Action Scene Tragedy: Stunt Man Loses His Life

An ordinary shoot turned sudden disaster on July 13 when well-known stuntman S.M. Raju, also called Mohan Raj, was performing a risky car-toppling stunt for Pa. Ranjith’s upcoming film Vettuvam. The SUV flipped violently during the take, and Raju, trapped inside, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The crash was captured on video and sparked fresh concern across South India.

Actor Vishal, who had collaborated with Raju multiple times, announced the news on social media with heavy sorrow, calling it “so difficult to digest.” He also promised to provide long-term support to Raju’s family. Stunt choreographer Silva reflected on Raju's reputation as one of Tamil cinema’s most skilled car-stunt experts.

The set has been halted while authorities and production teams investigate what went wrong. This isn’t an isolated tragedy; headlines in recent years have shown that even experienced pros aren’t safe when high-octane scenes go unchecked. Calls are growing louder for tighter protocols and better protection for stunt crews.

What happened on that Tamil film set isn’t just a tragic news flash. It demands a real change, better planning, stricter safety, emergency readiness. Until then, every stunt could turn lethal. S.M. Raju wasn’t just a stuntman; he was a reminder of why safety shouldn't wait for an accident.