When asked about the apparent coincidence of his decision and the current strained relations between the two countries, Akshay humorously attributed it to blessings from his parents. "Not any baba, it was the blessings of my parents. Main chup chaap nikal gaya (I left quietly)," he quipped, responding to a fan's message that had predicted his move.
Akshay revealed the circumstances that initially led him to opt for Canadian citizenship. "At the time, my films were not doing well, and everyone needs work. I had a friend in Canada who offered me a job in cargo. But then, two of my films became hits, followed by a streak of successes, and I forgot about it," he explained.
Despite holding Canadian citizenship for years, Akshay maintained his deep connection to India. "I am an Indian from my mind, heart, and soul. That will never change," he affirmed. He had publicly announced his intention to give up his Canadian passport several years ago. The process took time, and in August 2023, Akshay finally reclaimed his Indian citizenship. He marked the occasion by sharing a photo of his Indian passport on social media, captioned: "Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani (Heart and citizenship, both Indian). Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind."
Akshay's statement comes against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. The dispute began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations dismissed by New Delhi as "absurd."
On the work front, Akshay Kumar remains one of Bollywood's busiest actors. Currently seen in Singham Again, the Khiladi star has an exciting slate of films lined up, including Housefull 5 and a potential sequel to the comedy-drama Bhagam Bhag. The original film, a fan favourite, featured a stellar cast including Govinda, Paresh Rawal and Lara Dutta.
