Bollywood
Akshay Kumar Insures 650 Stunt Workers After SM Raju’s Tragic On‑Set Death
Mumbai, July 18, 2025 — In the wake of veteran stuntman SM Raju’s tragic death on July 13 while filming a high-risk car stunt for director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming Tamil film Vettuvam, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has taken a powerful step to protect the stunt community. Recognizing the dire lack of safety nets for action professionals, he has arranged health and accident insurance coverage for around 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen across India.
What the Insurance Covers
- Cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 to ₹5.5 lakh, whether injuries occur on set or off set.
- Accidental death benefit: in fatal cases, families receive a payout of approximately ₹20–25 lakh.
- The policy is administered in coordination with the Movie Stunt Artists Association, overseen by General Secretary Aejaz Khan.
History of the Initiative
Though drawing renewed attention now, Akshay Kumar’s support for the stunt community isn’t new:
- The actor has been funding this insurance initiative since around 2017, drawing from his own pocket.
- The scheme has previously provided ₹20 lakh payouts to bereaved families in at least four fatal incidents involving stunt professionals during travel.
The Incident That Sparked This Action
SM Raju—a seasoned stunt driver—was performing a high-speed car-toppling stunt in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, on July 13, 2025, when the vehicle crashed after going over a ramp and flipped onto its front. He suffered catastrophic internal injuries and did not survive.
The accident occurred despite the involvement of experienced stunt crew and purported safety protocols. Director Pa Ranjith stated that all required safety steps were followed.
Authorities have filed negligence charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Pa Ranjith, his assistant, the vehicle owner, and the shoot manager, following preliminary post-mortem findings.
Industry Reactions & Calls for Reform
- Indian actors including Vishal and Prithviraj Sukumaran publicly mourned Raju’s death, with Vishal pledging lifelong support for his family.
- Veteran stunt coordinator Lee Whittaker, known for Baahubali, condemned the accident, stressing that “the stunt should never happen if” safety is insufficient.
- The incident has reignited urgent conversations about systematic safety standards, enforceable set protocols, and structural welfare for stunt professionals in India.
Why This Matters
- Stunt professionals often work freelance, earning modest wages without formal contracts or workplace protections.
- Many pay steep fees (₹3–4 lakhs) merely for association membership, yet receive no medical insurance or death benefits.
- Akshay’s intervention highlights the discrepancy: individual goodwill fills gaps left by industry-wide neglect.
In Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger event | SM Raju’s on-set death on July 13, 2025 |
| Actor’s action | Insured ~650 stunt professionals nationwide |
| Coverage | ₹5–5.5 lakh health/accident; ₹20–25 lakh death |
| Origin | Initiative funded personally by Akshay Kumar since 2017 |
| Broader impact | Highlights urgent need for industry reforms and mandated safety provisions |
A Silver Lining Amid Tragedy
Akshay Kumar’s initiative is both a compassionate response and a call to action. While his personal efforts provide much-needed relief, the tragic circumstances of SM Raju’s death underscore the necessity of:
- Mandatory insurance coverage for production crew
- Standardized safety protocols for high-risk action sequences
- Collective industry responsibility, not just reliance on individual philanthropy
His move isn’t merely symbolic—it could serve as a blueprint for better working conditions and lasting structural change in Indian cinema.
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