Industry supports Twinkle Khanna's gesture of auctioning Akshay's Rustom costume

Twinkle Khanna was recently trolled for putting her husband Akshay Kumar’s naval uniform, worn in the film Rustom, up for auction to raise money for an animal shelter. Many pointed out that it was disrespectful to men in the armed services, and blamed her for being insensitive to families that have lost their dear ones and are left with the uniform as the last strand of memory.  But many are also lauding her move, and appreciating the objective. In all this, it is also being pointed out that Akshay Kumar has been helping victims of Army strife in recent times.

Designer Reynu Taandon, someone for whom outfits and costumes are a matter of creativity and livelihood, feels that it’s a wonderful initiative to use them for a good cause post the production of a film or fashion show. “The costume that Akshay Kumar wore for Rustom got him a National award. It should be a matter of honour and pride that it is being auctioned for the welfare of animals, rather than just lying in the production house’s leftover inventory.”

Beauty specialist Shahnaz Husain too supports the move. She said, “If Akshay was actually serving in the Indian Navy and his uniform was auctioned, it could have been termed insensitive. But the reality is that he is not in the defence forces. He is an actor and this was his costume in the film. And his wife auctioned his costume to raise money for a good cause.”

Supermodel turned actor, Sahil Salathia lauds Twinkle for using the costume for a good cause. “It’s a great initiative. The money raised at the auction will go to an animal shelter. We need to start appreciating good initiatives and not be critical just for fun,” he said.

Actor Shama Sikander thinks it is definitely better to use costumes to help someone than keep them in storage. “I understand people have a certain emotional connection with the uniform. And I truly respect their feelings. But personally, I feel it’s the emotions that count, not the material things,” shared Sikander, adding, “I bet even the soldiers who passed away wearing their uniforms would be happy to see their material remains being put to noble use. Isn’t that what they wanted for their country? To help do something for the people.”

Performing arts is a world of make-believe that reflects and influences the mindset of the population, in ways both good and bad, believes stylist Rishi Raj.

He says, “We need to focus on the term ‘make-believe’. Actors study the characters they play and add to the authenticity through makeup, hair, mannerisms and costumes. And that’s what needs to be looked at: the fact that it is a costume being auctioned to support another wonderful cause. We truly can’t be living in an age where people don’t understand the difference between the two. It reminds me of the time when people would mob Arun Govil with aarti thalis, washing his feet as they believed him to be Lord Rama himself, and not an actor portraying him. There are movies made about all sorts of things. But to imagine that it’s real is a bit absurd. So to all those who feel that it’s disrespectful towards the defence services, I’m sure our soldiers have more things to think about than to worry about a fake costume being auctioned off, especially for a wonderful cause.”

Actor Pia Bajpai looks at it as an act for the greater good. “We all know that many people want to donate their organs after death and it’s the most kind thing to do. But that doesn’t mean that they are disrespecting the body. Rather, it’s about supporting the humanity after death and only great souls can do that.”

“If one is willing to auction a costume for an animal shelter or any other good cause, I don’t find anything wrong with it. Also, most of the costumes worn in a film get dumped in the trash after the shoot because we make so many films in a year and we can’t keep costumes like souvenirs. So, it’s better to put them to good use,” shares Bajpai.

Actor Ishita Dutta too finds it a good idea because most often costumes end up just locked in a cupboard or box. “It is a good idea to auction them for a noble purpose. And there are many who would love to buy these clothes and help with the cause. So why not?”

However, there were few who differ. Dewan, retail head, OSL Luxury Collections, said, “I think it’s really insensitive towards the emotions of the families that have lost their kith and kin, as there are other ways to raise money to help animals.”
Saggar Mehra, creative director at Sunil Mehra, too agrees that things are not mere things but can have emotions attached to them. “Only people who have lost their loved ones can understand the pain. They are feeling bad because their emotions are attached to the uniform of their dear departed one and only they know what it means to them.

However, auctioning of the actor’s uniform, which is basically a costume, wasn’t wrong either as Twinkle did it for a good cause. Indeed there is a difference between a uniform and a costume and people need to understand it and be practical,” added Mehra.

Many social media users found the concept of calling it a uniform very offensive. An Instagram user who goes by the name lajjamistry commented on Twinkle’s post, “It’s pitiful how you think you’re in a place to dismiss the hundreds of families who truly resonate with the emotion of earning or seeing a member earn the Indian Forces uniform. All they’re asking for is to not call it a ‘uniform’ auction but a ‘costume’ instead. And yes please do not make that mistake again, the world will have to read one negative comment less?? Your philanthropy doesn’t excuse your disrespect here??”

Another user by the name obscureshadow, too felt it shouldn’t be called a uniform. The user posted, “If what you’re doing is for a good cause, why don’t you contribute to that cause using the money you have earned. Considering that you are rich enough to do so. Any uniform, be it air force, naval, defence, isn’t just bought. It is earned. Also taking in the account of the number of faults with theuniform, the Kargil star, the bar curl etc. How can you evenconsider calling it a ‘Naval Uniform’. Please do re-think about these actions.” (sic)

Yogeshsinghrajput7 posted: “My father has been in service from the last 27 years to earn the badge Akshay kumar wears in the song ‘tere sang yaara’. I am sorry but selling an uniform is an insult. Call it a costume at least for god sake.” (sic)