Akshay Kumar resumes outdoor shoot, films COVID awareness ad with director R. Balki

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is one of first to resume shoot amid ongoing coronavirus imposed lockdown. actor has reportedly shot for an advertisement as a part of an awareness campaign on coronavirus by  central government. ad is being helmed by Akshay Kumar's PadMan director R. Balki who also worked with him in Mission Mangal last year. According to reports, both director and actor had all necessary police and municipal permissions in place before filming awareness ad.

Photos of shoot from earlier on Monday have surfaced online where entire team seems to have ensured that all COVID-19 precautionary guidelines and safety measures are followed. Akshay Kumar and R Balki can be seen wearing face masks and maintaining distance as y go about shooting for ad.

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advertisement is a part of a government campaign and is expected to go on air soon. Akshay Kumar has also joined hands with several personalities from cinema and sports, including cricketer Virat Kohli, Turkish-German actor Meryem Uzerli, for a video where y can be seen thanking frontline workers for risking ir lives in service of people amid coronavirus pandemic.

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minute-long video also features filmmaker Karan Johar, designer Manish Malhotra, music composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, singer Hariharan, India football team captain Sunil Chhetri and former formula one world champion Damon Hill.

"As we stand toger in this fight against coronavirus, I want to express my immense gratitude to all health workers, doctors, nurses and essential workers. Today, as you fight to keep humanity alive, we cheer you on. Well done, amazing job. You guys are our real heroes," y said in video.

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Calling frontline workers guiding light amid crisis, celebrities said world will overcome pandemic toger. y can be heard saying, "In se dark times and in this difficult journey, it is you all who have shown us light. Because of you, people and society are safe. You are real-life heroes, putting your lives at risk every day to save humanity. I just want to say, we thank you, we salute you and we appreciate all that you are doing. I am sending you hope, strength, power. Please stay strong, stay safe. We will get through this toger. We shall overcome."

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(with PTI inputs)

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