Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu – July 14, 2025
The Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood, is in shock following the passing of veteran stuntman Mohan Raj, also known as SM Raju. He tragically died on July 13, 2025, while performing a dangerous stunt for the new movie Vettuvam. The 52-year-old was a well-respected member of the stunt community and unfortunately lost his life due to injuries from a terrible SUV accident while filming in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. His death has caused widespread sadness and has led to renewed demands for improved safety measures on movie sets.
Mohan Raj was born in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Selvaraj and a proud member of the Movie Stunt Artists Association, which has about 600 members and was founded in 1959.
At 52 years old, Raju had a fantastic career that lasted over 20 years. He became one of the most popular stunt performers in the South Indian film industry. He was well-known for his skills in car and motorcycle stunts and worked on many Tamil and Telugu hit movies, including two famous South Indian films from around 20 years ago, as his friend Shankar remembers.
His courage and professionalism made him a reliable partner for top stars and action directors, leaving a lasting legacy in the Tamil film industry, also known as Kollywood.
The accident occurred while they were filming Vettuvam, a gangster movie directed by the renowned filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and starring Arya and Attakathi Dinesh. It is said to be a sequel to the popular 2021 film Sarpatta Parambarai. The crew was filming an exciting action scene in Nagapattinam. Raju had to perform a stunt that involved driving an SUV over a ramp to create a controlled crash. Unfortunately, the vehicle lost its balance in the air, flipped over, and crashed hard, causing serious chest injuries to Raju.
The crew quickly ran to the wrecked vehicle and found Raju unconscious. He was rushed to Nagapattinam Government Hospital, but the doctors pronounced him dead when he arrived. A shocking video of the event, which has gone viral on social media, showed the crew’s frantic efforts to save Raju, highlighting the risks involved in stunt work. The mood on set became somber as the planned stunt turned into a tragic accident.
The news of Raju’s passing shocked everyone in the Kollywood community, prompting many heartfelt messages from his friends and fellow industry professionals. Actor Vishal, who had collaborated with Raju on several projects, shared his sadness on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “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, and he has done so many dangerous stunts in my films repeatedly because he is such a courageous person.” Vishal also promised to help Raju’s family, saying, “This tweet is just the beginning; I will support his family’s future since we are both part of the same film industry and because of his contributions to so many films.”
Famous stunt choreographer Stunt Silva, who has worked with stars like Mohanlal, also expressed his sadness over Raju’s death on social media, writing, “One of our best car jumping stunt artists, S M Raju, passed away today while performing car stunts. Our stunt union and the Indian film industry will miss him.” These tributes demonstrate the profound impact Raju had on the stunt community and the broader film industry.
FIR Filed Against Producer And Director
Raju’s passing has sparked new conversations about the safety of stunt performers on movie sets. The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is requesting that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against the film’s producer, director Pa. Ranjith, and others involved, alleging negligence in failing to ensure that safety rules were followed. They are also requesting ₹1 crore in compensation for Raju’s family, which includes his wife and two children who are in school.
As of July 14, 2025, there have been no official comments from Arya or Pa. Ranjith regarding the incident. The authorities are investigating the details of the accident. Filming for Vettuvam has been put on hold while the investigation continues.
This incident has highlighted the dangers that stunt performers face, who often work in high-pressure situations to create exciting action scenes. A viral video of the accident has increased public and industry demands for stricter safety measures and enhanced supervision during high-risk shoots.
Mohan Raj has left a mark of bravery and hard work, having played a significant role in the success of many movies with his amazing stunts. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by stunt performers, who often work behind the scenes to bring movie dreams to life.
The Kollywood film industry, along with fans and coworkers, is still grieving the loss of a skilled professional whose work will always be remembered. As the investigation continues, the primary goal is to ensure justice is served for Raju’s family and to implement measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
The film community stands together in sorrow, with many advocating for stricter safety protocols to protect those who put their lives on the line for the art of filmmaking.
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
