During his holiday in USA, Akshay Kumar was left surprised when he heard about his kisses with Denise Richards and Kareena Kapoor making BIG news out there in India. While working in ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ he never felt that kisses would form an integral part of the film’s promotion. However, once media picked up the news, it was a point of no return as every news channel and entertainment forum was flooded with the exact count of kisses that he shares with his leading ladies in this Sabbir Khan directed film.

"Honestly, it was so much all of a sudden for me", confesses Akshay, "Here I was holidaying with Twinkle and I start getting calls around my kisses with Denise and Kareena. I was flabbergasted with people asking me details around why, where and how. Frankly speaking, all of it has been blown out of proportion."

Doesn’t feel think that all of this was not really required as a part of the film’s promotion, especially when there was so much else to be talked about the film?

"That’s my entire argument", says Akshay, "This is a film that takes us to Hollywood and the culture out there is to kiss and show. Moreover, my kisses with Denise are quite casual. It’s the culture thing in West where people do plant a peck on your cheek when they cross their path. It isn’t like we have indulged into any kind of passionate kissing. Is cheez ka film se koyi lena dena nahi hai (This has nothing to do with the film). ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ is a lot more than just the kisses."

How about his lip lock with Kareena?

"Yes, it is an integral part of the script and does make sense during the narrative. But again, that too is not passionate-passionate in true terms. These are small pecks", Akshay sets the record straight.

While Kareena hasn’t quite gone around the town detailing the ‘wow’ factor involved in her kisses with Akshay, Denise has openly appreciated Akshay as the best kisser she has come across.

"See, Denise comes from a different background and has Western sensibilities. She has a different mindset and one must appreciate that people from West are open about their feelings. However, hamaare yahan baat kuch aur hai. Hum log aise baat nahi kar sakte. Woh bhi theek hai and we should respect both the cultures", Akshay replies diplomatically.

How is Twinkle reacting to her hubby dear’s kisses?

"Well, she can’t stop laughing ever since the so-called ‘news’ break happened. She knew about the kisses and while as were reading about it in the newspapers, we were plain amused. So yes, it’s all cool with us", says Akshay while getting ready for his BIG Friday.

- SAMPURN (Joginder Tuteja)