By Apekshita Sonowal

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is often made fun of or critised of his Canadian citizenship especially when he promotes national issues. 

Akshay Kumar's movie Raksha Bandhan got recently released in August 11 on the day of Raksha Bandhan. And hence, he has been giving interviews and promotions back to back.

In one such interview with Lallantop, when the actor was asked about his citizenship and what made him take that decision, Akshay Kumar breaks silence, opens up about his Canadian citizenship.

The actor said that few years ago his movies were not doing well and one of his friends suggested him to work in Canada instead. He then decided to go out since his destiny was not really working here for him in India. Infact, all the paper works was done but then later, his movies were starting to do well and he had to cancel his idea of shifting to Canada for work.

“A few years ago, my films were not working. Almost 14-15 films had not worked so I thought I should probably move elsewhere and work there,” he said.

Akshay also said that, "There's lot of people who go outside for work but they are still Indians from the core of their heart."

"I am an Indian and I always will be. What is passport? The passport is just a piece of document that allows you to go from country to another," he added.

The Khiladi actor also said that, "I am an Indian and pay all my taxes. In fact, I pay the highest taxes and in here (India). Even though I have a choice to pay there as well, but I pay here and I work here in my own country.”

He further says that, "A lot of people say things. Well, they're allowed to. But all I want to say to those people that I am an Indian and I will always be, no matter what you guys say.”

In 2019, Akshay Kumar spoke about his Canadian citizenship and tweeted, “I really don’t understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India. While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal, non-political, and of no consequence to others. I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger.”

Previously the actor also said he had applied for Indian citizenship at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2019.

“I have now applied for the passport. I am an Indian and it hurts me that I am asked to prove that every time.”- He said.