Aamir Khan is a real life hero too: Maharashtra CM

The praise from the chief minister came when the actor was recently mocked by the defence minister Manohar Parrikar over his “growing intolerance” remarks

After actor Aamir Khan’s Paani Foundation announced names of villages in Maharashtra that are being made drought-free, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis heaped praises on the actor. “He is not just a perfectionist but a social reformer,” CM said at a function held on Monday evening.

Aamir Khan, CM Devendra Fadnavis at Satyamev Jayate Water Cup Awards in YB Chavan Auditorium on Monday.(Pramod Thakur/HT photo)

“Aamir is not a reel life hero but also a real life hero,” added Fadnavis while praising Khan and his Paani Foundation for their efforts in making the state free from drought. CM himself has declared that by 2019 Maharashtra will be made drought free.

The praise from the chief minister came when the actor was recently mocked by the defence minister Manohar Parrikar over his “growing intolerance” remarks.

Read: No one said I was wrong: Parrikar defends his jibe at Aamir Khan

Without naming the actor, Parrikar had said that an actor and an online trading company were taught a lesson. “I know there was a team working on this and was telling people you order (Snapdeal products) and return it. The company needs to be taught a lesson (for signing up Khan as its brand ambassador). Finally, they had to cancel their advertisement with the actor,” Parrikar had said without naming the company either.

In response to the praises, Aamir too applauded the CM and said Maharashtra is fortunate to have such a chief minister who is so dedicated and committed to the people. “The way he (Fadnavis) is working, I am sure Maharashtra will soon become free from drought in the coming years,” Aamir said while giving vote of thanks. Later, while speaking with reporters, he added that it is his dream to see a drought-free Maharashtra.

Paani Foundation on Monday felicitated villages that had participated in a peoples’ movement to fight drought through watershed development. Satyamev Jayate Water Cup Award 2016 was awarded to such five villages — Velu (Satara), Khapartone (Beed), Jaigaon (Satara), Radi Tanda (Beed) and Wathoda (Amravati). Also, the CM announced cash prizes for all these villages.