When Akshay Kumar stumbled upon a video featuring Chhaya Mohite, one of Mumbai’s first female auto rickshaw drivers, he became determined to meet her in person. Chhaya, who had made a name for herself by breaking gender barriers in the city, recently spoke about the unexpected encounter and how Akshay’s team spent weeks trying to track her down for an interview. According to Chhaya, it took the actor two months to gather her details after seeing the video.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Chhaya shared how Akshay’s team went to great lengths to locate her, visiting multiple RTOs with just her name and photograph. She recounted how Akshay’s assistant persistently called her every day for an interview without revealing that it was for the celebrity. At that time, Chhaya was accustomed to media attention, as reporters would often visit her home to film her daily routine as both a homemaker and a rickshaw driver.
Chhaya mentioned that some people suggested she start charging for interviews, but she was not interested in making money from the attention. Despite her husband’s reservations about her going for yet another interview, she decided to go ahead. After an entire day’s shoot, she was asked to drive to the Sun-n-Sand Hotel, where she received a surprise that left her speechless. “I stopped my rickshaw right there. Akshay Kumar was in my auto,” she said.
Chhaya fondly remembered the experience of giving Akshay a ride around Juhu, dropping him off at his house, and even meeting his mother and wife, who were heading out for shopping. She managed to get some pictures with the star during that time, which happened to coincide with the promotions for Padman. “Akshay told me that you can visit me any time that you want with your kids and your family,” she shared, though she added that she never got the chance to see him again. She also revealed that Akshay had extended financial help, gifting her Rs 10,000.
Akshay Kumar is busy shooting his upcoming comedy film Housefull 5. He is currently abroad with the cast and crew of the fifth instalment of the film. The first film of the Housefull series, directed by Sajid Khan, was released in 2010. Two years later, the film’s second instalment was released. In 2016, the film’s third part, directed by Sajid-Farhad, was released. Meanwhile, Housefull 4 was released back in 2019, leaving the fans waiting for the fifth film. The upcoming Housefull film, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, is slated to be released in June 2025.
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