21 crores (Rs.210 million) overseas. And the music and digital rights of the movie have fetched Rs.10 crores (Rs.100 million) - No wonder Akshay comes down on the critics who had a field day ripping apart the film.

'Well, critics to us are like how the tax man is to everyone. We all wish they didn't exist, but they do. It's up to the people if they want someone else to make decisions for them,' he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Talking about the naysayers, he said: 'I know they definitely had a whale of a time with this one, didn't they? What to do? I can't force them to be nice to me and I'm not the type to put a gun to anyone's head; so let them be.

'I have faith that my audience will come and prove my work's worth. And this time they surely have and I love them for it.'

Has he himself never been influenced by critics for films that feature someone else?

'Honestly speaking for myself, if I want to see a movie I will, even if all my friends say it's crap. In fact, it will only make me want to see it even more. We all don't like sugar in our tea; so why would we all like the same movies? it's simple. Trust your own judgement and not someone else's. That's all I can say,' he said.

(Joginder Tuteja can be contacted at joginder_tuteja@rediffmail.com)