# Avinash Wadhawan recalls sharing bikes with Akshay Kumar before stardom

2026-08-06T18:05:47+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Actor Avinash Wadhawan said he and Akshay Kumar shared motorcycles to save petrol during their early struggling years in Mumbai. Speaking on the Hindi Rush podcast, Wadhawan recalled that they lived in Lokhandwala and borrowed each other’s jackets for photo shoots. He said Kumar, then known as Rajiv Bhatia, was disciplined about fitness and punctuality even before entering Bollywood. Wadhawan recalled Kumar waking at 5 am, training at Versova’s Nana Nani Park and jogging in Ooty at 6 am before a 9 am shoot. He said the two joined dance classes and Kumar had black belts in martial arts. Wadhawan added that they have not spoken in years, apart from one phone call five or six years ago.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-would-go-running-in-ooty-at-6am-in-the-morning-recalls-actor-avinash-wadhawan-says-they-would-share-jackets-and-bikes-during-their-struggling-days/articleshow/133001945.cms>
- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/before-stardom-akshay-kumar-and-this-actor-shared-bikes-to-save-petrol-money-borrowed-each-others-jackets-11875601>

Tags: Akshay Kumar, Avinash Wadhawan, Bollywood, Hindi Rush podcast
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/avinash-wadhawan-recalls-akshay-kumars-disciplined-struggling-years/
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