Mumbai: Akshay Kumar, who has shared screen space with Salman Khan in several hit films like ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ and ‘Jaan E Mann’, came out in support of the latter amid criticism over ‘Sikandar’s failure.
HT City caught up with Akshay at a special screening of his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ in Delhi on Tuesday and asked him why films of big stars aren’t doing well at the box office, referring to Salman’s ‘Sikandar’.
Akshay’s reply was: “Dekhiye yeh galat baat hai. Aisa hai, aisa ho nahi sakta hai. Tiger Zinda hai aur hamesha rahega. Salman aisi nasal ka tiger jo zindagi mein kabhi marr nahi sakta (See, it’s wrong to say so. This cannot happen. Tiger is alive and he will remain alive forever. Salman is such a tiger who can never die.)”
Akshay requested the audience to keep their phones in their pockets at the grand premiere of ‘Kesari: Chapter 2,’ so that they can experience the film without any distraction.
“I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film. So I request everyone to keep their phones away,” Akshay said.
The special screening was attended by several prominent political leaders and dignitaries, including Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and minister Anurag Thakur.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, wrote on X: “It’s an honour to attend the screening of Kesari Chapter 2 with S. @HardeepSPuriji, CM @gupta_rekha ji, @BansuriSwaraj Ji & @Anurag_Thakur ji. The film is a powerful tribute to the heroes of Jallianwala Bagh.”
“Kudos to @akshaykumar & @ActorMadhavan for bringing to life the courage of Adv. Sankaran Nair… who fearlessly stood up for the truth in the face of British oppression. Kesari Chapter 2 not only honours his legacy but also dares to expose the dark chapters of Congress’s past; when they chose to side with British tyrants and silence the real heroes of our freedom struggle. That same mindset of cruelty resurfaced in 1984, when Congress unleashed terror on Sikhs, echoing the very brutality of the British they once served. Grateful to @neelkantbakshi Ji for the invite,” he added.
In another post, Manjinder wrote, “Watching Kesari Chapter 2 makes it clear… Congress mirrored the British: suppressing truth, silencing heroes, protecting tyranny. In 1984, the same mindset led mobs, burnt homes, violated women and butchered thousands of Sikhs. Evidence was erased, perpetrators rewarded. A state-backed genocide, no less than colonial horrors!!”
The film, which highlights the untold story of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, will be released in theatres on April 18.
