Bengaluru: Actor Prakash Raj clarified that he had no intention of returning the awards given in recognition of his talent. Raj's clarification follows his remark on Sunday that politicians like UP CM Yogi Adityanath are bigger actors and they deserved the national awards given to him.

On Sunday, the actor lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder being celebrated by his followers. He said that the PM’s silence on his ‘followers’ celebrating the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh was akin to an “actor trying to please his followers”.

Speaking after inaugurating the 11th state meet of the Left-oriented Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) here, Prakash Raj said that Mr Modi by remaining silent on his followers’ actions, was only proving a point that “he is trying to become a bigger actor than me”.

“Gauri’s killers have not been caught yet. But what is more disappointing is people celebrating her murder over social media spreading hatred,” the popular South Indian actor said adding that "we all know who they are, what their ideology is. Some of those celebrating this ghastly episode are being followed by none other than Mr Modi himself. This is what worries me, where is our country is headed to?”

“I am worried about the PM’s silence. Is he trying to endorse cruelty espoused by some of his followers,” he questioned and added that he does not mind returning his five national film awards to Mr Modi if he continues to remain silent on such cruelty.