16 June,2026 01:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Akshay Kumar and Farah Khan (Picture via X)
Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently shared a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote about working with actor Akshay Kumar on the 2010 film Tees Maar Khan. During a conversation on her YouTube channel, Farah recalled how Akshay's daily commute to the film's set significantly increased the production's expenses.
Speaking about the shoot, Farah revealed that the filming location was situated nearly two hours away from Mumbai. While most cast and crew members travelled by road, Akshay opted for a much quicker mode of transportation. According to Farah, the actor chose to fly to the set every day in a helicopter, a decision that left a noticeable dent in the film's budget.
Recalling the experience with her trademark wit, Farah joked that Akshay "ate all my money" because of the helicopter expenses. She explained that the actor would arrive on set by air each morning and return the same way after wrapping up work for the day. Although she made the comment in jest, Farah suggested that the daily helicopter rides became a significant production cost during the making of the film.
Despite the extra expenditure, Farah spoke warmly about her long-standing association with Akshay. The filmmaker has collaborated with him on multiple projects over the years and often praises his professionalism, punctuality and commitment to work. Akshay, who is known for maintaining a disciplined schedule and balancing several film projects simultaneously, has built a reputation as one of Bollywood's most efficient actors.
Tees Maar Khan, directed by Farah Khan and produced by Shirish Kunder and Twinkle Khanna, featured Akshay Kumar in the lead role alongside Katrina Kaif. Although the film received mixed reviews upon release, it gained considerable attention for its music and dance numbers. The song Sheila Ki Jawani, featuring Katrina Kaif, became one of the biggest chartbusters of the year and remains popular even today.
Farah's anecdote offered fans a glimpse into the logistical challenges and amusing moments that often unfold behind the scenes of major film productions. Her light-hearted recollection highlighted the camaraderie she shares with Akshay and added another entertaining story to the long list of memories from the making of Tees Maar Khan.
The filmmaker's revelation quickly caught the attention of fans online, many of whom enjoyed the playful banter and Farah's candid storytelling style. The story also served as a reminder of the scale and extravagance that can sometimes accompany big-budget Bollywood productions.