We were the first to tell you that Akshay Kumar is playing himself in The Shaukeens but with a twist. In his most special appearance to date, Akshay plays a fictional version of himself - with him being an alcoholic being one of the traits.

Akshay has chosen to laugh at himself in the film - the first ever in Bollywood by any actor. It has beign revealed that another facet` to his character that forms a highlight in the film. While the real life Akshay has often taken digs at film awards, in The Shaukeens, the actor is shown as a superstar who`s actually craving the National Award.

Director Abhishek Sharma reveals, "It`s actually very funny. Akshay Kumar plays Akshay Kumar. But he desperately wants to win the National Award. There is this huge conflict between him and his business manager (Cyrus Broacha cast very interestingly) who wants him to break box-office records instead. But Akshay is ready to do anything to bag the most respected award in the country."

According to the director, the way and means Akshay uses to try and reach his goal of winning the National Award is what forms a crucial track in the film. "In the middle of all this mad conflict are a greedy secretary, an eccentric director and a commercial filmmaker - all driving Akshay crazy who`s anyway being wasted in alcohol. It is madness like never seen before," promises Abhishek.