Akshay Kumar, a quarter of a century old in Bollywood, has called receiving the National Film Award in the Best Actor category on Wednesday (April 4) from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee “unreal”.
While the 49-year-old actor has 135 films to his name, a marked absence in terms of awards persisted. “Not anymore,” said Akshay, moments after receiving Indian cinema’s most coveted honour at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, reports HT Cafe.
Dressed in a bandhgala by designer Manish Malhotra, Akshay was accompanied by proud wife Twinkle Khanna and their son, Aarav, 14. Said the actor to the newspaper, “I’ve never felt so light and so humbled at the same time. When one works day in and day out, as I do, something like this isn’t just an honour — it’s a moment in time when everything makes sense. No matter how hard the journey may have been, to stand here now, in front of my family, is the cherry on this almighty cake we call life.”
The announcement of the award last month saw much brouhaha follow on social media platforms over Akshay’s deservedness for it. Especially when his films Rustom (2016) and Airlift (2016) were preferred by the jury over popular favourite, Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal (2016), and the critically acclaimed Aligarh (2016).
Reacting to the backlash, he says, “Just like I know I deserve this award. I’ve never felt more proud of my efforts than I do today. No amount of cyber-bashing will ever change this day for me. In fact, it has been quite entertaining to listen to people get their knickers in such a twist about something over which I had no control,” added the daily.
He is quick to add, “But that’s also the power of your true fans. They will always want their own idol to be honoured the most. I will never disrespect the love people have for their favourite star. Whether they are with me or against me, I’m happy with what I’ve got and how I’ve got here. I never forget my humble beginnings. I’ll always remember I am a Bhatia before I became a Kumar!”
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 "Bollywood, Akshay Kumar, National Film Award, National Award, President, deserve, Twinkle Khanna,Rustom,Pranab Mukherjee,Aligarh")
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