Akshay Kumar on backlash over Shivling hugging scene: Meri bhakti ko agar koi galat samjhe...

Akshay Kumar on Shivling hugging scene

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar finally spoke on the controversy surrounding his devotional song Mahakal Chalo. The song, released ahead of Mahashivratri in collaboration with Palash Sen, faced objections from a priest association regarding certain visuals, particularly one where Akshay is seen hugging a Shivling.

During a press conference for his upcoming film Kannappa in Mumbai on February 27, Akshay responded to the backlash. He explained his perspective on devotion, saying, “Since childhood, our parents have taught us that Bhagwan hamare mata pita hai (God is our parents). So, if you hug your parents, what is wrong with that? Is there anything wrong with it?”

He further added, “Absolutely not. Meri agar shakti wahan se aati hai, toh meri bhakti ko agar koi galat samjhe, usmein mera koi kasoor nahi. That’s it.” (If my strength comes from there, then if someone misunderstands my devotion, it is not my fault.)

Amidst the controversy, Akshay also shared details about his upcoming role in the Telugu film Kannappa, in which he will portray Lord Shiva.

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Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film is scheduled for release on April 25, 2025, marking Akshay’s debut in Telugu cinema. During the event, producer and actor Vishnu Manchu expressed his admiration for Akshay, saying, “I didn’t have a personal connection with Akshay Kumar. But I am grateful to have met him through this film. He’s a wonderful human being. I am a junior to him as an actor, and I have a lot to learn from him.”

Vishnu Manchu also spoke about the esteemed cast, which includes Mohan Babu, Mohanlal, and Prabhas. He praised their dedication and respect for his father, saying, “All of the people on the poster, including Mohan Babu, Mohanlal, and Prabhas, have an unwavering spirit and a never-say-die attitude. That was what I learnt from them. They all acted in the film out of love and respect for my father.” He specifically mentioned Prabhas, stating, “Prabhas is one of my brothers. He didn’t hesitate (before accepting the role).”

Manchu also revealed an interesting fact about Akshay’s casting, stating that the actor initially rejected the role twice. “I am grateful to all of them, including Mr. Akshay Kumar… It wasn’t easy getting him on board. He rejected the role twice.”

Akshay later clarified why he turned down the role initially, explaining that he wasn’t sure about the legitimacy of the offer. He said, “As he mentioned, I turned down the part twice. Now, let me explain why. I didn’t know Vishnu ji. I know his father (Mohan Babu) for certain. To suddenly phone aaya mujhe pata nahi chala aur phone bhi kisi aur ko kiya tha and it came through Sudha ma’am, so pata nahi chala.” (I suddenly got a call, and I didn’t know about it. The call was made to someone else, and it came through Sudha ma’am, so I wasn’t aware of it.) He added, “There are times when actors or their managers get hoax calls (and hence I turned the offer down).”

With Akshay Kumar taking on the role of Lord Shiva and Kannappa shaping up to be a highly anticipated project, the actor’s presence in the film has certainly generated buzz. Meanwhile, the Shivling controversy remains a topic of debate, with Akshay firmly standing by his faith and devotion.