Akshay Kumar, known for his jaw-dropping on-screen stunts, has revealed that his real inspiration comes not from Hollywood, but from an unexpected source: the slapstick antics of Tom & Jerry.
The Bollywood action icon recently opened up about how the cartoon’s exaggerated violence shaped his fearless approach to stunts—long before comparisons with Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise took off.
Childhood cartoons with edge: The origins of Kumar’s stunt formula
Akshay calls Tom & Jerry “brutal” ― and thinks that’s what makes it stand out.
He said:
“I love watching Tom and Jerry… it’s the most violent series… apparently for children, but actually… there’s so much action. It’s brutal.”
From cartoonish chases to explosive gags, these early viewing experiences fueled his imaginative, daredevil take on cinematic action. His knack for translating laugh‑then‑crash routines into real-life stunts started here.
Iconic scenes that translated from cartoons to Bollywood
Akshay shared stories of how a few key Tom & Jerry scenes became springboards for actual stunts in his films:
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Helicopter hammock – In the cartoon, Tom and Jerry swig wine in a hammock suspended from a helicopter. Akshay recreated it in Khatron Ke Khiladi.
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Plane rooftop – Inspired by Tom’s high-altitude plane antics, he scaled atop a plane roof in Khiladi 420.
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Helicopter grab – A gag where Tom grabs Jerry mid‑air prompted Akshay’s daredevil sequence in Sabse Bada Khiladi.
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He said he’s literally tried to shoot each of these outlandish ideas. Wild, yet oddly playful.
Tom Cruise… What comparison?
Recently, stunts from Akshay’s Khiladi 420 have resurfaced after Tom Cruise’s similar wing-walking moment in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Fans couldn’t help but notice.
Akshay said he admires Cruise’s fearlessness but reminded fans that his own stunts came much earlier. Before Hollywood’s mega-budgets, he was doing versions of these stunts with less tech and safety backup.
He’s proud: he may be drawing from animated chaos, but he did it in real life, on his own turf.
From cartoons to box office: What makes the stunt legacy hit home
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Tom & Jerry taught him creativity: zany setups that surprise audiences.
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He views scenes as short jokes in motion—buildup, crash, boom, laugh.
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By translating cartoon energy into stunts, he offers something uniquely Bollywood.
Fans on Reddit responded mildly:
“Akshay did it before it was cool, and definitely before Cruise!”
Some argue Cruise had deeper prep. Others defend Akshay as a hero who took risks without Hollywood budgets. One comment read:
“Akshay Kumar is the same man who… can do it if he wants to.”
He once even quipped he’d match Cruise if given budget—which, he noted, Cruise did with intense training and resources.
The bigger picture: A stunt legacy rooted in fun
Akshay has always balanced action with humour. His Khiladi series is filled with lighthearted, over-the-top sequences, and this cartoon-inspired ethos sits at the heart of that.
Officially dubbed “Indian Jackie Chan” for doing his own stunts, Akshay has earned a reputation for commitment and creativity.
He’s done:
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Plane‑top stunts at 1,000 ft.
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Automobile chases with real risk.
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Helicopter hang‑outs mid‑air.
All without relying on CGI or doubles—just guts and cartoon energy.
Bollywood has its own daredevil, and it turns out he owes much to childhood laughter and cartoon mayhem. The next time we see Akshay sprint atop a plane, we’re not just seeing an action hero—we’re watching 90s TV nostalgia in real time.
