Stuntman SM Raju’s tragic death on the set of director Pa Ranjith’s Tamil film has once again spotlighted the grave risks stunt artists face in Indian cinema.
Despite the high-adrenaline action sequences they help create, most stunt performers in India work without basic insurance or safety measures in place.
Raju’s untimely demise has triggered a nationwide outcry about the lack of protection for these unsung heroes.
In a powerful and much-needed move, Bollywood’s action icon Akshay Kumar has stepped up to address this long-standing issue.
Known for performing most of his own stunts without a body double, Akshay has taken the initiative to insure around 650–700 stuntmen and action crew members across India.
Renowned action director Vikram Singh Dahiya revealed in an interview with India Today that Akshay’s support covers both health and accident insurance.
Injured stunt artists are now eligible for cashless treatment worth ₹5–5.5 lakhs, while in case of an unfortunate death, their families will receive compensation of ₹20–25 lakhs.
Right now, with no official safety net in place for stunt performers, Akshay Kumar’s efforts might just be the lifeline India’s action crews have long needed. But for how long? That remains a question.
