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Akshay Kumar in National Geographic series
 The National Geographic
Channel has announced the launch of its thrilling martial arts series Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar. Superstar and martial arts practitioner Akshay Kumar will take viewers on a spectacular journey through the world of seven deadly martial arts. The seven part series will air every Sunday at 2000 hrs starting May 9, 2004.
The launch of the series marks a first for both the channel and Akshay Kumar. This is the first time that National Geographic Channel has associated with a big
movie star and also the first time that he has associated with a television series. The deathly calm of Karate, the flourish of Aikido, the peace of Shaolin Kung Fu… Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar will take viewers around the globe to uncover the myths, the legends and the spirituality behind these art forms.
“Martial Arts is not about violence. It is about focus, discipline and how we can use its teachings in our daily lives,” said Dilshad Master, Senior VP-Content & Communications.
“Akshay Kumar is a martial arts practitioner and as the host of this series, he is a teacher and learner at the same time. Akshay will use his knowledge and new understanding of these diverse martial art forms to offer viewers a deeper insight into the power of martial arts and its impact on their day-to-day lives.”
A Bollywood superstar, known for his breath-taking stunts, most of which he performs himself, Akshay moved to Bangkok in his early teens to learn and master
Karate and Muay Thai.
The Seven Deadly Arts series will have Akshay practicing and perfecting his katas with Indian Masters and learning new skills from the masters of Kung Fu and Aikido, amongst others. He will seek to share his personal philosophy of martial arts with the viewers and how it has helped him to be a better actor, fighter and human being.
“My dream has always been to start a school in Karate and show more and more Indians the power and beauty of Martial Arts,” said Akshay Kumar. “I am truly excited about hosting National Geographic Channel’s Seven Deadly Arts as it has given me the opportunity to reach out across the country and explain to children and parents the discipline and strength that martial arts brings to one’s life.”
 Starting 9th May, the hour-long episodes will trace the culture and history that enriches each of the art forms right from the two-thousand-year unique Chinese legacy of Kung Fu to the distinct history of Karate and the rhythmic, acrobatic fighting style of Capoeira. Each episode will give a bird’s eye view of the art form featured - be it Aikido-the martial art of peace, the male-dominated world of Muay Thai, Taekwondo’s World War II heritage or closer home, Kalaripayattu and its healing powers.
National Geographic Channel Asia was launched on July 1, 1998. Its programming covers adventure and exploration, natural history, science, wildlife and people of the world. The National Geographic Channel is currently distributed to over 30 million 24-hour homes and over 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia Pacific. National Geographic Channel Asia is a business enterprise of National Geographic Television, NBC, and Fox Entertainment Group.
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