A big heart does big things: Akshay Kumar effects Insurance Scheme For Stuntmen

The Khiladi actor has been highly vocal about his concerns for the army men and martyrs who sacrifice their lives for the sake of their countrymen. Not long ago, the actor surfaced an open app and website categorically curated to provide direct monetary funding to martyr’s families.

The actor’s initiative also brought the government in full support of the move. The Bharat ke Veer app and website are currently live and have garnered an overwhelming response.

Post the Bangalore’s rape incident which engendered an alarming call for the whole country, the actor teamed up with Taapsee Pannu to teach a brilliant self-defense trick to all the girls out there.

The compassionate actor also got vocal about the condition of stunt men and stunt women in the film industry. He sent out a touching letter (See below) which was followed by a insured shoot time for these lion-hearted performers . Reportedly, the attempts are brewing good results. More than 380 stuntmen are reported to become the beneficiaries of this scheme, which will also cover women of age group 18 to 55 years.

Initially, requests were sent to many people of the industry to insure stuntmen. However, the idea was ridiculed by many while others refused to provide any aid to the stuntmen. Gradually, Akshay Kumar showed great interest in this cause. He devised a special scheme for this purpose as he teamed up with prominent cardiac surgeon Dr Ramakanta.

A big heart does big things. Akshay Kumar justified his Khiladi image and became an epitome of charity and selfless contribution to the society. In case of injury on sets, the stuntman will be covered for Rs. 6 lakhs in almost 4000 hospitals. In the case of death, the stuntman’s family will be granted a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs. Payments at such hospitals will be backed by digital mode, i.e. cashless mode will be adopted, thereby ensuring transparency and effectiveness of the system.

Here is the letter which Akshay wrote with regard to all the stuntmen whose contributions are not as widely known; who are not celebrated like actors in the industry. Have a look at this open letter:

To all the stuntmen and women out there, I just heard another great international stuntman, who has actually worked in my own industry, and was going to come and train with me has sadly passed away. I not only believe you all should be winning Oscars or Indian awards for your incredible work, in my eyes, you should also be acknowledged globally for saving our lives and the credibility of our films. It pains me, because I know the one expert that an actor/actress can’t live without, during their shoot, is their stuntbuddy. Hadn’t it been for your unbelievable hard work and amazing talent that make our movies look good and help us earn so much, we would be mourning the death of so many actors/actresses.

Instead, the stunt community is quietly mourning the ones they’ve lost, be it by accident, injury or fatality on the sets of award-winning films over the years. I know winning an award still isn’t enough for what you all painfully go through for these million-dollar projects, but it would be a small start. Sadly, the ­fraternity is barely even honouring you with that. I just want you to know, coming from a stuntman/actor like myself, I admire, respect, honour and am eternally grateful for everything that you all do. My children still have their father in one piece because there is always someone prepared to take the fall that I may not be able to. To all the stuntmen and women I have ever worked alongside, around the world, you are always in my and my family’s prayers. You deserve so much more than just a wage packet, and I hope I live long enough to see a change in that. I know that in my 25-yearlong career nothing much has changed! But it will, and I will try and make sure of that… Till then Thank You and take great care. Good luck with the fight for your rights… RIP to all those who have lost their lives.

Love & Prayers

AK the Actor/AK the stuntman…

 

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