The shocking downfall of Nikhil Advani's 'Chandni Chowk To China' has put a huge question mark on Akshay Kumar's ongoing comic journey. Most of his well-wishers in the industry seriously wish him to end his protracted attempts at comedy

Akshay's next crucial release 'Kambhakht Ishq' has very little of the comic element. "It's an out-and-out rom-com with stunts of an international order," informs producer Sajid Nadiadwala proudly." And why are we jumping the gun just because one of his films hasn't lived up to expectations? There could be so many reasons for it. Why should Akshay be blamed for it? Why so much negativity about him? Is he the first superstar to disappoint audiences?"

Sajid shoots down rumours of seriously revamping the comic element in 'Kambhakht Ishq'. "Why would I do that? The film is what it is. I don't work with my actors based on how their last film did. 'Kambhakht Ishq' will have a lot to offer."

Vipul Shah's film with Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai, which he launches in March, is also not a comic romp. "But I don't think the failure of 'Chandni Chowk To China' means that audiences have rejected him in the comic avatar. The backlash is totally uncalled-for. And it looks motivated by reasons other than the box-office. A lot of people have been waiting to pounce on Akshay. This is their opportunity," Vipul Shah defends his hero stoutly.

It is believed that apart from Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan which is an out-and-out comedy, Akshay Kumar forthcoming projects will seriously cut down or downplay the comic element.

"It's the Govinda factor at work again," says a director who wants to remain unnamed. "He did so much buffoonery on screen, Govinda made people forget there was more to him than meets the eye."