Akshay Kumar Provides Health and Accident Coverage to 650 Stunt Workers

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has taken a strong stand for the welfare of stunt performers by offering health and accident insurance to more than 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen across India. The decision to bring attention to this insurance programme gained fresh recognition after the untimely death of senior stuntman SM Raju during a shoot in Chennai, raising questions about safety for action artists in the film industry.

Akshay Kumar, known for his action-packed roles and his deep respect for stunt crews, has been quietly funding this group insurance initiative for many years. “They risk their lives every day to make action scenes look real. This is the least we can do for them,” the actor had earlier said while speaking about stunt safety.

According to reports, the insurance cover supported by Akshay provides up to ₹5 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh for hospitalisation costs related to injuries—whether they occur on set or outside. If a stunt performer loses their life due to an accident, the nominee receives ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh under the plan.

Veteran stunt coordinator Vikram Dahiya confirmed that many families have already benefited from the insurance policy. “Several of our comrades were able to receive urgent medical treatment without delay. In a few tragic cases, the family of the deceased was supported financially. We are grateful to Akshay sir for standing with us,” he said while speaking to the media.

The initiative is being operated with the coordination of the Movie Stunt Artists Association, which looks after workers in the Hindi film industry’s stunt departments. They pointed out that most stunt performers do not have permanent contracts, fixed salaries or medical benefits, making such insurance a rare and welcome relief.

Following the tragic passing of SM Raju during a difficult shoot in Tamil Nadu, Akshay Kumar renewed his appeal for improved safety standards on sets. Expressing sorrow over the incident, he stated in a recent post, “It is painful to lose someone from the stunt community. There should be strong safety rules and proper planning before any dangerous scene is carried out.”

Many industry voices have come forward in support of Akshay’s efforts, saying this move shows the way for others in Bollywood to think about the welfare of behind-the-scenes staff who often go unnoticed. A stuntman with 18 years of experience, Raju Thakur, shared, “Having this insurance gives us a sense of security. We now know that our families will not be left helpless if something happens to us.”

Akshay Kumar’s ongoing support is seen not just as financial aid but as a signal of solidarity with some of the industry’s most vulnerable workers. Those in the action community believe the government and producers’ bodies should now join hands to bring in larger, industry-wide reforms.

For now, Akshay Kumar’s gesture stands as an important reminder that stunt performers are not just background crew, but real-life heroes who deserve all the protection, respect and recognition that the industry can offer.

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