Akshay Kumar insures 650 stunt workers following on-set death of stuntman SM Raju

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has introduced an insurance initiative for nearly 650 stunt professionals across India, offering health and accident coverage in the wake of stuntman SM Raju's death on the set of the Tamil film "Vettuvam".

The tragic incident, which occurred during a high-risk stunt sequence for "Vettuvam", directed by Pa Ranjith and starring Arya, has once again brought safety concerns in film production into sharp focus.

In response, Akshay Kumar's scheme will provide coverage for stunt performers both on and off set. Veteran action director Vikram Singh Dahiya, known for his work in "Gunjan Saxena", "Antim", "OMG 2", and upcoming titles like "Dhadak 2" and "Jigra", confirmed the development.

"Thanks to Akshay sir, around 650 to 700 stuntmen and action crew members in Bollywood are now covered under insurance. The policy includes cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 to ₹5.5 lakh, regardless of where the injury takes place," said Dahiya.

SM Raju passed away on July 13 after a car-toppling stunt went awry. A widely circulated video from the set shows the vehicle losing control mid-air and crashing violently. Although crew members rushed to the scene, Raju succumbed to his injuries before medical aid could be administered.

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The incident has sparked fresh discussions within the industry over the urgent need to strengthen safety protocols for stunt professionals.