Shekhar Suman apologises to Akshay for `Chandni Chowk...` comments

Mumbai, Jan 25: TV celebrity Shekhar Suman, who panned Akshay Kumar and his latest release "Chandni Chowk To China" as the "worst film made in the history of Indian cinema", has apologised to the star."It was never my intention to offend Akshay. And if I`ve done so then I`ve no hesitation in saying sorry. Akshay is too much of a good soul for me to hurt him. He should`ve realised my comments had nothing personal about them," Shekhar told reporters.

After watching "Chandni Chowk To China", Shekhar apparently said: "It will go down as the worst film ever made in Indian history. What an utter waste of Rs400 that I spent on my ticket. I want a refund of all Akshay films that I`ve seen. The film is not just disappointing and amateurish but offends one`s sensibility as well. I declare January 16 to be declared National Mourning in India, as it`s the day cinema died." "I`m upset with Akshay for doing such a film. He`s lost it after seeing success. Akshay was better when he wasn`t in the race... now his brains have turned topsy-turvy. I think Shah Rukh must be having the last laugh... Akshay said somewhere that SRK`s not in the race but he (Akki) is already at the finishing line," Shekhar had said. The actor says he is taken aback by the backlash to his tongue-lash. "I never knew my opinion would matter so much. I reacted as an outraged viewer. I`ve always admired Akshay Kumar`s resilient climb from the bottom rung to the top of ladder. In fact, I tell my son Adhyayan that Akshay Kumar is a role model to follow. Self-made superstar." Sadly a section of Akshay`s supporters, including the "Chandni Chowk To China" director Nikhil Advani, saw Shekhar`s comments as below-the-belt attempts to get publicity for Adhyayan`s release "Raaz 2". The film released Friday. But Shekhar laughed off this accusation. "My son is talented enough to do without such cheap props. We don`t need to use big names to get noticed. Adhyayan`s performance in "Raaz 2" will speak for itself. I`d say exactly what I did about `Chandni Chowk...` even if my son`s film wasn`t releasing." IANS