Akshay Kumar, a prominent figure in Bollywood known for his versatility and dedication to his craft, is currently in the spotlight due to his latest film, "Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue." Inspired by the real-life hero, Jaswant Gill, the movie has garnered attention for Kumar's stellar performance. However, despite his acting prowess, the film has not achieved significant box office success. In a recent interview, Akshay Kumar addressed the film's performance and responded to allegations of being a supporter of Prime Minister Modi.
Addressing Allegations of Political Bias
One of the controversies surrounding Akshay Kumar is the perception that he is a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response to these allegations, Kumar stated, "It is true that some individuals accuse me of endorsing Swachh Bharat through 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.' I have also produced 'Pad Man.' Yet, it often goes unnoticed that I worked on 'Airlift' during the Congress era. Furthermore, 'Mission Raniganj' is set in the Congress era as well. Unfortunately, these aspects are overlooked, and such accusations are made as per their convenience."
Kumar further elaborated on his perspective, emphasizing that his choice of films is guided by the meaningful subjects they address rather than any political affiliations. He explained, "Whenever I discern potential in a storyline, I choose to bring it to the silver screen. 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' was conceived when I recognized the potential in the Swachh Bharat theme, and I similarly undertook 'Mission Mangal.' The essence lies in these being meaningful subjects that I've translated into films, without any ulterior motives."
The Controversial Interview with Prime Minister Modi
Another source of controversy in Akshay Kumar's career was his interview with Prime Minister Modi. Kumar explained, "The interview garnered mixed reactions from people. My intent was to explore his human side; I was curious about quirks like why he wears his watch upside down. I wanted to inquire about his personal finances, not delve into policy matters." Kumar asserted that he had complete autonomy during the interview and wasn't furnished with pre-scripted questions by the Prime Minister's office. He added, "I had no prepared script. In fact, I even shared a light-hearted joke with him."
Box Office Performance of "Mission Raniganj"
Despite the critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jaswant Gill in "Mission Raniganj," Akshay Kumar acknowledged that the film didn't achieve the commercial success he had anticipated. However, he clarified that he never initially envisioned it as a blockbuster. Kumar's commitment to bringing meaningful stories to the forefront of Bollywood remains unwavering, even if it means taking on projects that may not necessarily be box office hits.
- PTC PUNJABI
