Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The untimely death of stuntman SM Raju during the shooting of a Tamil film stunned the Indian film industry. The tragedy occurred recently during the filming of Vettuvam, which was directed by Pa Ranjith and stars Arya. Raju was performing a motor trick when the vehicle became airborne and crashed. The team hurried him to the hospital, where he died. Despite the lack of obvious wounds, a postmortem examination revealed major damage, including internal bleeding in the skull. Vishal, an actor who has collaborated with Raju on multiple productions, shared the sad news through his social media.
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Following this incident, a negligence complaint was filed against director Pa Ranjith and three others. The accident revealed the lack of safety and protection for stunt performers in Indian movies. However, as an immediate response to the tragedy, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar came up with a significant project. Accordingly, Kumar, popular for doing his own stunts, has obtained insurance coverage for over 650 stunt artists around the country. This covers both men and women who work in high-risk positions behind the scenes on film sets.
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The insurance plan covers both health and accident claims, offering cashless medical treatment worth ₹5 to ₹5.5 lakh. This applies whether the injury occurs during a shoot or outside of work. Speaking to media, a veteran stunt coordinator expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks to Akshay sir, around 650 to 700 stuntmen and action crew members in Bollywood are now covered under insurance.”
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For years, the importance of stunt performers’ safety and insurance coverage has been debated, but little action has been taken until recently. Neither the government nor the film industry have established a framework to protect these workers. As a result, Akshay Kumar’s decision is being hailed as a lifeline for an underrepresented sector in this business. Furthermore, stunt work is one of the most dangerous professions in movies. Accordingly, Kumar believes that by providing this insurance, he can provide artists and their families some relief and peace of mind. His approach establishes a precedent and has spurred debate about accountability and the critical need for enhanced safety protocols on set.
