At the India Today Conclave 2026, Akshay Kumar demonstrated how his late father-in-law, Rajesh Khanna, continues to impact his life. During the “Breakthroughs and Breakdowns” session, Akshay Kumar shared that he gained essential knowledge through his interactions with Khanna, which showed him the unpredictable nature of fame.
The most important lesson for Akshay Kumar came from understanding that success brings various difficulties people face after they finish climbing their initial peak. Rajesh Khanna, who became India’s first superstar, would share his own career mistakes with Akshay to show him how the film industry experiences its different highs and lows.
Through his studies, Akshay Kumar learned that people should handle their downward trajectory with dignity. He explained that Khanna’s ascent to fame and his quick descent into obscurity, which led him to lose his attachment to both successful and unsuccessful projects, made him realise he should not become overly invested in either outcome.
Akshay Kumar stated that actors in the film industry need to strike a balance between luck and hard work. He believed that luck determines success in the industry, while hard work remains vital but less critical. Khanna’s life experiences shaped this viewpoint because he found that the most promising projects failed, while those with no potential succeeded.
Akshay Kumar described how he first became a fan of Rajesh Khanna during his childhood, when he visited the actor’s Aashirwad bungalow to try to catch a glimpse of him. Khanna’s son-in-law relationship brought him into the family years later, and this connection brought him valuable lessons which he would apply throughout his career.
