Veteran actor Paresh Rawal recently addressed the uproar caused by his remarks about Akshay Kumar, clarifying that there is no rift between them despite referring to Kumar as a "colleague" rather than a "friend" in a recent interview. The comment, made during a conversation with Lallantop, sparked speculation and concern among fans, prompting Rawal to set the record straight.
In an exclusive follow-up interview, Rawal expressed frustration over the social media frenzy that erupted after his initial statement. He explained that his intention was not to diminish their relationship, emphasizing that they remain friends. Rawal clarified his definition of "friend," stating that it typically refers to individuals with whom one interacts frequently, several times a month or week. He noted that both he and Kumar lead relatively private lives and are not particularly social, which limits their interactions outside of work.
"Arre bhai kya ho gaya," Rawal exclaimed, reassuring fans that there was no cause for alarm. He further clarified, "People are asking 'Kya ho gaya (aap dono ke beech)?'. Arre bhai, kuch nahin hua," which translates to "What happened (between you two)? Nothing happened!". Rawal emphasized that Kumar is a friend and "will remain a friend," dismissing the controversy as an unnecessary brouhaha.
Rawal also recounted his previous praise for Kumar in an earlier interview, highlighting their long-standing professional relationship and numerous collaborations. He emphasized that his "colleague" comment was simply meant to illustrate the different types of friendships one can have, including those formed in school and theater, and was not intended to create any misunderstanding about his bond with Kumar.
Adding to this, Rawal stated, “Film industry mein colleague hote hain, theatre mein dost hote hain, aur school mein jigar jaan dost hote hain. But film ke andar colleague hote hain". This translates to "In the film industry, we have colleagues, in theatre we have friends, and in school, we have best friends. But in film, we have colleagues".
Rawal revealed that Akshay Kumar had not seen the interview and added that Kumar is a "cool guy". He also noted that they have worked in at least 15-20 movies together and that Kumar is a "great guy to be friends with".
Both actors are currently involved in three upcoming projects together: "Bhooth Bangla," "Welcome To The Jungle," and the highly anticipated "Hera Pheri 3". These collaborations further highlight their positive working relationship and dismiss any speculation of discord.
Looking ahead, Rawal acknowledged that he would be more mindful of his words in the future, expressing his intention to communicate more clearly to avoid similar misunderstandings. "I'll be more than careful now. I'll now spell out everything, in black and white," he stated, reflecting on the challenges of being misinterpreted in the public eye.
