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.
Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
