Actor and television host Akshay Kumar used a national entertainment platform to speak out strongly against racism faced by people from India’s Northeast, turning a moment on the quiz show Wheel of Fortune India into a powerful message on discrimination and inclusion.
The moment unfolded when a contestant shared her personal experiences of racial abuse and stereotyping faced by Northeast Indians.
Acknowledging the issue without hesitation, Kumar addressed the subject directly, stressing that such discrimination is real and deeply rooted in society.
He made the conversation more personal by inviting his makeup artist, Kim, who is from Manipur, onto the stage.
Kim recounted how he had been mocked and stereotyped, often being subjected to slurs such as “Chinese”, “Chinky” and “Momo” because of his appearance.
The account visibly affected Kumar, who said the testimony had convinced him of the seriousness of the problem.
Speaking to the audience and viewers, the actor said discrimination against people from the Northeast exists across the country and emphasised that they are as much Indian as anyone else.
He reminded the nation of the region’s contribution to India, particularly in national defence, referring to the role of Northeast regiments in major conflicts such as the Kargil War and the Bangladesh Liberation War.
“They have given their blood for this country. They are Indians,” Kumar said, underscoring that those who are often mocked for their physical features are among those who have made the greatest sacrifices for the nation.
The episode has since drawn widespread attention for transforming a mainstream reality show into a platform for social awareness, with Kumar’s remarks being widely shared and praised for addressing racism against Northeast communities in a direct and unapologetic manner.
