“Real life mein true insaan”: Gurpreet Ghuggi on how Akshay Kumar quietly helped rebuild homes for Punjab flood victims

In 2025, the state of Punjab experienced catastrophic flooding, an event that brought immense death and destruction. Amidst this devastation, the renowned actor Akshay Kumar reportedly stepped forward to provide crucial assistance, efforts that are now bearing significant fruit.

Gurpreet Ghuggi, a fellow actor who has shared the screen with Akshay Kumar in films like ‘Singh Is Kinng’ and ‘Cuttputtli’, recently revealed to Hindustan Times the extent of Kumar’s quiet philanthropy. Ghuggi explained that last year, Akshay Kumar initiated contact, seeking ways to contribute to the relief efforts. At that time, while there was an abundance of food supplies reaching the affected areas, Ghuggi astutely suggested that the most critical need would emerge once the immediate crisis subsided, specifically for those whose homes had been utterly destroyed or swept away by the floods.

Responding to this insight, Akshay Kumar made a significant commitment: he pledged to sponsor the construction of 100 homes for the flood victims. To date, an impressive 80 of these houses have been completed. Ghuggi, leveraging his deep familiarity with Punjab, assembled a dedicated team to meticulously identify the individuals and families most in need of this support. The majority of these newly constructed residences are located in villages within the Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts. Ghuggi anticipates that the remaining houses will be finished in the near future, attributing the entire benevolent initiative to “Akshay paaji’s doing.” This remarkable humanitarian endeavor was spearheaded through Akshay Kumar’s Hari Om Foundation, an organization established in loving memory of his late father.

Ghuggi eloquently described Akshay Kumar’s character, stating, “Akshay paaji may be on screen Haiwaan, real life mein he’s a true insaan.” He emphasized that his own role was merely that of a friend facilitating a noble cause. Kumar, according to Ghuggi, explicitly preferred that his involvement remain out of the public eye. He humbly remarked, “Isme koi badi baat nahi hai. Jo aadmi kar sakta hai, kar raha hai. Help karna, aur phir logon ko batana… mujhe theek nahi lagta,” reflecting his genuine desire for discreet philanthropy.

Shifting focus to his professional endeavors, Akshay Kumar is currently gearing up for the release of his next film, ‘Haiwaan’. This highly anticipated psychological thriller boasts an ensemble cast featuring Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Pahal Chaudhary, and Manoj Joshi in pivotal roles. Directed by the acclaimed Priyadarshan, with music composed by Pritam, the film is a joint production of KVN Productions and Thespian Films, under the guidance of Venkat K Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn. ‘Haiwaan’ is slated for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026, promising to be a significant addition to the landscape of Hindi entertainment.