Akshay Kumar is now an Indian citizen. The actor’s contribution is the proof

Akshay Kumar renounced his Canadian passport and is now an Indian citizen. On India’s 77th Independence Day, he presented his certificate of citizenship.

Akshay Kumar is now an Indian citizen. The Bollywood star, who has faced much backlash in the past for holding a Canadian passport, today shared proof of his Indian citizenship on social media. The announcement of his updated citizenship status coincides with India’s 77th Independence Day.

In February this year, Akshay Kumar vowed to renounce his Canadian citizenship, saying he had already applied for a passport change.

He shared proof of his Indian citizenship on social media today. “Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani (Heart and citizenship, both Indian),” Kumar wrote on Twitter, sharing a picture of his Home Office citizenship certificate.

“Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!” the actor added.

Kumar’s citizenship certificate lists his real name as Akshay Hariom Bhatia. His previous citizenship is listed as Canadian.

Akshay Kumar’s citizenship had become a topic of discussion after an interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2019 just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Indian-born actor became a naturalized Canadian citizen.

While later addressing the controversy surrounding his citizenship, the Hera Pheri The actor had said he applied for Canadian citizenship at a low point in his career.

“I thought, ‘Bhai, my films aren’t working and you have to work.’ I went there for work. My friend was in Canada and he said, ‘Come here’. I applied and got in,” Kumar said on an episode of Seedhi Baat about Aajtak.

“I only had two films left for release and it’s just a stroke of luck that both were smash hits. My friend said, “Go back and start working again.” I got a few more films and kept getting more and more commissions. I forgot I had the passport. I never thought I should have that passport changed, but now I’ve applied to have my passport changed and once I get waiver status from Canada…” the actor said.

(With inputs from PTI)