Indian or Foreigner? Akshay Kumar Sparks a Twitter Debate

Twitter is divided over Akshay Kumar’s nationality.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Actor Akshay Kumar’s citizenship has been the talk of the town since his “non-political” interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The debate amplified as his absence was noted from the polling booths in Mumbai, when the rest of Bollywood turned up to vote.

After being questioned about his Canadian citizenship, Kumar released a statement claiming that he has never hidden the fact that he holds a Canadian passport.

“I really don’t understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India. While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal, non-political, and of no consequence to others. I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger.”

Akshay Kumar

The actor had previously claimed that his Canadian citizenship is “honorary” (and therefore, invalid), but an old report by Vancouver Observer alleges that Akshay Kumar was granted Canadian citizenship papers “within weeks” after applying.

And Twitter is not known for kindness in debate.