Exclusive: It's illegal for Akshay to be 50, jokes Airlift maker Raja Krishna Menon

Raja Krishna Menon always makes sure that in each of the films he offers something different for his viewers. While the filmmaker’s movie Airlift made his career soar, he says he would collaborate with Akshay Kumar once again only if he has something better than the hit to offer.

“I would love to work with Akshay again,” he says. “In fact, I recently met him, and it’s always a pleasure to see him. He’s been positive. We made a film that will stand the test of time. He too thinks that Airlift is one of his best films. When we collaborate again, it should be as good as that. We can’t mess that up.”

He went on to heap praises on Akki. “He’s still a stunner. It’s illegal for him to be 50,” laughs Raja.

“It’s unbelievable; like a dream. I think the movie released on January 22, 2016, and on January 25, my life changed completely in the industry. It functions differently. We were lucky that Airlift made money, and it was also critically acclaimed. I think that’s a rare combination that opens doors, and it’s not going to happen everyday,” he added.

The director is now gearing up for the release of his next, Chef, starring Saif Ali Khan. “Saif has a vulnerability that’s visible. It’s normally not associated with stardom. Every human being comes with baggage, and it’s the director’s job to strip that down. The question is if the actor will allow it. Saif does. We connected very early, philosophically. Saif allowed me to break the baggage. He hasn’t had a great run, so the pressure is tremendous,” he says.