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'Take It Back If You Feel Like', Says Akshay Kumar On National Award Controversy

"This is not new."
Hindustan Times via Getty Images

MUMBAI -- Actor Akshay Kumar on Monday urged those criticising his National Award win to "take it back" if they felt he did not deserve it.

He won his first National Award this year in the best actor category for his role in Rustom. The decision, however, was met with criticism with many arguing that it was not fair.

When asked about it, Akshay told reporters, "I've been hearing it for past 25 years, whenever someone wins there is some discussion around it. This is not new. Someone or the other always creates a controversy. 'He shouldn't have won, the other person should have.'

"It's okay. I've won this after 26 years, 'agar woh bhi aapka mann kare toh le lo' (take it back if you feel like it)."

The 49-year-old actor was speaking at an event of Movie Stunt Artist's Association.

Asian Heart Institute and Akshay have partnered to give insurance cover to 370 stuntmen under the health and accident insurance scheme for the year 2017-18.

Asked if he would be considered for the Padma Bhushan for his philanthropic work in the future, Akshay said, "You have to do major work to earn such an award. Only then people can feel you deserve the award. We keep doing these things for our stuntmen, whatever we can in our capacity."

The Airlift star said it was good that some award functions in Bollywood were recognising the efforts of stuntmen but hoped more people acknowledged their hard work.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.