New Delhi: Akshay Kumar has often been criticised by a certain section of the audience for promoting BJP initiatives in his film like 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' and others. There has been a narrative on social media about his affiliations and his interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also heavily criticised and is still a source of many memes. In a recent interview, the actor spoke about his political affiliations and the famous interview.
In a conversation with India Today, Akshay said anybody would have ‘grabbed the opportunity had they been offered it'. Stating that his interview was to know the human side of PM Modi, he said, “I wanted to know the human side of him, I felt like asking him. I wanted to know why he wears a watch upside-down. I wanted to ask him how much money he has in the bank. I’m not going to ask him about policies.”
In another interview with Times Now, the actor spoke about the perception around his political affiliations and being called 'Modi Bhakt' and the criticism of promoting BJP-led initiatives in his films.
“Lots of times people say that they promoted Swachh Bharat Mission and I made Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. They had a Mars Mission and I made Mission Mangal. Aisa nahi hai, maine Airlift bhi banai, us waqt Congress ka raaj tha. No one talked about that. Even Mission Raniganj is set during Congress’ tenure. It is about the bigness and goodness and what happened. It doesn't matter who was in power. What matters is what was done for the betterment of the country,” he told Times Now.
Akshay Kumar Clears The Air On Paan Masala Ad
Earlier on Monday, Akshay was in the news after a paan masala brand’s ad commercial was broadcast on Sunday evening. In April 2022, Akshay had announced his decision to cut ties with the brand.
After the ad was broadcast a section of social media users called out Akshay for being a "hypocrite". Others supported him saying the ad may have been shot before he backed out as the brand ambassador.
Akshay then took to X and clarified that the ads were shot back in 2021. Reacting to a report claiming that he has returned as the brand ambassador of the paan masala brand, he wrote, “"'Returns' as ambassador? Here's some fact check for you Bollywood Hungama, if by chance you are interested in things other than fake news. These ads were shot on 13th October, 2021. I have not had anything to do with the brand ever since I publicly announced the discontinuation of the endorsement. They can legally run the already shot ads till the end of next month. Chill and do some real news.”
Last year, Akshay had come under fire for endorsing the brand, with social media users digging up an old video where he had vouched to never promote tobacco.
Following the backlash, the actor issued a statement and apologised to fans for featuring in the advertising campaign. The brand might continue airing the ads till the "legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me", he had further said.