Summary of the News Article

Bollywood has made significant strides in improving the safety of stunt professionals, largely due to actor Akshay Kumar. Recently, India Today highlighted how Kumar’s 2017 initiative introduced health and accident insurance for around 650 stunt crew members. This covers cashless treatments up to ₹5–5.5 lakh and offers ₹20–25 lakh to nominees in the event of a fatality. The move marks a vital safety net in an industry where such protections were once non-existent

---

1. Why This Matters: The Dark Side of Glamour

Think about it—every explosive fight, high-speed chase, and hair-raising jump in Bollywood involves real people placing their bodies on the line. These stunt professionals put in endless work, often unseen. Yet until recently, most of them had no insurance. Imagine risking your life with zero safety net. That void inspired Akshay Kumar to act—literally and figuratively—and launch an insurance scheme in 2017 that now safeguards hundreds.

---

2. The Genesis: How It Began

Back in 2017, as stunt performers continued to face hazards with little protection, Kumar—armed with martial arts training and empathy—teamed up with Dr. Ramakanta Panda and ICICI Lombard to build a safety net . Officially, the scheme now covers approximately 650 stunt pros, offering:

• Health and accident insurance up to ₹5–5.5 lakh with cashless benefits,
• Nominee payouts of ₹20–25 lakh on fatality,
• Coverage regardless of whether the accident happens on or off set

That’s real peace of mind—for the stunt crew and their families.

---

3. What Stunt Work Looks Like in Bollywood

Let’s be honest—Bollywood stunts are gritty, not CGI-laden spectacles. Action director Vikram Singh Dahiya breaks it down:

• Car flips happen at 30–40 km/hr with roll cages and harnesses, yet still throw out shock.
• Fuel tanks are loaded just enough—one wrong calculation, and disaster looms.
• Every underwater fall, flame, or wire-pulled drop is a tightrope walk between success and catastrophe

Behind those thrilling scenes are humans enduring immense pressure. This isn’t just movie magic—it’s bravery laced with danger.

---

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who funds the stunt insurance scheme?
The premiums are entirely funded by Akshay Kumar, who began the initiative in 2017

2. What does the policy cover?
Includes cashless medical treatment up to ₹5–5.5 lakh and a ₹20–25 lakh payout to the nominee in case of accidental death

3. How many stunt professionals are covered?
Roughly 650 stuntmen and women, a significant jump from the original 380 covered when the scheme started

4. Can veterans above 55 join?
Currently, no. However, there’s growing appeal for extending coverage to experienced stunt coordinators beyond age limits .

5. Is this scheme unique in India?
Yes—no other Bollywood actor or regional industry has funded a stunt insurance scheme at this scale. It’s trailblazing .

---