Akshay Kumar said that the death of Sushant Singh Rajput had pushed everyone to “introspect”.
Mumbai:
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar sent a heartfelt appeal to fans and the media on Saturday not to paint all film personalities with the same brush, addressing the controversy and coverage surrounding the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and allegations of widespread drug abuse in the film industry. .
In a nearly four-minute long video, the 53-year-old actor said that the problem of drug abuse exists in Bollywood, as in any other industry, but it should not be assumed that everyone in the profession is part of the problem. .
“Today I am speaking with a heavy heart. I want to say so many things in recent weeks, but there is so much negativity everywhere,” he said.
“We may be called stars, but Bollywood was created out of their love. We are not just an industry, but through our films we have shown the values and culture of India around the world,” said Kumar.
The actor added that cinema has always been a reflection of society, raising relevant issues such as “corruption, poverty or unemployment”, and will continue to do so.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is investigating allegations of widespread drug abuse in Bollywood and has so far arrested Sushant Singh Rajput’s girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, and some suspected drug traffickers for allegedly facilitating the habit. of the actor’s drugs.
The central agency has also questioned Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan as part of the investigation in a separate case.
Influential Bollywood names have faced the ire of many on social media and various other platforms for being a negative influence.
Akshay Kumar said that the events that followed Sushant Singh’s death in June have pushed everyone in the film industry to “introspect.”
The actor said he couldn’t deny that there are some in the industry who may be involved in illegal stuff, but most people will cooperate with the investigation.
“I will be a liar if I say that this problem does not exist in our industry. It exists, like all industries. But all people in all professions are not involved in such problems. This is impossible,” he said.
“Drugs are a legal matter and I am fully confident that our law enforcement authorities and courts will carry out a fair investigation on this matter. I know that everyone in the film industry will cooperate with them in this investigation. It is my request, do not look. to the entire industry with the same lens. This is not correct, “he said.
The actor asked the media not to indulge in callous and irresponsible coverage, as, he said, even a single “negative issue” can damage an artist’s hard-earned reputation.
“I want to ask the media to continue to do their job and raise their voices but with sensitivity. A negative problem can damage the reputation of a person who built over the years after a lot of work,” said Kumar.
(With PTI inputs)
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