LEADING MAN

AKSHAY KUMAR 50 Actor

Because he is the socially conscious star. With Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), which emphasised sanitation, and PadMan (2018), which advocated menstrual hygiene, Kumar is doing cinema that preaches even as it entertains

Because he is the go-to guy for awareness campaigns—the home ministry’s Bharat Ke Veer initiative to raise money for the families of deceased officers of the Central Armed Police Forces and being the face of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

Because he is prolific. This year, after PadMan, Kumar has an Independence Day release in Gold and makes his southern debut with 2.0. Next year, the actor has Kesari and Housefull 4

GREATER COMMON GOOD Kumar donated Rs 10 lakh to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the construction of a bio-toilet on Juhu Beach, Rs 25 lakh to 103 families of martyred security personnel last Diwali and has contributed to instal 100 sanitary napkin vending machines across the state of Maharashtra