Akshay Kumar's Canadian citizenship has always been a bone of contention among his fans and his haters on social media. While Akshay has always maintained that he has got dual citizenship, it has been pointed out that Indian never recognises 'dual citizenship' and his other argument about being conferred honorary citizenship by Canada is also rendered moot. Canada has only conferred this honour to half a dozen celebs, and Akshay is not among them. Akshay Kumar More 'Canadian' Than 'Indian'? Plans to Settle in Toronto After Retiring - Watch Viral Video.
It would not have been a great deal as such, since some of our popular celebs like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt reportedly don't have Indian passports. What gets the goat of the detractors of Akshay Kumar is that he uses 'nationalism' to promote his films and portray himself as a true Indian. Like recently, Akshay Kumar had shared a new poster of his upcoming film, Kesari - based on the Battle of Saragarhi - on Republic Day with the caption, "Happy Republic Day. It’s our #70thRepublicDay but our men have been fighting for the country since time unknown. 122 years ago, 21 Sikhs fought against 10000 invaders. #KESARI is their story, in cinemas on March 21." Going with the current spirit of using national holidays and fervour to promote films, this was nothing unusual. On Republic Day, Akshay Kumar Show Us a New Glimpse of Kesari – View Pic.
Happy Republic Day.
It’s our #70thRepublicDay but our men have been fighting for the country since time unknown. 122 years ago, 21 Sikhs fought against 10000 invaders.#KESARI is their story, in cinemas on March 21. pic.twitter.com/oCUZ6UVdqY
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 26, 2019
Some Twitter users, however, were annoyed about the fact that Akshay was using our sense of nationalism to promote his film, while he himself has 'ditched' his nationality to take up Canadian citizenship.
Tweet #1
Canadian citizen peddling his film using the occasion of Republic Day of a nation he doesn’t belong to! https://t.co/Jrfwdo7Nl6
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) January 26, 2019
Tweet #2
Sir kabhi toh desh ki baat bina kuch beche bhi kar Liya karo. Matlab try toh karo. Ek baar bas. https://t.co/V4GqV70VtP
— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) January 26, 2019
Tweet #3
There was a time when I was the biggest fan of Akshay but the kinda nautanki he started doing for film promotion especially on republic or independence day I stopped watching his movies
— Accidental (@kachori_samosa) January 26, 2019
Tweet #4
The perfect way of selling nationalism
— Rafaile+Bofors chor (@Kristin50862542) January 26, 2019
Tweet #5
Itna hi prem hai India se toh Indian citizenship kyun chord diya
— Mayank Bariar (@Hari_Vachan) January 26, 2019
Seeing the outrage against their idol, Akshay Kumar fans took to social media platforms to defend him. Using the tag 'Akshay Kumar Pride of India', they shared facts of Akshay's generosity in the past, which makes him 'Indian' in spirit.
Tweet #1
AKSHAY KUMAR PRIDE OF INDIA
he is more Indian than those fakers pic.twitter.com/wriNr5FMrW
— Rahul Kr. Sr. (@BiharKaLal) January 27, 2019
Tweet #2
Akshay Kumar pride of India .This trending is real Because there is no fake pakiStani account pic.twitter.com/1DjQ38Dy5Q
— Ashish kumar9128881658 (@kumar9128881658) January 27, 2019
Tweet #3
We all proud of you sir we love you always and support you always
AKSHAY KUMAR PRIDE OF INDIA pic.twitter.com/K8dtnbJgOR
— AkshayKumarWardhaFanClub (@Wardha_Akkians) January 27, 2019
Tweet #4
Yes I believe that AKSHAY KUMAR PRIDE OF INDIA because he only suggested the idea for Bharat Ke Veer which is helping our martyrs family in a good way.
— Harry Singh (@HSCSocial) January 27, 2019
Tweet #5
@akshaykumar Sir, you are Inspiration for me and all Indians he is the guy who represents army as well as their family #BharatKeVeer I know Sir you will be honoured by #BharatRatna those who are said you are #Canadian they have no heart #AkshayKumarPrideOfIndia
— Bharat (@BharatMahour) January 27, 2019
So which side of this argument are you on? Are people right in criticising Akshay for using national holidays to promote his films, when he allegedly doesn't even hold a passport? Or does his social work make him a better Indian than many of us? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2019 02:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).