The incident highlights how quickly casual online interactions can turn predatory. (Image: Gulf News)
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar opened up about a worrying personal incident to raise awareness about online dangers for children. At the launch of Cyber Awareness Month 2025 in Maharashtra, he revealed that his 13-year-old daughter, Nitara, was recently approached by an online predator during a video game. His decision to publicize this private family incident serves as a stark wake-up call about the pervasive nature of cybercrime targeting young people and guiding millions of parents to the persuasive mindset of these gamers.
Akshay Kumar narrated that the incident occurred a few months ago while his daughter was engaged in an online video game. He clarified that playing these games frequently enables users to communicate with complete strangers. An unidentified user started messaging Nitara during the session. Innocently enough, the predator asked, "Are you male or female?" to begin the conversation. After Nitara replied "Female," the interaction took a sinister and immediate turn. The next message from the user was a direct and shocking request: "Can you send me nude pictures of yours?"
When confronted with the disturbing request, Nitara showed great presence of mind. She didn’t panic or respond, but instead followed the right safety steps. Akshay shared that his daughter "switched off the whole thing," meaning she immediately turned off the game and her device. She did exactly what a child should in that moment—she immediately told her mother, Twinkle Khanna, about what happened, which stopped the situation from getting worse.
The actor used the episode to press for change in teaching children about internet threats, pointing out that it is a clear case of how cybercrime begins. He made a direct appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, requesting the introduction of a dedicated "cyber period" in schools. His idea was to make a weekly digital safety class compulsory for students of grades seven through ten, given the growing threat of online crimes.
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This revelation matters because it proves that online risks can touch any family, particularly in our country where cybercrime is common regardless of status or means. His account illustrates how quickly a seemingly normal online game can transform into a dangerous situation. By speaking out, he is putting a famous face on a widespread problem that countless children and parents face silently. His story emphasizes that vigilance and education are the first lines of defense in protecting children in the digital world.
Disclaimer: The details of this report are based solely on the public statements made by Akshay Kumar at the official event.
