Akshay Kumar: A Star With a Pro-BJP Image
Akshay Kumar is one of the biggest names in Bollywood, but political inclinations have sparked debate on many occasions. For years, Akshay Kumar has been openly in support of the BJP government and its policies, which led him to be known as “pro-BJP.”
His recent comment on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an “actor” reignited the debate about his political leanings. This article looks at Akshay Kumar’s political affiliations, past actions in support of BJP, and criticisms against his choices.
The Kejriwal Comment: An Actor Calling Another an Actor?
That comment came when Kejriwal’s AAP is still sparring with the BJP, and his statement saw many interpret it as a move to belittle Kejriwal’s credibility with a possible onus on the BJP in the background.
This is not the first time Kumar has dabbled into the political waters. Criticism of opposition leaders vociferously and steadfastly sticking to the narrative of the BJP by Kumar speaks volumes about his allegiance to the ruling party.
Earlier Instances in Favour of the Policies of BJP
1. Infamous Modi Interview
In 2019, Akshay Kumar did a rather publicized interview with PM Narendra Modi. Much billed as a “non-political interview,” it ended up coming out as a sort of promotional ride for Modi.
2. Promoting Government Schemes
Kumar has also been an open advocate of BJP-led initiatives. He was vocal in support of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission and appeared in several advertisements for the campaign. This Toilet: Ek Prem Katha film fit well with the government’s cleanliness initiative and was praised by BJP leaders. Similarly, his Padman movie promoting hygiene during menstruation was perceived as advocacy for women’s cause—an agenda very often resorted to by BJP.
3. Citizenship Row
Moving To Patriotism When Cinema Stuttered
While movies like Joker (2012) and Action Replayy (2010) went down in flames, it seemed Akshay Kumar changed gear in terms of a new identity-the proud nationalist hero.
Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty and Airlift marked the start of this shift for Kumar, where he realigned himself to be on the same wavelength as the nationalist content. Movies like Kesari, Gold, and Mission Mangal can all provide testaments to his position as Bollywood’s patriotic face.
The same period also introduced Kumar to the public with a conception of launching Bharat Ke Veer: a crowdfunding portal for families of martyrs. Although commendable, skeptics stated it fit too perfectly into his pro-BJP image and enhanced his public persona just when he needed resurrection.
Criticism: Pro-BJP or Opportunistic?
Others think Akshay Kumar’s association with the BJP is more driven by opportunism than ideologically aligned. His emphasis on nationalist themes occurred at the best time-just when the BJP was assuming power and the need for cinema that suited government narratives was gaining rapid acceptance.
Critics have often labelled Kumar as someone using nationalism purely as a strategic move to ensure his own success at the box office rather than an ideological impulse.
1. Selective Activism
Kumar is very actively promoting the government policies, but his silence on controversial matters such as farmer’s protest or against CAA-NRC protests has not been unobserved. This also induces a question regarding his impartiality since he shies away from comments that may put the BJP in an adverse light.
2. Charges of Bias
The alignment of Kumar with the BJP has also made him controversial. His patriot’s call has been praised by fans while people feel he is the government’s mouthpiece, never daring to address the issues or criticize the government’s shortcomings. His latest Kejriwal comment seems even more political and not very constructive criticism.
3. Controversy over Canadian Citizenship
This haunts the image of Kumar with a reiterative Canadian citizenship debate, as he is ostensibly an Indian at heart but hesitates to relinquish his Canadian citizenship, something that has been the sticking point for many of the critics who have questioned his commitment to the causes he espouses.
Patriotism or propaganda: A fine line
Akshay Kumar is closely related to both the career resurgence and the pro-BJP image. His movies have often reflected the government initiatives, and public utterances seem to be once again carefully crafted to reflect the interest of the ruling party.
While certainly commendable on several counts – soldier welfare, bringing social causes to the fore, etc. The larger narrative, however, speaks of a calculated strategy to remain relevant in Bollywood as well as in the political arena.
Critics feel that Kumar is gradually losing credibility as an artist since he appears too sympathetic to one political ideology. Supporting good policies while constructively critiquing flaws would greatly enhance his image as a socially conscious celebrity.
A Politician-turned- Star
A controversial figure no more, the political views of Akshay Kumar are not a secret anymore. Whether on screen, public statements, or action, the actor does not seem to shy away from supporting the BJP and its vision of India.
While this has helped him in some quarters, it has also attracted criticism. But his latest endorsement of Arvind Kejriwal only adds to the notion of a pro-BJP figure who would quickly come to the side of a political debate.
Where Kumar continues his journey into the circuits of Bollywood and beyond, perhaps the debate over political affiliations will continue unabated. For now, he stands as a shining star with undeniable talent, but whose political choices drown out the artistry within.
