Akshay Kumar is a well-known Indian actor who has achieved great success in the Bollywood film industry. While he is primarily recognized for his contributions to Indian cinema, his life has also been marked by a few controversies and noteworthy incidents:
Nationality Controversy: The controversy surrounding Akshay Kumar’s Canadian citizenship has been a topic of discussion for several years. While he was born in Punjab, India, and initially made a name for himself in Bollywood, he obtained Canadian citizenship in 2011. This decision led to questions about his loyalty to India, especially since he continued to work in the Indian film industry and enjoy immense popularity. Critics argue that holding dual citizenship may imply a lack of commitment to one’s home country, particularly when it comes to issues of national pride and responsibility. Akshay Kumar actively involved in promoting various initiatives of the Indian government and social causes in India. Critics argued that as a Canadian citizen, Akshay Kumar was not eligible to vote in Indian elections. This raised questions about his involvement in Indian politics and social issues, as some believed that individuals who hold foreign citizenship should not have such an active role in Indian affairs. During the 2019 general elections in India, Akshay Kumar faced backlash for not casting his vote, further fueling the controversy.
Religious Identity: Akshay Kumar was born into a Sikh family and was given the name Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. However, when he entered the film industry, he decided to change his name to Akshay Kumar, which is a more neutral and less religiously identifiable name. This decision was not uncommon in the entertainment industry, as actors often choose stage names or pseudonyms for various reasons, including marketability and broad appeal.
Some critics argue that by changing his name and adopting a more mainstream-sounding name, Akshay Kumar was trying to distance himself from his Sikh identity to appeal to a wider audience, including those from different religious backgrounds. This has led to accusations of him not being true to his roots or allegedly trying to hide his religious identity for career advancement.
Alleged Affair with Shilpa Shetty: The alleged affair between Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty was a major gossip topic in the early 2000s within the Bollywood industry. Both actors were prominent figures in the Indian film industry at the time and were often seen together in films and public appearances, which fueled speculation about their relationship. This alleged romance gained substantial media attention and became a hot topic of discussion among fans and industry insiders.
Misleading Ads: Akshay Kumar, a popular Bollywood actor, has indeed been associated with several advertising campaigns over the years, including those for health and fitness products. Some of these advertisements have faced criticism for making exaggerated claims or being misleading in their marketing tactics.
One notable example is his association with a well-known brand of health supplements and energy drinks. In these ads, he has often endorsed the products by portraying them as essential for maintaining high energy levels and a fit lifestyle. However, the claims made in some of these advertisements were criticized for lacking scientific backing or for exaggerating the benefits of the products. This kind of misleading advertising can potentially mislead consumers into believing that these products are more effective than they actually are.
Marital Rape Comment: In 2017, Akshay Kumar found himself in hot water due to an inappropriate comment he made during a press conference to promote his film “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.” The film focused on sanitation and hygiene issues in rural India and aimed to promote the construction of toilets in households, particularly for women’s safety and dignity.
During the press conference, Akshay Kumar made a remark about marital rape that many people found offensive and insensitive. He said, “Has any husband here forced his wife to go to the toilet? Marital rape, we can make it (the film) on that. But let’s not talk about it because people will stop going to the theatres.” This comment was widely criticized as it seemed to make light of a serious issue like marital rape, which is a form of sexual violence and a violation of a person’s consent within marriage. The backlash was swift, with people, including activists and celebrities, calling out Akshay Kumar for his insensitive comment. In response to the criticism and outrage, Akshay Kumar issued an apology, acknowledging that his comment was in poor taste and that he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
Insensitive Remarks on Mallika Dua: The incident involving Akshay Kumar and comedian Mallika Dua occurred on the popular Indian television show “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” in 2017. Akshay Kumar was one of the judges on the show, and Mallika Dua was one of the contestants. During one of the episodes, Akshay Kumar made a comment that many perceived as inappropriate and sexist.
Akshay Kumar’s comment was directed at Mallika Dua, who is known for her comedy and witty sense of humor. In response to one of Mallika’s jokes, Akshay said, “Aap bell bajao, main aapko bajata hoon” which roughly translates to “You ring the bell, I’ll play it for you.” This comment was widely criticized for being disrespectful, sexist, and objectifying towards Mallika Dua. The incident generated outrage on social media, with many people condemning Akshay Kumar’s comment as offensive and derogatory.
