Rajesh Khanna episode over with Naseeruddin’s graceful apology: Akshay Kumar

Superstar Akshay Kumar said that the controversy over Naseeruddin Shah’s comment about his late father-in-law Rajesh Khanna has ended as Naseeruddin has “gracefully appologised” and the matter should be forgotten.

Asked about Naseeruddin’s comment, Akshay said, “I am in this industry for last 25 years; just tell me if I have ever spoken anything about other actor. Some wise person has said that mind your own business and I feel I should do my own work... who am I to comment on anyone.”

“Everybody has their own way of talking and everyone can speak their voice out. Now it’s a closed. Nasser Saab has gracefully apologised and I would appreciate if we all forget about this,” he added.

In a recent interview, Naseeruddin said that nothing has changed in Bollywood and it was the same as it was 50 years ago. “The photography and editing is better but the subjects are as puerile as they were in the 1970s.”

“In fact, it was the 1970s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That’s when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success, I think Mr Khanna was a very limited actor. In fact, he was a poor actor. Intellectually, he wasn’t the most alert person I have ever met. His taste ruled the industry,” he had said.

He also said that it was during the 1970s that the industry became less content driven. “The quality of script, acting, music and lyrics deteriorated. Colour came in. You could make a heroine wear a purple dress and hero a red shirt, go to Kashmir and make a movie. You didn’t need a story. This trend continued and I certainly think Mr Khanna had something to do with it because he was God in those days.”