Akshay Kumar

Following Paresh Rawal's departure from Hera Pheri 3 in 2025, the production company linked to Akshay Kumar sought approximately 25 crore rupees in damages, alleging breach of contract after an advance had been accepted. Rawal's lawyer responded by criticising the absence of a screenplay and "general disorganisation".

State of the evidence

Formal notice, reported threat/civil action, conflicting responses and resolution documented

Legal status — source text

Contractual dispute subsequently resolved; director stated in 2026 that the case had been withdrawn

Attribution

Responsibility as producer/contractual party to the dispute

Akshay Kumar's Canadian citizenship fuelled recurring criticism in India, particularly because of his patriotic public image and his inability to vote at the time. He explained that he had applied for a Canadian passport during a period when his career appeared uncertain. In August 2023, he announced that he had regained Indian citizenship and relinquished Canadian citizenship.

State of the evidence

Nationality status and public statements documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Personal responsibility for his citizenship status and explanations

An airline advertisement showed Akshay Kumar walking on a stylised globe at the location corresponding to India. Social media users accused him of disrespecting the country, turning the image into a reputational controversy.

State of the evidence

Advertisement and public reaction documented

Legal status — source text

No established legal proceedings

Attribution

Personal responsibility limited to his participation in the campaign

Akshay Kumar faced strong backlash after appearing in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement, a brand closely associated with pan masala, despite earlier statements opposing gutkha. He apologised, announced his withdrawal from the association and stated that he would donate his fee to a cause.

State of the evidence

Advertisement and public apology documented

Legal status — source text

No personal conviction established

Attribution

Personal responsibility for the endorsement

Subramanian Swamy sent a legal notice to Akshay Kumar and those responsible for Ram Setu, demanding that the film accurately portray, in his view, his role in the legal proceedings concerning Ram Setu.

State of the evidence

Legal notice documented

Legal status — source text

Pre-litigation notice; no conviction

Attribution

Personal involvement as an actor and member of the creative team concerned

A complaint was filed in Worli against Akshay Kumar concerning a Nirma advertisement featuring characters dressed as Maratha warriors, with some critics arguing that it ridiculed Maratha history and symbols.

State of the evidence

Police complaint documented

Legal status — source text

Complaint registered; no personal conviction found

Attribution

Personal allegation linked to his participation in the advertisement

The title Laxmmi Bomb prompted protests from Hindu groups and a legal notice from the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, which considered it offensive to the goddess Lakshmi. Akshay Kumar and the co-producers changed the title to Laxmii before release.

State of the evidence

Legal notice, protests and title change documented

Attribution

Personal responsibility as lead actor and co-producer

During the investigation into Punjab sacrilege cases, allegations claimed that Akshay Kumar had helped arrange a meeting between Sukhbir Singh Badal and Gurmeet Ram Rahim. An SIT questioned him in November 2018; the actor denied ever meeting Ram Rahim or acting as an intermediary.

State of the evidence

SIT questioning and case allegations documented

Legal status — source text

Questioned as a person connected to the allegations; no personal charges established in the verified sources

Attribution

Personal allegation of acting as an intermediary, expressly denied

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna auctioned the costume worn in Rustom for charity, describing it as a naval uniform. Serving and retired military personnel criticised this description, and a legal notice was sent.

State of the evidence

Auction, protests and legal notice documented

Legal status — source text

Legal notice sent; no personal conviction

Attribution

Personal responsibility as a promoter of the charity auction

A segment of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in which Akshay Kumar made a remark to Mallika Dua playing on "bell bajao" / "main aapko bajata hoon" sparked controversy. Dua said she had felt uncomfortable, and her father described the remark as vulgar.

State of the evidence

Video, statements and public reactions documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Personal responsibility for a public remark

Akshay Kumar was criticised after a photograph circulated showing him holding the Indian flag upside down during the Women's Cricket World Cup final. He deleted the image and apologised.

State of the evidence

Photograph, deletion and public apology documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings identified

Attribution

Personal responsibility for the published image

Sikh organisations and religious leaders objected to several promotional elements and scenes in Singh Is Bliing, particularly those involving the Golden Temple and alcohol. Akshay Kumar and the production team met representatives and agreed to cuts or modifications.

State of the evidence

Community objections, consultations and modifications documented

A magistrate ordered a police investigation following a complaint alleging that a scene in Khiladi 786 showing Akshay Kumar walking on a representation of the number 786 had hurt Muslims' religious sentiments.

State of the evidence

Magistrate's investigation order documented

Legal status — source text

Police investigation ordered; no personal conviction found

Attribution

Personal allegation linked to a scene in the film

During Lakme Fashion Week 2009, Akshay Kumar asked his wife Twinkle Khanna to unbutton his jeans on the catwalk. An FIR alleging obscenity followed; Kumar presented himself to the police, was formally arrested and then released on bail. In 2013, the Bombay High Court indicated that proceedings could continue against the couple.

State of the evidence

FIR, arrest/surrender, bail and High Court decision documented

Legal status — source text

Prosecution allowed to continue by the Bombay High Court in 2013; no final conviction found

Attribution

Personal responsibility for the disputed public performance