Amitabh Bachchan defends Akshay Kumar

No respite in the war of words between critics and film celebs. Just days after director Puneet Malhotra took on fashionista Shobhaa De for her fiery, acerbic review of I Hate Luv Storys, it’s Amitabh Bachchan blasting Rajeev Masand, the film critic for CNN-IBN.

Now, Rajeev who’s not given very charitable reviews of Akshay Kumar’s comedy films for a long time, called the actor a ‘jackass’ for grinning beside the frail cartoonist RK Laxman on a hospital bed while promoting his upcoming film Khatta Meetha.

“Need innovative ideas 2 promote films in competitive times. But Akshay Kumar grinning like a jackass at RKLaxman's hospital bed is a new low,” Masand wrote on Twitter.

The comment obviously did not go down well with Amitabh Bachchan who promptly jumped to Akshay’s defence.

The superstar tweeted to Masand: “Rajeev! Your fraternity will never pull you up for calling Akshay a 'jackass'. Ever thought if the reverse were to be done ... would your fraternity have spared Akshay if he were to address you as one..?? Never expected this language from you!!”

Akshay, who plays a common man stuck in a corrupt system in Khatta Meetha, hit the road on Sunday to promote the film. He not just inspected the roads, but also paid a visit to RK Laxman in Breach Candy Hospital. Mr. Laxman is recuperating since his stroke last month. Critics think it’s insensitive of Akshay to be grinning alongside the highly respected cartoonist - a Padma Vibhushan winner - who is still in frail health and is deprived of speech.