Bollywood heartthrob, Akshay Kumar, who is Canada’s high profile tourism ambassador to India is under the gun after animal rights activists accused him of hosting a reality TV show that they say is “cruel and mistreats” animals.
The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) has objected to what it termed “cruelty and mistreatment” of animals on the reality show “Khatron Ke Khiladi-4”, hosted by Kumar.
Khatron Ke Khiladi is an Indian stunt/dare reality game show based on US hit Fear Factor.
FIAPO has shot off a letter to Naresh Chahal, director (finance) of the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) of India, on how the show, aired on Colors TV, has been airing stunts involving leopards, lions, crocodiles and ostriches.
“The show has been depicting cruelty and mistreatment of such animals by teasing them, either physically or with food,” FIAPO co-ordinator Alokparna Sengupta said in its letter.
The FIAPO has also directly criticised Akshay Kumar.
“Akshay Kumar has been a role model for millions of children and young people. Instead of participating in and promoting such cruel stunts, he should reach out to his audience with a positive message about animals and teach that action is not about taunting or hurting another being, be it human or non-human,” Sengupta said.
He pointed out that as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, any person desirous of training or exhibiting a performing animal has to apply for registration to the prescribed authority and cannot exhibit or train any animal as a performing animal without the registration. Also, performances by lions, tigers, leopards, monkeys and bears is prohibited.
According to FIAPO, shows like “Khatron Ke Khiladi” exploit animals by shooting in countries that do not have progressive laws to protect animals.
“Since we do not allow this type of mistreatment to take place in our country, we should not allow it to take place on our airwaves. We request you to issue directions to the producers of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ to refrain from showing such stunts,” Sengupta urged the BCCC.
In Vancouver, Shilpa Kaur, a huge fan of Kumar, said the animal rights activists in India are trying create a controversy out of nothing.
“I don’t believe for one moment that he will be involved with anything that hurts animals..He is a hero to millions of people worldwide,” said Kaur.
Canadian animal rights advocate, Jenny Lim said the Canadian authorities should investigate the claims made by FIAPO.
“Canadians are among world leaders when it comes to the welfare of animals..People come from all over the world to see our wildlife..if this is true, it will be an  embarrassment for us to have someone represent Canada who abuses animals for profit,” she said.
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) appointed Kumar to serve in a special high-profile tourism role until summer 2012. In doing so, he will make a number of promotional appearances in India and Canada, as well as making familiarization trips around the latter—guaranteed to get extensive Indian media pick-up.
India is one of CTC’s key international markets: tourism to Canada has grown 11% year on year since 2000. Last year saw even more startling expansion, with more than 130,000 Indian visitors passing through Canadian passport control, a 20% surge on 2009.
The CTC it seems does not want to get dragged into the controversy. In an email response to the South Asian Post, an official said : “ Akshay Kumar is the CTC’s tourism ambassador for India and leverages his celebrity status in India to promote Canada as a premier four-season destination. If you would like further information about tourism to Canada from India, I would be happy to help.”
Kumar has genuinely close ties to Canada said the CTC in a press release. He has shot several movies here and supports various Canadian causes, including the Trillium Health Centre, a community hospital in Mississauga. In 2008, the University of Windsor, ON, awarded him an honorary doctorate of law for his contribution to Indian cinema.
“We’re already seeing impressive growth from the India market, so we are especially pleased to have Akshay on board as CTC’s ambassador to India,” says Derek Galpin, CTC managing director, China and India. “Having a superstar of his calibre will give Canada’s profile a major boost in India and his journeys around our country will highlight the amazing experiences that Indian travellers can look forward to.”
From carrying the Olympic Torch through the streets of Toronto last December to being announced as Canada’s first Ambassador to India this morning, the journey has been extra-ordinary for Akshay Kumar in Canada.
Akshay  had the honour of hosting the Prime Ministers’ of India and Canada at a prestigious Indo-Canadian Gala a few months ago.
Michele Mckenzie, President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission introduced Akshay being the sexiest man alive, India’s Jackie Chan and a pop star. Later when Akshay was asked if he preferred the title “Your Highness” going forward from this facilitation, the humble actor jokingly answered ‘I prefer pop star.’
As a part of his new role to promote Canada as a premier four season destination, Akshay will go on familiarization trips across Canada which will be captured and documented. In fact, it may become a family outing with wife Twinkle possibly joining him, Indian media reported.
In a recent article published in India, Kumar was described as “genuinely fearless” when working with animals and doing stunts.
“For Akshay, a full grown lion was brought out because we wanted a macho look for him. Akshay didn’t even blink. He calmly checked with the trainer how the animal was to be handled, held the lion and gave several shots like he was posing with his pet dog,” the writer enthused.
While this was going on, a fierce black panther was pacing up and down its cage, growling restlessly. Perhaps the strangers disturbing his afternoon break didn’t go down well with him. Secure with the thick bars between us, I watched the panther and shivered in the blazing noon heat when his cold, green eyes stared out of the cage.
Imagine the collective surprise when Akshay heard about the animal and asked to see him. This time even the circus people were not sure that the black panther should be let out of his cage. But once again, Akshay called for his trainer and took precise instructions on how exactly he should be held. He was told that it had to be a tight hold from behind without the animal seeing him.
Unbelievably, when the panther was brought to the spot by the trainer and made to sit, Akshay made sure the camera was ready, coolly sat behind the animal, let the trainer move out of the frame and quickly held the deadly black one for a beautiful shot.
That was one time one held one’s breath and could exhale only after the shot was over and the panther was led back to its cage.
You hear of ‘macho’ heroes being afraid of even horses. But whether it is a benign elephant at the premiere of Thank You or a menacing panther, Akshay is comfortable with all animals and quite unafraid. “
Lately Kumar was reported to be  donning the role of a producer in Hollywood film starring Canadian-born Emily Van Camp and directed by Robert Lieberman.