Maratha group urges police to file case against Akshay Kumar over ad

In the advertisement, the actor is seen playing the role of a Maratha king, who returns victorious with his army, but is admonished for his dirty clothes. The ad then shows the characters dancing around and washing their own clothes.

A Maratha organisation has submitted a letter to the district and police authorities in Maharashtra’s Nanded, seeking a case against Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar for allegedly hurting the community’s sentiments in a washing powder advertisement, an official said on Saturday.

Akshay Kumar as seen during the advertisement in controversy. (Sourced: YouTube)

Calling the advertisement an “insult” of the Maratha warriors, the Sambhaji Brigade on Thursday submitted the letter to Nanded District Collector and Vazirabad Police, urging them to register a case against the “Padman” actor.

In the advertisement, the actor is seen playing the role of a Maratha king, who returns victorious with his army, but is admonished for his dirty clothes. The ad then shows the characters dancing around and washing their own clothes.

“We received a letter from the Sambhaji Brigade on Thursday, in which they demanded that a case be filed against Akshay Kumar for hurting the community’s sentiments. We have forwarded the letter to the superintendent’s office,” in- charge of Vazirabad Police Station S S Shivale said.

The actor and the detergent brand have also come under flak on social media with the #BoycottNirma hashtag trending on Twitter.