By Subhash K Jha

Akshay Kumar has become more of a family man with the passage of time. He hates being away from his wife and son for long periods. He prefers to shoot out of Mumbai preferably during his son Aarav's holidays so that his wife Twinkle and his son can join him for long outdoors.

Last week when he had to leave for Chandigarh for a long spell of shooting Akshay's son had school to attend and couldn't come along. Akshay was homesick and lonely. Twinkle and Aarav would now be joining Akshay in Chandigarh over every weekend when Aarav has two days off.

Says a source from Chandigarh, "Akshay has been really missing his wife and son. He told Shirish to get his wife Farah and their triplets over so that there would be a family atmosphere while they shoot. He has even asked Sonakshi to invite her parents to Chandigarh where he will play host. "

And now Shrish's better-half Farah is also joining in in the revelry. Taking a break from her schedules in Mumbai Farah has decided to take off for Chandigarh with her triplets.

The kids Anya, Diva and Czar also need to get away from the pollution. Says Farah, "They've a terrible cough and cold. I'm just waiting to leave with them for Chandigarh. "

Sonakshi of course is completely regaled by her family-oriented hero. She sees a lot of likeness between her first leading man Salman and Akshay. They both treat her with kids' gloves and can't do without their families.

It's one prankster to another for Sonakshi Sinha. If Salman Khan was a masti-khor during all of Dabangg Akshay Kumar is non-stop fun and games. He has Sonakshi in splits in Chandigarh, so much so that onlookers often wonder if the joke is on them.

Akshay's back problem seems to have vanished in the pure unpolluted air of Chandigarh. Shooting for Joker, Akshay's first film in 3D, is a picnic thanks to Akshay's never-ending antics.

"Akshay's antics have us in splits. When we had unseasonal rains here in Chandigarh and were confined indoors Akshay was a one-man entertainment show for us. He's a very patient and co-operative actor. It certainly helps to have a hero like that, " says Shirish.

About the shooting in 3D Shirish says, "It is not very different from shooting a normal film since I always shot visuals with a lot of scale and depth. The most important thing for 3D is a good depth of field in every frame and a lot of patience. "