, stated he could continue doing action films until age 56, after which he would consider other roles. The interview touched on his career reinvention, noting his breakthrough with Hera Pheri in 2000 after being typecast in action roles early in his career.