New Delhi:
Akshay Kumar has become critics favourite subject ever since his 'non-political' interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aired. Recently netizens have taken up social media platforms to question his nationality and lately if he qualifies for a national award.Â
The Bollywood actor’s critics are now questioning his 2017 Best Actor Award-win at the 64th National Film Awards for the film Rustom (2016) as he is not an Indian citizen. Some have even asked him to give away his Canadian passport to embrace Indian nationality.
 After the South Indian actor Siddharth took a jibe at Akshay Kumar’s Canadian citizenship and interview with PM Narendra Modi with a tweet that trolled President of the US, Donald Trump, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar in the same time, now even Rangoli Chandel, sister and manager of Kangana Ranaut has expressed her take on the matter.Â
Quoting a song from Kangana starrer Manikarnika: The queen of Jhansi, she wrote, "Desh se hai payaar to har pal yeh kehna chahiye, main rahoon ya na rahoon Bharat yeh rehna chahiye, we agree desh se hai payaar toh sar utha ke kaho, hum bhartiya hain" and also retweeted a post that demanded that Akshay Kumar who is 'using the trump card of patriotism' for 'surviving in Bollywood' should drop Canadian citizenship.Â
Desh se hai payaar to har pal yeh kehna chahiye, main rahoon ya na rahoon Bharat yeh rehna chahiye, we agree desh se hai payaar toh sar utha ke kaho, hum bhartiya hain🙠https://t.co/KJfnqXKVyA
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) May 4, 2019
Rangoli, however, had supported the PM and Akshay after twitterati trolled the 'non-political interview' tweeting, "Coming out in defence of PM Modi, Kangana Ranaut's sister Rangoli Chandel took to her Twitter account and wrote: "Ab is interview mein kya problem hai? Its not even political, such an inspiring light hearted chat between two self made men, isko bhi troll karte hain, Modi ji Maa ko milne jayein tab bhi trolling, giving interviews tab bhi bulling (contd)" [sic]."
Meawhile, Rahul Dholakia, the director of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees (2017) and once a jury of National Awards posted a tweet clarifying that “film professionals & technicians of foreign origin†can also be considered for the National Film Awards.
Akshay, cleared his stand in the matter by admitting on Friday that he held a Canadian passport. He also expressed displeasure over his citizenship being dragged into what he called “needless controversy.â€
“I really don’t understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India,†the actor wrote.
“While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal, non-political, and of no consequence to others,†he wrote further.
“Lastly, I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger,†he signed off saying.
On the work front, Akshay will be next seen in Good News also starring Kareena Kapoor.
