Actor Akshay Kumar, who said he has Canadian citizenship, was eligible for the National Film Awards under the rules. According to the rulebook of the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation that presents the awards, “Film professionals and technicians of foreign origin can also be considered for Awards”. When a row broke out on social media about Akshay Kumar’s national award, filmmaker Rahul Dholakia made a similar point and said that “foreign nationals can get National Awards”. He says he has never hidden or denied that he holds a Canadian passport and that he doesn’t understand the unwarranted interest and negativity about it. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport.

Source: Hindustan Times May 04, 2019 12:27 UTC