I know I deserve this (National) award, says Akshay Kumar

The winners of the 64th National Award were awarded with their repsective medals at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi last evening. Principal amnog them was Akshay Kumar, who won the award for the Best Actor for Rustom (2016). It was Kumar's first national award, and the actor hit back the trolls who questioned his win on social media.

While the Rustom actor downplayed the criticism saying it had never affected him, he added,"Nothing can taint this moment. Our country and its people deserve their voice and their opinion. Just like I know I deserve this award. I’ve never felt more proud of my efforts than I do today. No amount of cyber bashing will ever change this day for me. In fact, it has been quite entertaining listening to people get their knickers in such a twist about something over which I had no control.”  The actor also admitted he had nothing but respect for his critics, “But that’s also the power of your true fans. They will always want their own Idol to be honoured the most. I will never disrespect the love people have for their favourite star. Whether they are with me or against me, I’m happy with what I’ve got and how I’ve got here.”

Kumar was accompanied by wifeTwinkle Khanna and son Aarav, who were all dressed in traditional attires.

The actor posted this family picture on his Instagram account

Describing the moments before received his honour, Kumar said, “To finally take my last few steps towards the President of India to receive my National Award felt almost unreal. I’ve never felt so light and so humbled at the same time. When one works day in and day out, as I do, something like this isn’t just an honour. It’s a moment in time where everything makes sense. No matter how hard the journey may have been, to stand here now, in front of my family, is the cherry on this almighty cake we call life.”.

Akshay Kumar had a great 2016 scoring hat-trick of 100 crore films with Airlift, Rustom and Housefull 3 all doing well at the box office. The actor will be seen in the upcoming Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, alongside Bhumi Pednekar. Kumar has also signed on for Reema Kagti's Gold, a film about the first hockey team from independent India to win an Olympic gold medal. In addition, Kumar is also set to play Gulshan Kumar, in a biopic on the music mogul.