My future is in Milan Luthria`s hands: Akshay Kumar

Mumbai: Akshay Kumar, who has taken over `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai` from Emraan Hashmi and Ajay Devgn in the sequel, says he is completely relying on director Milan Luthria for the movie, which will see him in a role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. The actor is gearing up for another busy year this time with four releases -- `Housefull 2`, `Rowdy Rathore`, `Joker` and `OUATIM 2`. `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai` was a hit thanks to the chemistry between Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi and Akshay hopes to replicate the film`s box office performance in the sequel too. "I have to live up to the hype, the brand name, the sequel and the fact that the story has to be even more interesting than the already brilliant story that has been told in 2010," Akshay told reporters. "I am extremely excited about this film and I know for a fact that Milan Luthria will do a fantastic job. A great director that he is, what can I say but the fact that my future is in his hands now," the actor added. The 44-year-old will be seen in action mode again with Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s production `Rowdy Rathore`, which will see him wearing a moustache after a long time. The film is directed by choreographer-turned-filmmaker Prabhu Deva. "I am thrilled with the response `Rowdy Rathore` is getting. From the poster to the script, the songs, choreography and raw action, this is a bundle of rowdiness. Prabhu Deva is a name in his own right," said the actor about the `Wanted` director. His other two outings `Housefull 2` and `Joker` will see Akshay returning to the now familiar territory of comedy. First to arrive would be `Housefull 2`, directed by Sajid Khan. "I feel this is a huge film; now how big is something that I will never know. However it is a full house of humour/action/slapstick/bromance and so much more. There is nothing missing in this film and there are so many great actors in it that there is something for everyone." Meanwhile, Akshay has also almost finished `Joker` which is his second outing with Shirish Kunder after `Jaan-e-mann`. "In many ways he has grown and so have I since `Jaan-e-mann`. I have grown as an actor as well as a producer while Shirish has become more confident and capable about what he wants. He has studied a lot in many aspects of cinema, something that was really required especially for a film like `Joker`," says Akshay. PTI