Akshay Kumar’s National Film Award was in line with the rules

Actor Akshay Kumar, who said he has Canadian citizenship, was eligible for the National Film Awards under the rules. According to the rulebook of the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation that presents the awards, “Film professionals and technicians of foreign origin can also be considered for Awards”.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who said he has Canadian citizenship, was eligible for the National Film Awards under the rules. According to the rulebook of the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation that presents the awards, “Film professionals and technicians of foreign origin can also be considered for Awards”.

Akshay Kumar at a press conference of his film Kesari. (IANS)

The only condition for an artist under the rulebook is that his or her name should appear in the credit line and the person should be a resident of India.

Clause 7.1 of the regulations say that “Only those persons whose names are on the credit titles of the film and are normally residing and working in India will be eligible for the Awards”.

When a row broke out on social media about Akshay Kumar’s national award, filmmaker Rahul Dholakia made a similar point and said that “foreign nationals can get National Awards”.

Akshay Kumar was named for the Best Actor award for 2016. Akshay issued a statement on Friday regarding the controversy over his citizenship. He says he has never hidden or denied that he holds a Canadian passport and that he doesn’t understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about it.

“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,” he added in the statement.

He concluded by saying: “Lastly, I would like to continue contributing in my small way to the causes that I believe in and make India stronger and stronger.”

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