While they stated as having no problem about the content of the film, they were upset that Akshay Kumar, despite hailing from Punjab and being a Punjabi himself, had not spoken for the farmers during the Punjab farmers’ agitation.
The protesters were shouting loudly even against those who had gone to watch the movie. “Akshay Kumar di film dekhne walon, sharm karo [Shame on those of you who’ve watched Akshay Kumar’s film].”
A representative of the farmers commented that they do not want to let the film screen at all. “We will not allow Akshay’s movie to screen in the movie theatres in Punjab and we are giving a warning to the district authorities to stop the screening of the film. Otherwise, we will find a way to stop the screening,” he said.
It may be recalled that when the Ministry of External Affairs had asked Akshay to tweet on the farmer’s issue, Akshay had tweeted, “Farmers constitute an extremely important part of our country. And the efforts being undertaken to resolve their issues are evident. Let’s support an amicable resolution, rather than paying attention to anyone creating differences.”
This tweet also had not gone down well with the farmers. Presently, Bell Bottom, which had to release in the pandemic, has not at all lived up to expectations in India despite the theatres having opened. It has collected just over `17 crore in a week’s time. The film certification authorities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also prohibited the exhibition of Bell Bottom for allegedly tampering with historical facts.
