If you’ve followed Tamil cinema over the last two decades, chances are you’ve seen the breathtaking stunts that define its grand action sequences: cars flipping mid-air, motorcycles soaring over fire, and heroes walking away from explosions. Behind those thrilling moments stood men like Mohan Raj, lovingly called SM Raju, one of Kollywood’s most fearless and respected stunt performers.
But on July 13, 2025, during the filming of Vettuvam in Nagapattinam, tragedy struck. What was meant to be another spectacular stunt ended in heartbreak, and the Tamil film industry lost one of its finest warriors.
Raju’s death didn’t just shake the Tamil film community; it reopened the conversation about safety standards on film sets and the unseen dangers faced by those who risk their lives to bring cinema to life. His story, from a humble childhood in Tamil Nadu to a celebrated stuntman and finally, a tragic symbol of courage, reflects the spirit and sacrifice of hundreds of unsung heroes behind the screen.
Mohan Raj was born in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, a region famous for its culture and craftsmanship. His father, Selvaraj, worked tirelessly to support his family, instilling in young Raju the values of hard work and discipline. From a young age, he was fascinated by films, not just by the stars, but by the people who made the magic happen.
While most children idolized actors, Raju admired the men who worked behind the scenes, the ones who fell off moving cars, jumped from buildings, and faced danger every day. He would often watch local action scenes being filmed and dream of joining that world someday.
That dream, however, wasn’t easy. The stunt profession in the early 1990s had little structure, minimal pay, and even fewer safety measures. But Raju’s determination set him apart. He began training under local stunt coordinators, learning martial arts, bike handling, and vehicle flips. Over time, he built a reputation for his fearless precision and unmatched professionalism.
By his early 30s, Raju had already entered the professional stunt circuit. Joining the Movie Stunt Artists Association, which has been the backbone of Tamil cinema’s action industry since 1959, he found his true calling. Over the next 20 years, his name would become synonymous with reliability, courage, and excellence.
Raju wasn’t just another stunt double; he was a technician of risk. He mastered complex stunts involving motorcycles, cars, and explosions with surgical precision. His colleagues often said he had “the calmness of a monk and the reflexes of a cat.”
He worked across Tamil and Telugu cinema, contributing to dozens of hit films. Among them were two blockbusters from the early 2000s that made him a favorite among leading action directors. His friend and fellow stuntman Shankar once said, “If you wanted a stunt done right, you called Raju. He never hesitated, never complained, and always finished the shot.”
His career was built not on fame but on respect. For Raju, every jump, every fall, every roll was a part of his devotion to cinema.
The shoot for Vettuvam, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and starring Arya and Attakathi Dinesh, was taking place in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The film, reportedly a sequel to Sarpatta Parambarai (2021), promised intense, realistic action sequences, something Pa. Ranjith is known for.
On that fateful morning, Raju was set to perform one of the movie’s most critical stunts, an SUV jump scene designed to create a controlled crash. The plan was straightforward on paper: Raju would drive an SUV at high speed up a ramp, simulate a mid-air flip, and land safely after the crash sequence.
But in the world of stunts, even a slight miscalculation can mean disaster.
As cameras rolled, Raju accelerated toward the ramp with perfect timing. The SUV lifted into the air, but something went wrong. The vehicle lost its balance mid-flight, twisted, and landed with brutal force, flipping multiple times before coming to a stop. Crew members rushed to the wreckage, their shouts echoing across the set.
Raju was found unconscious, with severe chest injuries. He was immediately rushed to Nagapattinam Government Hospital, but by the time he arrived, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Within minutes, news of the tragedy spread. A video clip of the incident began circulating on social media, showing the horrifying aftermath of crew members trying desperately to pull Raju from the mangled SUV.
The atmosphere in Kollywood turned somber. Tributes began pouring in from actors, directors, and stunt artists across India.
