“Failures hurt, but don’t define you”: Akshay Kumar’s old statement resurfaces as Housefull 5 records a lukewarm opening

Akshay Kumar’s latest release, Housefull 5, may have been a much-hyped addition to the comedy franchise, but the film failed to strike gold at the box office. Opening to around ₹23 crore on Day 1, it marked one of the lowest starts in the actor’s career, falling short of expectations despite an ensemble cast and festive timing.The underwhelming start of Housefull 5 has now brought back attention to a past interview where Akshay candidly spoke about dealing with failures in the industry. Speaking to Forbes India, the actor had said, “It is heart-breaking to see any film fail. But you have to learn to see the silver lining. Every failure teaches you the value of success and increases the hunger for it even further.”

Akshay, known for his prolific output and tight discipline, added, “Of course, it hurts and impacts you, but that won’t change the fate of the film.

What is in your control is to work harder, make amends and give your all to your next film.”Housefull 5 brought together a strong cast including Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan, with a marketing hook of dual endings to boost buzz. However, mixed reviews and audience fatigue around franchise comedies may have played spoilsport. Even advance bookings were reportedly below average for an Akshay-starrer.Despite the initial stumble, the film crossed ₹50 crore over its opening weekend, benefitting from the Eid holiday bump.

Still, compared to the massive openers Akshay has delivered in the past, the numbers felt underwhelming.Yet, as fans and critics debate the film’s fate, Akshay’s words remind us why he remains a pillar of consistency in Bollywood. “My biggest strength has been my discipline and work ethic,” he had said. “The love from my fans and the passion to keep working is what keeps me going.”One flop doesn’t define a star—and if history is anything to go by, Akshay Kumar is already prepping for his next shot at redemption.