When Assam was facing the rage of nature in the form floods, the first Bollywood star who came forward to help was Akshay Kumar. The Khiladi Kumar donated Rs 1 crore each to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and for the rescue work in Kaziranga National Park. The actor says that God has given him enough money, so he gives away without thinking twice.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, the Mission Mangal actor said that the images coming from the flood-hit areas of Assam made him sad and he didn't twice before donating the money. He said, "One of the images that really affected me was of a mother holding her baby on her shoulders and wading through the flood waters. There was no expression of sadness or stress on her face. And that’s a dangerous sign. What all she must have gone through that she forgot all her sorrows. When I come across such photos, I am like, it can happen to my wife or my daughter.’ Aisi photos bahut choobhtin hai. That’s why I did what I did."

While the deplorable condition of humans touched the actor, the animals plight in the Kaziranga National Park moved him too. He said, "I also saw some images of animals like rhinoceros, who were drowning, dying and screaming. We should all come together during such times regardless of whether you can donate Rs 2 or 5 lakhs. That’s how a country is made. And humanity is all about that. I admit that God has given me a lot of money, so I give away without thinking twice. Kahaan leke jaane hai paise."

Akshay was praised by all quarters after his generous donation. But the actor said that he only felt good when Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called him and informed that after his donation amny other people donated towards the cause. He said, "Honestly, jab maine paise diye, I didn’t feel good. But I felt really good when I got a call from the Assam Chief Minister (Sarbananda Sonowal), who told me that, aapke donation ke baad, bahut saare aur bhi logon ne donation diya.’ That made me happy. I really feel that our nation is an amazing one. If there’s ever any problem, you just have to start something and then there’s a ripple effect. You know, when I worked on Bharat Ke Veer’ app, you can’t imagine how many people made donations. India is a large-hearted nation. We just need a little push."

On the work front, Akshay Kumar is riding high on the success of his latest release Mission Mangal. The film hit the screens on August 15 and has collected 97.56 crore till Sunday. The film also stars Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Nithya Menen, Kirti Kulhari and Sharman Joshi.

He has an interesting lineup of films ahead, including Housefull 4, Good News, Sooryavanshi, Laxmmi Bomb and Bachchan Pandey followed by Prithviraj Chauhan.

ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar donates Rs 1 crore each to CM Relief Fund and Kaziranga after Assam floods

ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar on donating to Assam: Mere paas bohot paise hai. Sirf Twitter pe so sad nahi daalna

ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar on Mission Mangal: 2.0 had a budget of Rs 500 crore, India's Mars Mission cost less