‘I did not ignore PM Modi’: 83-year-old Anil Kumar Rastogi clarifies on viral video after Padma Shri award

After the video of him allegedly ignoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Padma Award ceremony went viral on social media, senior actor and Padma Shri awardee Anil Kumar Rastogi has given his reaction on the entire matter. Rastogi, 83, clarified that this was not any kind of deliberate behaviour, but an inadvertent mistake due to his age.

He said that he has deep respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he is hurt by the misinterpretations going viral on social media.

Controversy started from viral video

Anil Kumar Rastogi was moving towards the stage to receive the award during the Padma Award ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his hand to shake hands with him.

However, Rastogi could not pay attention to that and moved ahead. This short video of the ceremony quickly went viral on social media, after which many people started calling it ignoring or deliberate behavior of the Prime Minister.

Clarification given on social media

After the controversy escalated, Anil Kumar Rastogi shared his reaction on social media platform X.

He wrote that he was over 80 years of age and this was an inadvertent mistake entirely due to age. He said that he has utmost respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he believes that Prime Minister Modi is the most suitable person to lead the country.

He also appealed to those who are making fun of the incident not to misrepresent it.

Made a mark in both science and art fields

Anil Kumar Rastogi is not only an actor but also a distinguished scientist.

He served as the head of the Department of Biochemistry at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow. Along with scientific life, he also made equally notable contributions to theater and cinema.

His achievements in both the fields of science and art have been appreciated across the country.

Played memorable characters in more than 75 films

Anil Kumar Rastogi’s acting career spans several decades. He has acted in over 75 films, including Ishaqzaade, country, Red And slap Popular movies like.

Apart from this, he has also been a part of 14 web series and about 500 television episodes.

His contribution in the field of theater has also been very important. He acted in 99 plays and made his mark through about 1000 stage productions.

Has been honored with many prestigious honors

Anil Kumar Rastogi has received many major honors for his outstanding contribution in the field of art and culture.

He has been honored with prestigious awards like Yash Bharti Award in 2017, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2023, Patliputra Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, Abhyudaya International Shalaka Award in 2026 and Kalidas Samman.

Now the Padma Shri award is being considered as a big recognition at the national level for his long and multi-faceted contribution.

Padma Shri award became a moment of pride

Receiving the Padma Shri from President Draupadi Murmu was an important milestone in his long public life for Anil Kumar Rastogi. Although a short video of the ceremony caused controversy, after his clarification it became clear that the entire incident was just the result of an unintentional moment.

Anil Kumar Rastogi said that for him the Padma Shri award is one of the biggest achievements of life and he accepts it with full respect and humility.