Akshay Kumar welcomes PM Modi asking party workers to avoid ‘unnecessary comments on films’: ‘He is our biggest influencer’

“Positivity is always welcome. And of our Prime Minister is saying something like this. He is India’s biggest influencer. If he is saying something and if things change it’ll be great for the industry. And why not, things should change, because we go through so much.

“We make films, go to the censor board, get them passed and then someone says something and phir gadbad ho jati hai (it becomes messy). But now that he’s said it, I think it’ll be better for us,” Akshay said at the launch.

According to a BJP office bearer, who was present at the meeting, the prime minister in his speech had “cautioned” those who make statements to grab headlines. “He told them that they should refrain from doing so,” the office bearer said.

Film bodies, including Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), had earlier expressed their happiness over PM Modi’s comment and called it a “big boost of confidence” for the Hindi film industry, which has been fighting a perception battle.

The PM’s remarks came amid the boycott call against Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming movie Pathaan by a few senior BJP leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narrotam Mishra and Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur.

With fresh protest against Pathaan in Guwahati, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that “it’s duty of state govt to maintain law and order” after superstar Shah Rukh Khan called him and “expressed concern” regarding violent protest against his upcoming film Pathaan. The development came a day after the Assam CM, answering to media queries, had said, “Who is Shah Rukh Khan? I don’t know anything about him or his film Pathaan.”

Selfiee, billed as an action comedy drama also stars Emraan Hashmi, Nushratt Bharuccha and Diana Penty. Directed by Good Newwz fame Raj Mehta, the film will hit cinema halls on February 24.