Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who has been criticised for bagging the prestigious National Film Award earlier this month, says after working for 25 years in Bollywood if people still think that he doesn’t deserve the honour, they can take it away.
Akshay was named the Best Actor for his performance in the crime thriller Rustom, loosely based on the commander K.M. Nanavati case.
Asked about criticism he faced after receiving the award, the actor told media on Monday, “I have been working in the film industry for the last 25 years and I have noticed that every time whoever wins a National Award, the debate starts on who is deserving to win the award. I got it after 25 years. If you think I don’t deserve it, you can take it away.”
Introducing a special insurance scheme for all stunt artists working in Hindi film industry, he said: “I am a stuntman first before an actor. For 10 years, I worked as a stuntman in Hindi film industry before getting the opportunity of acting. So I know how stuntmen risks their lives to earn their bread. I know what it takes to risk their lives to entertain us. So I think they should get equal respect even at the award shows for their work.”
The Housefull actor along with renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr Ramakanta Panda of Asia Heart Institute, announced the insurance scheme that covers around 380 stunt artists between the age of 18 to 55 with a death compensation of INR1 million.
Emphasising the importance of the insurance, Panda said: “Akshay came to me saying how could he help these people who are doing stunts in films and get injured and need treatment. He asked me if I can reserve some beds for them.
“Since they (stunt artists) work across the country, I thought insurance would be a better help. So we manage to collaborate with the insurance company to provide the facilities.”
Known for his action films like Khiladi and Mohra, he is now being associated with movies that have a patriotic theme. Apart from Rustom, he also wore patriotism on his sleeves in films like Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, Baby and Airlift.
