Lucknow: Veteran actor Anil Rastogi on Wednesday clarified over a viral clip from the Padma Awards ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was conferred the Padma Shri.The clip which went viral on social media showed Rastogi walking up to receive his Padma Shri on Tuesday while appearing to miss a handshake offered by the PM. Rastogi instead greeted PM Modi with folded hands. Some social media users trolled Rastogi saying he had “ignored” the PM.Responding to the criticism, Rastogi said it was an oversight on his part owing to his advanced age. “For all those making fun, I’m a man of 80+ years, this was an oversight on my part due to my age. I have huge respect for our PM and feel that he is the best choice we currently have for running the country,” the veteran actor said.“It was completely unintentional and stemmed from the overwhelming emotions he experienced during the ceremony. It is very unfortunate that all the attention is on the moment when I did not shake hands with the PM. I came to know about the controversy after reaching my hotel,” he said.Calling the award a landmark achievement in his life, Rastogi added, “I was anxious and overwhelmed. In that state, I missed the PM’s outstretched hand. It does not mean I do not respect him. It was completely unintentional.”
