Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is facing criticism on social media following a viral video clip of his new film Kannappa. In the scene, Akshay gives a stern monologue as Lord Shiva. But his eyes shifting from side to side while speaking convinced many that he was reading his lines off a teleprompter that was not in view.
The video soon went viral on the social media, and fans started questioning his performance. Most people stated that an actor of Akshay’s stature and fame should memorize his lines, particularly for such a big role. Some even argued that if he is paid more than ₹100 crore per film, he must at least know his dialogues by heart.
Akshay has been accused of teleprompter use in the past as well. A similar video had emerged earlier this year, when Akshay was being promoted for his film Sarfira, with him glancing to the side, evoking the same sort of reaction. Akshay, though, remained silent about the issue then, and he has done so this time too.
While others are disappointed, there are some who have defended him. His fans claim that Akshay is perhaps one of the most hardworking and disciplined actors in the industry. He is said to shoot several films within a single year and be extremely prompt. They reason that employing a teleprompter could be just a method to remain efficient and meet tight deadlines.
The movie Kannappa is a mythological drama film and features actors such as Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. Being a spiritual film, the fans are looking forward to delivering deep and impactful performances, which is why many were disheartened with the news of the teleprompter misuse.
The controversy rages on the net. Some consider it no big deal, while others think it influences the quality of acting. Akshay has not made any statement so far. Time will tell whether this will change how the audience perceives the movie once it hits the screens.
