Akshay Kumar looks like he is no mood to work with the directors who gave him hits in the last decade of this century. As per a report in Deccan Chronicle, Akshay Kumar has been avoiding taking work with directors like Suneel Darshan and Priyadarshan. While Suneel Darshan gave him a hit like Jaanwar, Priyadarshan was responsible for giving Akshay Kumar cult hits like Hera Pheri and Garam Masala. However, their last movies with the actor didn't enjoy the same success at the box office.

As per a report in the same report, Priyadarshan had offered a role in his upcoming ambitious movie, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (Marakkar: The Lion of the Arabian Sea), starring his favourite actor, Mohanlal. The movie is based on the life of the 16th-century warrior, Kunjali Marakkar, and is reportedly considered as one of the costliest films made in Malayalam Film Industry. However, Akshay Kumar had declined the role. Earlier, he had also refused to take on a film based on AIDS, that Priyadarshan had approached him to play the lead.

The publication quotes a close friend of the director saying, "If you notice he likes to work with new directors these days. He gave up doing a bunch of films with the same director long ago. Whether it’s Priyadarshan or Suneel Darshan, Akshay is done with the comfort of the familiar." Don't know how true this is since Akshay is working with Sajid Khan in Housefull 4, after having collaborated with him in Hey Babyy!, Housefull 1 and 2. Perhaps the reason why Akshay has refused a role in Marakkar is more because of the delays in the release of his debut South movie, 2.0.

Interestingly, Akshay Kumar was announced as the Best Actor winner for National Award 2017 for his performance in Rustom by a jury headed by Priyadarshan. Just saying!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2018 05:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).