Superstar Rajinikanth and director Shankar said many a times that, Akshay Kumar is the real hero of 2.0, sequel to Robot. Many felt the duo made the statement to lure Bollywood audience. But, after watching the film, everybody admitted the fact that, Akshay Kumar who played the role of Pakshi Raja is the real hero of the film.
It is not simply another antagonist role. Akshay’s role has many shades. He scared as bird man with his villainy acts and he then as Pakshi Raja, an old ornithologist, made everyone emotional with his desperate attempts to fight against government and network providers.
Do you know, Shankar took inspiration from real life birdman Salim Ali to design Pakshi Raja character? The costumes and spectacles that Akshay Kumar wore and the grown mustaches and beard he sported replicated Salim Ali’s style as a simple man.
Coming to Salim Ali, he is one of the greatest ornithologists and naturalists of all time known as the birdman of India. He penned many journals on birds. He was one of the very first scientists to carry out systematic bird surveys in India and abroad. His research work is considered highly influential in the development of ornithology.
Salim not only researched about birds, but also contributed to the arena of protection of nature. For his extraordinary efforts, he was given an international award of Rs 5 lacs, but he donated all the money to Bombay Natural History Society. The Government of India honored him with a Padma Bhushan in 1958 and then Padma Vibushan in 1976. This genius man died at the age of 90 on June 20, 1987 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
We must appreciate director Shankar for remembering such great personality with his epic film 2.0.