I wanted to join merchant navy: Akshay Kumar

New Delhi: From playing an army man to a RAW agent, Akshay Kumar has done it all and the actor says there was a time in his life when he was in a mood to join merchant navy.

The 48-year-old actor, who was in the capital to promote his upcoming release "Rustom" where he plays a navy officer, said his father was in Army and that is a reason why he always had an inclination towards defense services.

"My father was in Army. There was a time in my life where I was thinking of joining merchant navy, but things didn't work out the way it was supposed and something else was there in my destiny," Akshay said during the press conference.

The actor has been choosing a lot of patriotic films like "Holiday," "Baby" and "Airlift". For him, cinema is a medium through which he can convey his love for the country.

"The feeling of patriotism in me is same as what it would be in any citizen of India. I am not doing anything different. It's just that I have a medium of films to convey it and I take advantage of that.

"May be because my father was in army, so, these things are inculcated in me. Plus, my body structure is in a way that I fit well in the role of an army man or any defense personal," he said.

Akshay, however, denied sticking to the genre and said his aim is to portray varied characters.

"I am doing films of all genres. I have done a few patriotic films, but my next is a sequel to 'Jolly LLB' which is all together a different genre. I always try to play different kind of roles."

The "Housefull 3" star will be seen playing Rustom Pavri, in "Rustom", but the actor said he didn't have to work hard to acquire the mannerisms of Parsi as he has lots of friends from the community.

"I have a lot of Parsi friends. One of my best friends from school is a Parsi and my manager is also a Parsi. I know a lot from the community. It was not a difficult job for me to play one."

The Tinu Desai-directed film, which releases this Friday will have a box office clash with Hrithik Roshan-starrer "Mohenjo Daro," but for Akshay it is not something which bothers him as it's a long weekend and he hopes both the film will do well.

"It's a big weekend and lot of holidays are there. We have seen in past as well that two big films can adjust and I don't think both the films will face any problem," he said.