Boycotting movies doesn't make sense: Akshay Kumar on hashtags against 'Raksha Bandhan'
Kolkata, Aug 9: Boycotting films in a free country like India doesn't make sense because cinema as an industry also contributes to nation building, said Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar on Monday.
The actor was speaking at a press conference where he was asked to comment on the boycott calls on social media against his upcoming film "Raksha Bandhan" as well as "Laal Singh Chaddha", starring Aamir Khan. Both films are set to be released Thursday.
"If you don't feel like watching the movie, then don't. It's a free country and the film is out there, so if someone wants to watch it or not, it's up to them.
"I would like to tell you, no matter which industry it is, be it the clothing industry, film industry or anything else, all of these help the economy. But doing things like boycotting movies, it doesn't make sense," Akshay told reporters here.
The actor, who was in the city to promote "Raksha Bandhan", also appealed to people to not indulge in such trends.
"We are on the verge of making our country the biggest and the greatest. So I would just request them don't get into it and I would also request you (reporter) don't get into all this. It'll be better for our country only," he added.
Last week, hashtags calling for the boycott of "Laal Singh Chaddha" were trending on social media. Asked to comment on the social media trends, Aamir had said he was saddened by the boycott calls and urged the audience to not snub his film.
Later, similar hashtags against Akshay's "Raksha Bandhan" also popped up on online platforms.
Directed by Aanand L Rai, the film follows Raju (Akshay), a shop owner who is struggling to get his four younger sisters married. It features Sadia Khateeb, Sahejmeen Kaur, Deepika Khanna and Smrithi Srikanth in the role of Kumar's on-screen sisters.
One of the issues at the centre of the upcoming film is the malpractice of dowry, which the actor said is "unfortunately" still prevalent in society.
"In the name of a gift to the groom's household, some parents of a girl call it dowry... My film talks about the problem. It has many elements which are relatable," he said.
Akshay further said he endorses the call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hoist the tricolour at every household from August 13-15.
"In the 75th year of our independence, I endorse the call by our honourable PM. Every patriotic Indian should do the same," he added.
"Raksha Bandhan" also stars Bhumi Pednekar.
#boycottrakshabandhan #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha #BoycottAliaBhatt
— Indian (@SikhariShambu) August 4, 2022
Indians boycotting both #LaalSinghChaddha & #RakshaBandan equally is a sign of true secularism. pic.twitter.com/3JGx8jpuLB
Regarding anti-India, anti-Hindu Bollywood, Sushant Singh Rajput had said "one day Bollywood will collapse". It's coming true now.
— Unique SSR'S Team🔥(INACTIVE) (@PureLove4SSR) August 9, 2022
Sushant Agent Of Change 💥#BoycottLaalSinghChaddha#BoycottRakshaBandhan#BoycottBollywood pic.twitter.com/KbB5iMii1W
Now it's our turn !#BoycottbollywoodForever #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha #BoycottRakshaBandhanMovie #boycottrakshabandhan pic.twitter.com/rLiciloYEj
— Rise_Of_Saffronism (@r_saffronism) August 4, 2022
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Two killed in head-on bike collision in UP's Pilibhit
Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Two men were killed in a head-on collision between their motorcycles in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district on Wednesday, police said.
The incident occurred near Gauhaniya village on the Bisalpur-Bilsanda road. According to police, the two men were returning home after celebrating Holi at their in-laws' houses.
They were riding at high speed when their motorcycles collided head-on near Gauhaniya village, an eyewitness said. Both sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot.
One of the deceased was identified as Surendra Kumar (26). He was returning from his in-laws' house in Ganguapur village.
The other victim, Dhanpal (25), was a resident of Badhela Badagaon village in neighbouring Shahjahanpur district. He was returning from his in-laws' house in Vakainiya village in the Bilsanda area.
Bilsanda Station House Officer Siddhant Sharma confirmed the incident and said both damaged motorcycles have been seized. "A detailed investigation is underway. Traffic on the road has been restored," he said.
Police identified the victims through documents found on them and informed their families. The bodies have been sent to the district headquarters for post-mortem.
In a separate incident, a 60-year-old woman was killed after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on the Bareilly-Pilibhit highway under Jahanabad police station limits late on Tuesday night.
Jahanabad Station House Officer Pradeep Bishnoi said the deceased was identified as Ramkali, aged around 60, a resident of Balpur village. She was reportedly mentally unwell and often wandered away from home.
