Akshay Kumar thanks the frontline warriors, donates Rs45 lakh to CINTAA to help daily-wagers

With three films, Sooryavanshi, Laxmmi Bomb and Prithviraj, lined up for release this year, Akshay Kumar was set to have a busy year. While the industry and theatres have been shut indefinitely, the actor has still kept busy, raising awareness about the coronavirus pandemic and assisting those in need.

Akshay Kumar has made sure to thank those who have kept the rest of the country safe during this difficult time — the frontline warriors from medical workers to police officials to sanitation and delivery workers.

Speaking about the situation the country is in, Akshay Kumar said, “I have been doing meetings and script narrations through video calls, catching up on films and new shows, and spending time with my family. I feel we are lucky to be privileged to stay safe at home and be with our families. But, this is only possible because of our frontline warriors. I would like to sincerely thank them. It’s because of them that we are alive.”

The star, who donated Rs25 crore to the PM CARES Fund, has also assisted the daily-wage workers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He contributed Rs45 lakh to the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) for them.

In a statement to the Mid-Day newspaper, CINTAA's senior joint secretary Amit Behl said, "We are grateful to Akshay for helping in such trying times. The initiative was taken up by [an] executive committee member and actor Ayub Khan. He roped in Jaaved Jaaferi to help connect with Sajid Nadiadwala and Akshay Kumar.

"Without any delay, Akshay requested the list of our members," Behl added. "We have been receiving messages of gratitude from the 1,500 daily-wagers he helped.”

Both he and producer Sajid Nadiadwala transferred Rs3,000 into the members' bank accounts and assured CINTAA that they would help out in any way possible.

Besides the PM CARES Fund, Akshay Kumar has donated Rs2 crore to the Mumbai Police and Rs3 crore for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for personal protection equipment, masks and rapid testing kits to help them battle the pandemic.