Akshay Kumar Does The Impossible – Starts Insurance Scheme For Stunt Artists In Bollywood

We, as the audience sometimes forget that most of the stunts that happen on the screen are done by stuntmen and stuntwomen. Very few actors do their own stunts. Most of the times actors are not allowed to do stunts. Because the world of stunts is extremely dangerous, especially in the Indian film industry. Stuntmen and women have lost their lives trying to make an action scene look good.

They have never received the appreciation from either the audience or the industry. Until now.

In a literal groundbreaking act, Akshay Kumar has spearheaded an initiative where Bollywood is going to start an insurance scheme for the stuntmen and women. The plan, thought by Akshay and Dr Ramakanta Panda will cover 380 stunt men and women.

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You have to remember that, this is the first time in over 50 years of the Indian film industry that stunt artists are finally acknowledged and given equal respect as that of the other artists.

This is perhaps because Akshay Kumar himself started as a stunt artist and empathises with the difficulties stunt artists face on a daily basis.

 

Stunt artists had earlier appealed to studios and producers for similar insurance schemes, but they were always rejected. That is why, Ejaz Gulab, the general secretary of Movie Stunt Artist Association, says that Akshay Kumar did the impossible.

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“they didn’t agree to provide insurance to us. It was very demoralising, but we don’t know what magic wand Akshayji has used. We can’t thank him enough, as it has come as great news for us.”

 

Every stuntman will be covered for Rs. 6 lakhs in over 4000 hospitals across the country. And in the case of a death, Rs. 10 lakhs will be given to the next of kin.

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“Stuntmen are also human beings and they also have families. If they are insured, they can also be more confident and put in their best without holding themselves back.”

Which is right. Now there is more incentive and motivation for the stunt artists to perform their stunts in a better way.

It is incredible how Bollywood did not go for such a move a few decades ago. Because a stunt artist’s life is also just as precious as the actor’s.

It’s very kind hearted of Akshay Kumar to recognise this fact and finally do something constructive about it.

News Source – Hindustan Times

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