Akshay Kumar trolled for old 'Toronto is my home' clip
What's the story
After offering clarification on the controversy around his Canadian citizenship, trolls dragged Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar yet again over his loyalty toward India. An old video of the 51-year-old actor has gone viral where he calls Canada his home, adding that he plans to settle there once he retires from his Bollywood career. Read on to find out more details.
Details
After I retire, I will settle in Toronto: Akshay
In the undated video, which first went viral in December 2018, Akshay sais, "I must tell you one thing, this is my home. Toronto is my home. After I retire from this industry, I will come back here and stay here." The video resurfaced the day Akshay clarified that he's never denied having a Canadian passport, and he pays his taxes in India.
Twitter Post
Here's the old clip where Akshay calls Toronto his home
"Toronto is my home, after I retire from this industry I will settle in Canada" pic.twitter.com/Ypet1U0oBJ
— Tarique Anwer (@tanwer_m) May 3, 2019
Data
Akshay among Bollywood's highest tax-payers
Interestingly, in 2017, Akshay paid Rs. 29.5cr in taxes and was the highest tax-payer in Bollywood for several years until he was replaced by Amitabh Bachchan in 2018-19, who paid Rs. 70cr. Any income earned in India is taxable in India, irrespective of citizenship.
Recent developments
What about Akshay's National Awards for Best Actor?
Recently, people even questioned the validity of Akshay's National Awards for Rustom and Airlift. Screenwriter Apurva Asrani asked whether there should be a revote, however, filmmaker Rahul Dholakia later clarified that foreign national can be honored with the award. Rang de Basanti actor Siddharth had also taken a sly dig at Akshay by asking US President for an interview on his "cute personality."
Criticism
Akshay branded a 'hypocrite', 'fake nationalist'
Akshay drew focus due to his absence from polling booths last week, despite having urged people to go out and vote. Several wondered if it's because of his Canadian citizenship. He was also criticized for his "apolitical" interview with the PM. Akshay, who is usually seen in films with patriotic and social themes, has now been branded a "hypocrite," "fake nationalist," and a "liar."
History
Reports of Akshay's Canadian citizenship first emerged in 2016
In 2017, when asked about his Canadian passport, Akshay said that he's an honorary citizen of Canada. However, he's not mentioned on the list of honorary Canadians. Akshay's Canadian citizenship was first revealed in April 2016, when he was held at the Heathrow Airport in London by UK immigration officials. Incidentally, in 2010, he was named the brand ambassador for Canadian tourism in India.