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Soon after Akshay Kumar visited an ailing R. K. Laxman at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, a section of the Twitterati lambasted him for 'using’ the cartoonist to promote his film Khatta Meetha . In the film, Akshay’s character Sachin Tichkule is reportedly based on Laxman’s famous 'common man’. As soon as a section of the media and the Twitter brigade criticised Akshay’s timing to visit Laxman, he shot back saying he was there on the invitation of the cartoonist’s family. But Laxman’s family did not confirm inviting Akshay.

While Akshay’s move to drop in at Laxman’s hospital room is increasingly being seen as a promotional gimmick for Khatta Meetha that has left a bitter aftertaste, it has also sent the film’s cast and crew in a defensive mode.

“ The film is a remake of a Malayalam hit, Vellanakalude Naadu, starring Mohanlal that was made in 1988,” said Akshay’s costar Trisha, who makes her Bollywood debut with this film.

Trisha’s claim is in contrast to Akshay’s earlier statement that Sachin Tichkule is based on Laxman’s common man.

In the meantime, those who have criticised Akshay’s move point out that it is fine for him to visit the creator of his character’s ‘inspiration’ in hospital. But the actor or others in the film’s crew have hardly mentioned Laxman’s name during the film’s pre-release publicity.

What’s even more appaling is a report that appeared in a daily stating that Laxman didn’t even know who Sachin Tichkule is, nor did he recognise Akshay Kumar when the actor visited him. In fact, the cartoonist is in frail condition, unable to speak or move.

The Twitter war over Akshay’s visit, and the hint that this could just be a publicity stunt, broke out when film journalist Rajeev Masand wrote this about Akshay: “Need innovative ideas to promote films in competitive times. But Akshay Kumar grinning like a jackass at Laxman’s hospital bed is a new low.”

The comment elicited a furious reaction from Amitabh Bachchan, who pointed out that had Akshay called Masand a jackass, most in the journalistic fraternity would have been baying for the actor’s blood.

“Ever thought if the reverse were to be done... would your fraternity have spared Akshay if he were to address you as one?” Bachchan tweeted.

Masand’s reaction to Bachchan’s comment has been sharp: “ Don’t remember your (Bachchan) fraternity pulling you up for the attack on photographers by security outside your house during Abhishek’s wedding.

Or when Abhishek 'allegedly’ bashed up a photographer on a film set. But your concern sir, is the use of the term 'jackass’.” One showbiz personality who seems to agree with the journalist is Nikhil Chinappa. “ U r absolutely ryt... He is a jackass, bloody idiot Akshay (sic),” Nikhil tweeted.

All of it is of course garnering plenty of free publicity for the film.