Actor-producer Akshay Kumar recently released a devotional music video Mahakal Chalo, which sparked controversy after a priest association criticised the visuals of the actor hugging the Shivling, calling it “inappropriate”.

Now, the 57-year-old, who is set to play Shiva in his upcoming movie Kannappa, has broken his silence. “Since childhood, my parents taught me that Bhagwan humare maata-pita hain. So, if you hug your parents, what is wrong with that? Is there anything wrong with it? Absolutely not,” he shared during a press conference for the film.

The actor further added, “Meri bhakti ko agar koi galat samjhe, toh usmein mera koi kasoor nahin. That’s it.”

The priest association’s president, Mahesh Sharma, had earlier spoken to News18, and had stated: “While the song is good, some visuals are inappropriate. In the video, Akshay Kumar is seen embracing the Shivling, which is not acceptable. Also, the bhasma (sacred ash) is being offered in the way which doesn’t align with tradition.”