New Delhi, August 15, 2023 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who had been under scrutiny for his Canadian citizenship, marked the 77th Independence Day of India by proudly announcing that he has been granted Indian citizenship. The actor took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his joy and express his love for the nation.
"Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani. Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!," Akshay Kumar tweeted along with a snapshot of his registration document, revealing the long-awaited change in his status. This announcement came as a significant surprise for his fans and followers, who have been curious about his citizenship status for years.
Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 15, 2023
Happy Independence Day!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/DLH0DtbGxk
The actor, who has portrayed patriotic characters on-screen and is known for his philanthropic efforts off-screen, had previously faced criticism over his Canadian citizenship. Responding to the criticism, Akshay Kumar clarified his stance in an interview with news channel Aajtak, stating, "India is everything to me... Whatever I have earned, whatever I have gained is from here. And I'm fortunate that I get a chance to give back. You feel bad when people say things without knowing anything."
Akshay Kumar initiated the process of acquiring Indian citizenship back in 2019. However, the progression of his application had been delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted administrative procedures across the nation.
The matter of his Canadian citizenship gained considerable attention after an interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Akshay Kumar revealed his intentions to change his passport. "I never thought that I should get this passport changed but now yes, I have applied to get my passport changed and once I get the renounced status from Canada...." he had said during the conversation.
On the professional front, Akshay Kumar's latest movie "OMG" 2, featuring co-stars Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam, recently hit theatres. This film release coincided with his declaration of Indian citizenship, further solidifying his connection with the country and his fans.
Akshay Kumar's journey from being a Canadian citizen to embracing Indian citizenship has been met with enthusiasm from his fans and admirers. With his commitment to his homeland reinforced, he continues to be a symbol of pride for many Indians.
