If the 90s saw him ace Khiladi roles, this decade is witnessing a more matured, polished and sophisticated side of Akshay Kumar. The dashing actor seems to be aging backwards, isn’t it?

The suave actor has also been on a ‘real incidents-inspired’ movie spree. We take look at the five real-life roles that he aced…read on:

Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara! Based on the Mumbai underworld, Akshay played a dreaded kingpin who put the city on high alert. As an assassin and later a womaniser, Akshay gave the negative role an edgy spin.

Special 26: Based on the Opera House heist of 1987, the movie is a fast paced drama that drifts from one plot to another. With many twists and turns, it brought back ‘reality’ cinema to Bollywood. He played a conman, who pulls off an incredible heist…right under the noses of Income Tax officers. Needless to say, Akki lends his own charm to the role.

Airlift: The evacuation drama saw Akshay ace the ‘business tycoon who’s struggling to keep his family safe’ role. He put in his everything to rescue Indians from Kuwait, a character that’s said to be loosely based on Mathunny Mathews.

Rustom: His upcoming thriller is based on the sensational Nanavati murder case, which was also the last trial to see a jury. We are certain that the actor would come right on top in this role as well…say what, guys?

This man is a gem!