Legal notice to Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna over auction of Rustom costume uniform 

Actor Akshay Kumar and his wife and producer Twinkle Khanna’s decision to auction the navy uniform worn by Akshay in the film Rustom (2016) has landed them in a legal soup. The couple has been sent a legal notice, as reported by IANS. The move has supposedly not gone down well with army personnel. In the notice, the complainant has alleged that Akshay's move has hurt the sentiments of armed forces personnel and widows of fallen soldiers.

An article in the portal defencelover.in claimed that 20 officers including, 11 serving army officers, seven retired army officers, one air force officer and one navy wife have sent a legal notice to Akshay and Khanna to stop the auction of the naval uniform. They have forwarded a copy of the notice to defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

The officers feel that the auctioned uniform can fall into wrong hands and pose a security threat.

“Akshay Kumar’s 'Rustom Naval Officer Uniform' poses a potential grave threat to national security, as the said uniform, insignia, and badges, could pass for genuine service clothing, and can find their way to anti-social elements who can potentially use it foment trouble [sic],” the notice stated.

The notice pointed out that after the Pathankhot terror attack in 2016, the army had issued a press release asking civilians across the country to not wear or buy army patterned clothing, and urged merchants to stop their sale.

“That by putting in auction the ‘Akshay Kumar Rustom Naval Officers Uniform’ you have shown no respect for national interest but have also played the sentiments of armed forces personnel and their widows including my clients, who are retired, as well as serving armed officers [sic],” it was further stated in the notice.

The notice has also been sent to SaltScout, that conducted the auction. As of now, the uniform (including shirt, trouser and cap) has fetched Rs2,35,000. Akshay was going to donate the proceeds to an NGO working for the welfare of animals.