Mumbai: Clearing the doubts, actor Prakash Raj, who was misquoted as saying that ‘he wants to return his five national awards’, said, he is not a fool to return his awards.
The actor had lashed at PM Modi for his silence over senior journalist’s murder. A close friend of Gauri Lankesh, Raj also criticised Narendra Modi for following some Twitter users who celebrated the murder on social media.
Raj was quoted as saying, at the 11th state meet of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Bengaluru on Monday, “In UP, we don’t know whether he’s a Chief Minister or the pujari of a temple. You know, I have 5 national awards. I think I should give them to him.”
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This led to speculations whether Raj was going to return his National Award. However, the actor clarified this in the video, saying, “I’m not such a fool to give back my National Award, it’s something I’m very proud of.”
What's said…n what's not said. For all out there .. thank you pic.twitter.com/zIT7rnkFxb
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) October 2, 2017
“I am a renowned actor. Do you (Modi) think I will not be able to notice when you are acting? At least, show me some respect. Considering the fact that I am an actor, I will be able to tell what is the truth and what is acting,” the actor was also quoted as saying earlier.
Prakash Raj won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Iruvar. He won the National Award for Best Actor for Kancheevaram. He has so far won 5 National Awards.
The senior journalist, Gauri Lankesh, a well-known critic of the right wing, was shot dead at her residence in Bengaluru.