Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar

Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar is a seven-part television mini-series that aired on the National Geographic Channel in 2004. It was hosted by Akshay Kumar.[1][2][3] Kumar donated his time and talents to the show.,[4]

Description

The series showcases the seven martial arts of kalaripayattu, Shaolin Kung Fu, karate, taekwondo, aikido, Muay Thai, capoeira and .[5][6] Kumar, who began learning martial arts at age 9,[4] played the master for taekwondo, karate, and Muay Thai, and played the student of the other forms of martial arts from different trainers.[7] The series' tagline was "The first thing you learn to kill is your ego".[8][9] Kumar shared his personal beliefs about martial arts and talked about the benefits it brought to him.[10]

Broadcast

National Geographic Channel announced the series' launch on 27 April 2004.[11] The first part was aired on Sunday, 9 May 2004 at 8:00 p.m. The rest of the parts were aired on the following Sundays.[12] Before the series was launched, National Geographic Channel had planned to broadcast the series' second part in October–November 2004.[13]

Cast
  • Akshay Kumar
  • Kaniska Sharma
  • Josette D. Normandeau
  • Mehul Vora
  • Puran Chauhan
  • Luisa Elvira
  • Jean Frenette

Production

Kumar and his personal trainer, Mehul Vora, wrote the script.[14] Vora also choreographed the mini-series.[15] The series was shot in Manali, Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai in a span of 40 days. The series marked Kumar's television debut.[16][17]

During the series,Kanishka Sharma taught Shaolin Kung fu to Kumar.[18]Sifu Kaniska Sharma is the first Indian to be trained in Shaolin Temple Secular Discipline Union in China.[19] Yogesh Sahu directed the series. Puran Chauhan also trained Kumar. After the series, Chauhan worked as a stunt director in several Hindi films.[20]

Sponsors

Samsung, Bajaj, and Nokia were the chief sponsors.[21] Leo Burnett Agency was responsible for the series' advertising.[13]

References
  1. "Akshay Kumar: lesser known facts (Slide 3)". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  2. Cine Blitz. 30. Virginia: Blitz Publications. 2004. p. 127.
  3. Business Today. 17. Living Media India Limited. 2008. p. 99.
  4. Fernandes, Vivek (26 April 2004). "Akshay Kumar: Winning hearts with martial arts!". Rediff.com. Mumbai. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  5. Sahota, Baldev (3 November 2011). "Akshay Kumar's Karate-do a Hit". Desi Blitz. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  6. "A Khiladi and his kicks". The South Asian. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  7. Iyer, Meena (3 August 2009). "Step into the ring with Akshay!". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  8. Raheja, Dinesh (7 June 2004). "When A Star Shoots The Moon". Outlook. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  9. Outlook. 44. India: Hathway Investments Pvt Limited. 2004. p. 44.
  10. Bhayani, Viral (15 May 2004). "Akshay Kumar spills secrets of marshal arts". India New England News. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  11. Singh, Ashish (27 April 2004). "National Geographic Channel to launch martial arts series with Akshay Kumar". Exchange4Media. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  12. "Seven deadly arts with Akshay Kumar!". Sify. 26 April 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  13. "Nat Geo savours local flavour". Mumbai: Indiantelevision.com. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  14. Chakravorty, Sohini (24 March 2012). "The art of defence". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  15. Irani, Mahafreed. "The New Fight Club". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  16. Gupta, Parul (27 April 2004). "Akshay makes deadly debut on TV". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  17. "A martial affair". The Tribune. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  18. Banerjee, Soumyadipta (31 March 2010). "'Gong-fu' with Kanishka Sharma". Daily News and Analysis. Mumbai: Diligent Media Corporation. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  19. Shetty, Shakti (8 September 2013). "Meet the man who teaches Bollywood stars how to fight!". Mid Day. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  20. Dubey, Sanjay (14 July 2007). "The Practice of Perfection". Tehelka. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  21. Chakraborty, Alokananda (27 April 2004). "National Geographic banks on Akshay Kumar to up viewership". afaqs!. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
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