Actor Vishal, who had worked with Raju on several projects, expressed his heartbreak on X (formerly Twitter):
“It’s so hard to accept that stunt artist Raju died while performing a car toppling scene for jammy @arya_offl and @beemji Ranjith’s movie this morning. I’ve known Raju for many years — he has done so many dangerous stunts for my films because he was courageous beyond words.”
Vishal also promised financial support for Raju’s family:
“This tweet is just the beginning; I will make sure his family is supported because he was one of us a brother in cinema.”
Famed stunt choreographer Stunt Silva, who has worked with top South Indian stars, shared his grief:
“One of our best car-jumping stunt artists, SM Raju, passed away today while performing car stunts. Our stunt union and the entire Indian film industry will miss him deeply.”
The Tamil stunt community, known for its close-knit brotherhood, was shattered. Many recalled how Raju often mentored younger stunt performers, teaching them to balance bravery with discipline. “He always said never fear the stunt, only fear doing it wrong,” said a colleague.
Raju’s death has reignited a long-standing debate about safety standards in the Indian film industry. For years, stunt performers have demanded better safety gear, insurance, and medical support during high-risk shoots.
Following the tragedy, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) demanded an FIR (First Information Report) against the film’s producer, director Pa. Ranjith, and others involved, citing criminal negligence. The association also called for ₹ one crore in compensation for Raju’s family, which includes his wife and two young children still in school.
Their statement read:
“The death of SM Raju could have been prevented with proper safety protocols. The industry must not ignore this. We demand justice and immediate action against those responsible.”
As of July 14, 2025, the Nagapattinam Police confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed. The shooting of Vettuvam has since been temporarily suspended, pending a full investigation.
Neither Arya nor Pa. Ranjith has issued official statements yet, though sources suggest that the production house is cooperating with authorities.
The Hidden Risks of Heroism: Inside the Life of a Stunt Performer
The tragedy has cast light on an uncomfortable truth: stunt performers are often the invisible backbone of Indian cinema. They create the illusions of heroism that audiences love yet remain unrecognized, underpaid, and unprotected.
Every flying punch, every car crash, every explosion that excites moviegoers involves real danger. But unlike the heroes who get the applause, stunt performers get little more than a modest paycheck and, at times, lifelong injuries.
Raju’s story highlights this duality of glory and grief. For every successful stunt that earned him praise, there were countless close calls. Friends recall that he had once fractured his ribs during a motorcycle stunt but returned to work within a month, saying, “This is our job, we make others look good. That’s our reward.”
His passing is not just a personal loss but a symbolic wake-up call for an industry that thrives on risk.
In his 20-year journey, SM Raju earned not just respect but love from actors, directors, and technicians alike. He wasn’t a man of many words, but when he spoke, it was about discipline, preparation, and pride in one’s craft.
His legacy is written not in awards or fame, but in every breathtaking scene that left audiences gasping in theatres. For him, cinema was not just entertainment; it was devotion.
Today, as Kollywood mourns him, it also celebrates him —the man who turned danger into art and died doing what he loved most.
The Tamil stunt community has announced plans to create an annual award in his name, honoring bravery and excellence in action choreography.
As the investigation continues, Raju’s death has sparked broader demands for reform. The film community is urging production houses to:
- Appoint certified stunt coordinators for every high-risk sequence.
- Provide mandatory insurance for all stunt performers.
- Ensure medical teams are present during dangerous shoots.
- Implement standardized safety audits across the film industry.
If these measures are enforced, Raju’s sacrifice might lead to meaningful change, protecting future generations of stunt performers.
Remembering the Man Behind the Stunts
Mohan Raj was more than a stuntman; he was a husband, father, teacher, and dreamer. His colleagues say he often spoke about retiring early to train young stunt artists and improve safety standards in the industry.
That dream may have ended abruptly, but his spirit lives on in every heart that beats faster during a car chase, in every scene where bravery meets art.
In a world where actors receive applause for heroism, men like SM Raju are the ones who live it for real.
