Mumbai, June 29 : Actor Akshay Kumar's former karate student Prateek Chakravorty has turned director with "From Sydney With Love" and the star reveals that the new director calls him " uncle".

"He calls me Akshay uncle. Backstage he asked me if he should call me Akshay uncle or not? I love what comes from the heart," the 44-year-old said here at the music launch of the film.

"This is unfortunate that he (Prateek) did not take me in his first film. I have told Prateek a lot of times that please make a film with me, but he refused. But he has promised me that he will cast me in his second film," added Akshay.

" From Sydney With Love" stars Prateek himself along with Bidita Bag, Sharad Malhotra, Evelyn Sharma and Karan Sagoo and it hits theatres July 27.

Talking about Prateek, Akshay further said: "Will you believe me if I say I used to teach him karate? He was a good student but then he stopped it.

"He always wanted to be a director, an actor and I am proud that he has become an actor, he has directed his first film and he has taken forward his grandfather Pramod Films' name ahead," said Akshay.

© IANS