Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has officially become an Indian citizen, marking a significant step in his journey to strengthen his Indian identity. The actor, who was previously a citizen of Canada, shared the news with his followers on Twitter by posting a picture of his official government documents.
Akshay Kumar’s decision to acquire Indian citizenship comes after years of speculation and criticism from certain sections for holding Canadian citizenship. In 2019, during a session at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Akshay had stated his intention to apply for an Indian passport. Now, three years later, he has fulfilled his promise and shared the update during another Leadership Summit session.
Addressing the reasons behind his choice, Akshay Kumar emphasized, “Having a Canadian passport does not mean I am any less of an Indian. I am very much Indian. I have been here since last nine years when I got the passport. And I don’t want to get into the reason of why, what happened, my films were not working, blah blah blah, chalo woh theek hai.”
He also explained the delays in the application process, citing the pandemic as a major hindrance. “Yes, I had said it in 2019, I applied for it. Then uske baad pandemic aagaya. Uske 2-2.5 saal sab kuch band hogaya. Renounce ka abhi mera letter aagaya hai (Then the pandemic happened and everything shut down for 2-2.5 years. My renounce letter is here) and very soon my whole passport will be coming. Main kya karu, maine thodi pandemic laya hai (What do I do. I didn’t bring the pandemic),” he added.
In terms of his film career, Akshay Kumar’s recent release “OMG 2” alongside Pankaj Tripathi has been performing well at the box office despite tough competition from “Gadar 2.” Additionally, he has the upcoming Hindi remake of “Soorarai Pottru,” set to hit theaters on September 1, featuring Radhika Madan and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles. Audiences can also look forward to the action thriller “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” co-starring Tiger Shroff, scheduled to release on Eid 2024. Furthermore, Akshay will reunite with Riteish Deshmukh for the fifth installment of the successful comedy franchise “Housefull” and is anticipated to appear in the long-awaited “Hera Pheri 3.”
Akshay Kumar’s decision to obtain Indian citizenship not only signifies his commitment to his Indian heritage but also reinforces the idea that identity transcends borders. As he continues to contribute to both the entertainment industry and society at large, his journey serves as an example of embracing cultural diversity.
Sources By Agencies