Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Monday shut down a Twitter user after the latter addressed him as a ‘VIP Brat’ for using a drive-in vaccination facility. 

On May 8, Farhan had announced that he had received his first shot of the Covid 19 vaccine in Mumbai. The actor tweeted, “Got my first jab today via drive through at Andheri sports complex. Thank you to @mybmc & @MumbaiPolice for the streamlined system. To those waiting their turn, the process does take 2-3 hours (for now) so please be patient. Carry water & a snack, if need be. Stay safe.” 

Farhan’s tweet had netizens raising questions on how the 47-year-old actor managed to get the jab at a drive-in centre meant for seniors/physically challenged people. 

“Thought drive-in was only for 60+ citizens. Did bmc open it for all age categories. Can anyone enlighten,” tweeted the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA).

“Can @mybmc clarify the criteria of vaccination at drive ins that enabled @FarOutAkhtar to get the jab. Or he got it bcoz he is more than equal and close 2 some?” wrote Ameet Satam, MLA Andheri West, MumbaiGeneral Secretary – Bharatiya Janata Party”

Can @mybmc clarify the criteria of vaccination at drive ins.that enabled @FarOutAkhtar to get the jab. Or he got it bcoz he is more than equal and close 2 some?

— Ameet Satam (@AmeetSatam) May 10, 2021

Several others also tweeted asking how he got the vaccine when such centres are meant exclusively for the 60-plus age group.

Finally, after facing a volley of criticism for taking the jab at a drive-in centre,  Akhtar took to social media to react to the trolling. Responding to a tweet Akhtar wrote, “The drive in is for 45 + .. now do something constructive for society with your time like losing your phone.” 

The drive in is for 45 + .. now do something constructive for society with your time like losing your phone. https://t.co/zLgyhhtQIO

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) May 10, 2021

The tweet was in response to a user who had shared a comment which read, “Another VIP brat @FarOutAkhtar gets out of turn vaccination at the drive in reserved for 60+years senior citizens…Either he is 60+, physically challenged that we do not know off, or used his status for vaccination.”

Another VIP brat @FarOutAkhtar gets out of turn vaccination at the drive in reserved for 60+years senior citizens…

Either he is 60+, physically challenged that we do not know off, or used his status for vaccination.

— mukulaggarwal (@MukulAgarwal66) May 10, 2021

For the unversed, Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) began the first drive-in vaccination facility a few days ago. 

Meanwhile, on the work front, Farhan Akhtar will be next seen in the Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directorial ‘Toofan’. The release of the film has been delayed owing to the pandemic.