Rajpal Yadav has addressed the recent controversy involving Akshay Kumar during the promotions of their upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, after a viral video sparked speculation online.The clip, which featured Akshay posing with Priyanka Chahar Chaudhary, Ekta Kapoor and Kanika Mann, showed him asking Rajpal to stand to the side—something many netizens interpreted as a slight insult.However, Rajpal dismissed the claims, offering context behind the moment.“If I talk about the controversy of that day, both Akshay and Ekta had come along with the other two girls. I was late, and they were waiting for me. As soon as I came running, I was in the middle of the girls. So Akshay paji was telling me that we will keep the women in the middle, and I will stand on one side, and he will stand on the other,” he told ANI.
‘This is Akshay’s values’: Rajpal explains gesture
Elaborating further, Rajpal said the move stemmed from Akshay’s long-standing habit of giving prominence to women in group photos.“This is actually the deep-rooted moral values of Akshay Paji… I don’t know what people thought from a distance. Actually, Akshay sir has this gesture that when there are three girls and two males, the three females are always in the middle, with one male on one side and the other male on the other side,” he added.
‘He loves me, I love him’
Speaking about their equation, Rajpal Yadav reflected on his decades-long association with Akshay Kumar, which dates back to Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2003).“Akshay Paji… from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to Bhooth Bangla, we must have shouted at each other ten times, rehearsed ten times… In life, he loves me, I love him, and I get inspired by him somewhere. We know each other’s acting, and we respect each other a lot,” he said.The duo has shared screen space in several popular films, including Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Khatta Meetha. Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla stars Akshay Kumar and Rajpal Yadav alongside Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi.With the controversy now addressed, the focus remains on the film, which is set to hit theatres on April 10.
