Curious Case Of Akshay Kumar’s Canadian Citizenship & National Award Win: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

"Chaliye Beta", that’s what Akshay Kumar told the reporters on being asked as to why he didn’t vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2019. Akshay Kumar, who grabbed national headlines for his “candid” and “completely non-political” interview with Narendra Modi was getting trolled online for not casting his vote.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Tells Akshay Kumar ‘Twinkle Ji Mere Upar Gussa Nikalti Hai’, She Gives A Classy Reply!

And how would he? He doesn’t have an Indian passport. Instead, he holds a Canadian citizenship.

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After all the fuss about his citizenship, he finally issued a statement on Twitter and said that he felt disappointed. He, furthermore, said that he has never denied or hidden the fact that he holds a Canadian passport.

And this has left people confused. Here's why!

It was in 2017, Akshay had revealed to Times Now that he has been bestowed honorary citizenship by the Canadian Government, and that is “something to be proud of”.

However, it is said that a person having a Honorary Canadian Citizenship, does not need to change his/her passport. But, Akshay Kumar in his recent tweet mentioned that he holds a Canadian passport. This has left the public perplexed.

What’s more? According to Pinkvilla, the public list of people who have been given honorary citizenship by the Canadian Government does not have Akshay Kumar’s name.

The list includes Raoul Wallenberg (1985 Posthumous), Nelson Mandela (2001), Tenzin Gyatso - The Dalai Lama (2006), Aung San Suu Kyi (2007, but revoked in 2018), Karim Aga Khan IV (2010) and Malala Yousafzai (2014).

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Furthermore, an article in Vancouver Observer, dated 2 September 2012, alleges that Akshay Kumar was given Canadian citizenship within weeks after applying.

“While the majority of these cases have been resolved through the 2009 Bill C-37, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, some people are waiting years to receive the same citizenship papers that others – such as Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar – was granted within weeks,” reads the article.

In the last few days, Akshay Kumar has been trolled left, right and centre. And apparently, the controversy is gaining momentum with every passing day. Now, people are questioning his National Award win for Rustom (2016).

Editor and scriptwriter Apurva Asrani of ‘Aligarh’ fame took to Twitter to question his eligibility for National Award win.

That is when Raees director Rahul Dholakia clarified on Twitter that “film professionals & technicians of foreign origin” can also be considered for the National Film Awards.

Also, according to the rule book of the Directorate of Film Festivals, “film professionals and technicians of foreign origin can also be considered for Awards.”

“Only those persons whose names are on the credit titles of the film and are normally residing and working in India will be eligible for the Awards,” says Clause 7.1 of the regulations.

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is also getting trolled for an old video in which he says “Toronto is my home. After I retire from the film industry, I'm going to come back and stay here.”

Also Read: When 21 Sikh Soldiers Stood Against 10,000 Afghans: Real-Life Story That Inspired Akshay Kumar’s Kesari