Akshay Kumar. / Wikipedia

Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood's most beloved stars, has been making headlines for his philanthropic efforts for years. But what's even more remarkable is that his entire family is involved in charitable activities, making them a true force for good in the world.

When one says Akshay Kumar, there are many images that float right into the head, some of them have him hanging by a helicopter, some of them have him kicking 8 men at a go, some of them have his romancing pretty girls but almost all of them have him living a life, larger than what one knows is humanly possible. That's his star status, his charm and his charisma, but there is much more to him than meets the eye. For instance, he hardly ever speaks about the philanthropic work that truly makes him the real hero. As an ode to the man and his kindness, Bollywood Insider takes a peek into the life of Akshay Kumar the man, beyond cinema.

Akshay Kumar has been a vocal advocate for various social causes, using his brand equity to raise awareness and drive change. Here are some specific instances of his charitable efforts: On Aug.15, 2019, Kumar visited the Indian Army's Northern Command in Jammu and Kashmir, where he interacted with soldiers and their families. He donated $137,000 (Rs 1 crore) to the Army's welfare fund, which supports the families of martyred soldiers. On Oct.2, 2018, Kumar visited the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, where he spent time with cancer patients and distributed gifts. He donated $28752 (Rs 25 lakh) to the hospital, which provides free cancer treatment to underprivileged patients. On Jan.26, 2017, Kumar donated Rs 1 crore to the Maharashtra government's drought relief fund. But he is not alone in his quest to make India a better place.

Twinkle Khanna, actress, entrepreneur, writer and Kumar's wife, is also a dedicated philanthropist. While they do their charity work on the quiet, here are some instances of her charitable efforts: On March 8, 2019, Khanna participated in a panel discussion on women's empowerment at the Akshara Centre in Mumbai. On Oct.11, 2018, Khanna donated $5750 (Rs 5 lakh) to the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) in Mumbai. On Aug.29, 2017, Khanna visited the St. Jude India Child Care Centres in Mumbai, where she spent time with children suffering from cancer.

His children sure seem to be taking a cue from the way their parents are leading their lives. 22 years old, Aarav Kumar, Kumar's son, has also been involved in charitable activities. Here are some specific instances: On Nov.14, 2017, Aarav participated in a fundraising event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Mumbai. The event raised a whopping $11501 (Rs 10 lakh) for the foundation, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. On Jan.26, 2016, Aarav visited the Bal Asha Trust in Mumbai, where he spent time with underprivileged children. Nitara Kumar, Kumar's daughter, might only be 11 but that hasn't stopped her from being involved in charitable activities. Few know that on Jan.26, 2018, Nitara visited an orphanage in Mumbai, where she distributed gifts and spent time with the children. On Aug.15, 2017, Nitara participated in a charity event organized by the Akshay Kumar Foundation in Mumbai. The event raised Rs $5750 (5 lakh) for the foundation, which supports education and healthcare initiatives for underprivileged children.

Akshay Kumar and his family's charitable activities are a testament to their commitment to giving back to society. Through their philanthropic efforts, they have inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps. As a true force for good in the world, the Kumar family continues to make a positive impact on the lives of countless people in need.

Akshay Kumar has been a part of the Indian film industry for over 29 years, appearing in over 100 films and winning several awards. But what makes him a true hero is his commitment to giving back to society. In 2015, Kumar donated $112,000 (Rs 90 lakh) to help 180 families of farmers who had committed suicide due to drought in Maharashtra. Many farmers, unable to cope with the financial burden and emotional stress, took their own lives. This heartbreaking situation highlighted the need for immediate support and aid. In response to this crisis, Kumar donated $112,000 (Rs 90 lakh) to support the families of the farmers who had committed suicide. 

This generous donation aimed to provide financial assistance and relief to 180 affected families. The financial support helped them to not only cover immediate expenses but assisted families in covering essential expenses, such as food, medical care, and education. With the kindness and finance shared by Akshay, the families were able to rebuild their lives, including restarting their farming activities or exploring alternative livelihoods. But Kumar didn't stop at that. The actor understood the need for families to cope with emotional trauma that their losses caused them. So he ensured that the donation also helped families access counselling and emotional support to cope with the trauma of losing a loved one.

In 2015, Kumar contributed to Chennai's flood relief funds. The floods resulted in widespread destruction. Thousands of homes, businesses, and infrastructure were damaged or destroyed. Many people lost their lives due to the floods. Those who survived weren't having it any easy, millions of people were displaced, forced to seek shelter in relief camps. In response to this crisis, Kumar donated $137,000 (Rs 1 crore)  to support Chennai's flood relief efforts. This significant contribution aimed to provide aid to those affected by the floods. Kumar's donation had a substantial impact on the relief efforts providing essential supplies. The donation helped provide food, water, shelter, and medical care to those affected. The funds contributed to the rehabilitation of affected communities, including rebuilding homes and restoring infrastructure.

Kumar's donation served as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to contribute to the relief efforts. Only a few years ago, Kumar started the trend of donating to the PM Care fund. The purpose of the PM Care Fund was to set up a public charitable trust to provide relief during emergencies and distress situations, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund accepts donations from individuals and organizations, which are then utilized to support various initiatives, such as healthcare infrastructure, medical research, and providing aid to affected individuals and families. Kumar's donation is a notable example of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.

Standing by one's nation has always been Akshay's priority, the actor also donated $10,350 (Rs 9 lakh) each to the families of the CRPF jawans who were martyred in a Naxalite ambush near Chhattisgarh. Kumar's generous donation of $10,350 (Rs 9 lakh) each to the families of 12 CRPF jawans who lost their lives. His act of kindness not only provided financial support and comfort to the families of the martyred jawans, but also helped them cope with their irreparable loss by reducing their worries and giving them a sense of security and stability. Kumar's experience with donating to the families of CRPF jawans inspired him to create the Bharat Ke Veer app and website, which allows people to donate to the families of martyred soldiers. One thing is evident that Akshay's heart beats for the nation, no wonder he was amongst the few who gave up their dual citizenship and embraced his love for India.

As if this wasn't overwhelming already, even through his film.

Akshay is always aiming for a better tomorrow. His 2017 film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha highlighted the issue of open defecation in rural India and encouraged people to build toilets. Kumar also devised an insurance scheme for 380 stuntmen and stuntwomen in the film industry, providing them with financial security. Kumar's Soil Health Card Initiative aims to educate farmers about the importance of checking their soil health every two years. Kumar runs a martial art school for girls, providing them with free self-defense training. Akshay Kumar's commitment to giving back to society is truly inspiring. He is a hero not just on screen, but also off screen, making a positive impact on the lives of countless people.