It took Akshay Kumar's famous masti-baazi to rescue Irrfan Khan from acute depression. After working in intense isolation for an American TV serial in New York, Khan didn't know how close to a breakdown he was until he joined Akki for a comedy in Toronto.

Away for a long stint on the popular series In Treatment, Khan has been away from friends and family for three months at a stretch. A break in Toronto for Anees Bazmi's Thank You, and the homesick and disoriented actor loosened up. He has now returned to New York for the second spell of In Treatment, and is far more relaxed and happy.

Deeply indebted to Kumar, Khan says, "I was avoiding all contact with people who mattered. The stint in Toronto with Akshay changed my mood completely. He brings a sense of joie de vivre on sets. He taught me how to have fun while working."

So life-changing has been Khan's sojourn with Kumar that he has now ended his prolonged exile. "Three months is a long time away from home. Akshay showed me how important it is to be happy and laughing.

My wife and sons are now here with me in New York. I hope to wrap up the show's shoot, and head home by the end of this month. Till then, the mischief-mongers can have a field day, " says Khan, referring to stories that he snatched fan attention away from Kumar in Toronto.