Award Wapsi: Celebs react

Akshay reacts on returning awards, dodges question on Aamir

The Aamir Khan controversy regarding wife Kiran Rao’s statement on leaving India is the talk-of-the-town currently. Recently, actor Akshay Kumar was asked to react on the issue. But an uncomfortable Akshay refused to comment, as reported in The Hindustan Times. This was a rare incident since the actor is always prompt in commenting on issues. But in the course of the discussion, he did say that he is proud to be an Indian. These days, almost everyone from Bollywood is asked to react on the issue of artists returning their awards in response to the ‘growing intolerance’. The same happened with Akshay during this interaction. He seemed to have supported the dissent by saying that all protests must be carried out peacefully without the use of any violence.

To know more Celeb reactions on Award wapsi, click the following slide...

SRK called ‘traitor’ and ‘anti-national’ in Vivek Sharma's video

Shah Rukh Khan, who was recently in news for voicing his opinions on the intolerance in country and standing by Pakistani actress, Mahira Khan’s right to work in the country, has been slammed for his comments in a video by Bhoothnath filmmaker, Vivek Sharma. Sharma has made a video targeting everyone - from Dibakar Banerjee to Shah Rukh Khan - for supporting the Award Wapsi movement. The video, titled, Dhikkar Hai features six young actors venting their anger against celebs for returning their awards. Vivek Sharma also took a dig at Shah Rukh Khan and his ‘superstar’ status with the lyrics, ‘Tu Kahe Ka superstar?’ In the 2 minute 39 second video, Vivek Sharma and team have targeted all those who have returned their awards. They have called them traitors and anti-nationals and claimed that they have insulted the nation. If this was not all, Vivek Sharma, along with other actors, is also seen asking the people to un-follow celebs who are in favour of award wapsi. Watch the video here.

Click on the next slide to know what celebs had to say about Award Wapsi...

The debate over award wapsi and intolerance is heating up and the film industry stands divided over the issue. While those like Kamal Haasan and Vidya Balan refuse to give up their National Awards, others like Rishi Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan have also expressed their views and taken sides in the raging debate. Here's what the celebs had to say about award wapsi and intolerance…

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan made his stand clear when he said that he won't return his awards as he claimed that it won’t make any difference. He instead asked the ones in favour of the trend to bring about a change by writing an article rather than returning their awards, as reported by The Deccan Herald. He added that returning an award is like insulting the government and also the people who decided to give you an award with love. The actor has been awarded with four National Awards besides the prestigious Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan honour.

On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees co-star, Mahira Khan, is not entering Maharashtra due to the Shiv Sena ban on Pakistani artists. Coming to her rescue, King Khan said politics of the two countries should be handled by the politicians as the inter-culture exchange of artists between the two countries doesn't change anything, as reported by Express Tribune. He made it clear that since she is in his film, she must be allowed. He further commented on the issue by saying that whichever country starts questioning its creative people, will face backlash.

On being asked if he is afraid of Shiv Sena, SRK said that he has a weapon that he is extremely loved by people and if Shiv Sena stands against him then he is sure that enough people will stand by him.

Making his presence felt, actor Rishi Kapoor too expressed his views on the issue but with a twist. In a series of tweets, he wrote, "Yaaron! Please samjhao what is this tolerance and intolerance! Right now I cannot tolerate anybody talking about it...In the last 43 years of my working in Hindi Cinema,no govt...has ever recognised my work barring a National Award for Mera naam Joker 1/2...Which was totally Raj Kapoors. So I cannot give back anything. Sorry. Not that I would have,coz I am against this return of honour. Chill!!!...All channels requesting me to comment on the award waspsi.I said I have never received an award from the govt. so what will I give back? Lol"

Many other celebs also took to Twitter to share their view…

Raveena Tandon‏@TandonRaveena:
the saga of outrageously stupid statements continue..thse people shld b asked to resign from political parties,they aren't fit to be leaders

SUHEL SETH‏@suhelseth:
I am now getting very intolerant about this intolerance rant. Can we please move our gaze to things that are good and positive?

Anupam Kher@AnupamPkher:
When you have an agenda, you don't need logic. Dibakar doesn't make any sense here. Pls watch.:) #AwardWapsi

Chetan Bhagat@chetan_bhagat:
Have no grudge or even interest in #awardwapsi people. foreign media loves "poor backward Indians" stories so just trying to prevent that.

Ashoke Pandit@ashokepandit:
All these #AwardWapsi people are frustrated as their shops are shut.#AwardWapsi.