Renowned stuntman SM Raju lost his life in a tragic accident during the filming of a high-risk action sequence for director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming Tamil film Vettuvam, starring Arya. The fatal incident occurred on Sunday morning in Tamil Nadu while shooting a car-toppling stunt that went terribly wrong.
Disturbing footage from the set shows Raju speeding in a vehicle before it flips violently and crashes, leaving the car mangled. Crew members rushed to the wreckage in a desperate attempt to save him, but the seasoned stunt performer was declared dead at the scene. The accident cast a pall of grief over the film unit, turning a choreographed action sequence into a heartbreaking catastrophe.
Actor Vishal, who had worked with Raju on numerous projects, confirmed the news and paid tribute to his longtime colleague in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter).
“It’s so difficult to digest that stunt artist Raju passed away while performing a car toppling stunt. I’ve known him for years — he’s done countless dangerous stunts in my films. A truly brave soul,” Vishal wrote. He also vowed to support Raju’s family, saying, “Not just this tweet, I’ll ensure his family is looked after. He gave so much to this industry.”
Stunt choreographer Stunt Silva also expressed sorrow over the loss. “One of our finest car stunt artists, S M Raju, died today performing what he did best. Our stunt community and the Indian film industry will deeply miss him,” Silva posted on Instagram.
Raju was a veteran of Tamil cinema’s action circles, known for his fearless work and flawless timing in stunt coordination. His contribution to the world of action filmmaking made him a respected figure among peers and stars alike.
As of now, neither lead actor Arya nor director Pa Ranjith has issued a statement about the tragedy. Vettuvam, which also features Sobhita Dhulipala, Attakathi Dinesh, Kalaiyarasan, and Lingesh, was reportedly nearing the end of production.
The incident has reignited concerns over on-set safety and the risks faced by stunt professionals. SM Raju’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the real-life dangers behind the cinematic spectacle.
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