Veteran Stunt Coordinator S Mohanraj Dies at 52 During Filming of Pa Ranjith’s ‘Vettuvam’
Renowned stunt coordinator S.M. Raju, also known as S. Mohanraj, died on Sunday while filming a high-risk car stunt for director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film Vettuvam near Nagapattinam.
The 52-year-old, a native of Poongandam in Kanchipuram district, had decades of experience in Tamil cinema and was known for executing daring car stunts.
Fatal Accident During Stunt Scene
The crew had been shooting for three days at a salt pan in Vizhunthamavadi village. On the morning of July 13, while performing the day’s first shot—a skidding SUV stunt—Raju lost control of the vehicle.
The car flipped and turned turtle, leading to a severe impact. Visuals of the crash have since gone viral. Raju collapsed inside the vehicle and was pulled out by colleagues.
He was taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Orathur, where he was declared brought dead.
According to police reports, Mohanraj experienced chest pain during the shoot, and the Keelaiyur police have registered a case following the incident.
An Experienced Professional
Mohanraj, known in the stunt community as S.M. Raju, had worked on over 500 films during his 30-year career.
He was the stunt coordinator for Vettuvam, a science fiction-action film starring Arya, Attakathi Dinesh, Dancing Rose Shabeer, and Sobhita Dhulipala. Described as a modern-day Robin Hood story, the film had about 40 days of shooting remaining.
Crew members stated that the stunt, involving a skidding SUV, was initiated by Mohanraj himself.
Despite the tricky, loose soil near the coastline, he was confident about executing the move. Reports revealed he was promised an extra Rs. 2 lakh for the stunt, which he accepted due to financial needs.
Tributes from Film Industry
The news of Mohanraj’s death prompted widespread mourning. Actor Vishal expressed condolences on X, calling him a “brave person.”
Stunt choreographer Silva described him as “one of our great car-jumping stunt artists” and posted a tribute on Instagram. Sugumar, secretary of the Stunt Artists’ Association, acknowledged Raju’s legacy and said, “We do not have words to explain his courage and the body of work.”
Stunt director Sham Kaushal stated, “When you do a stunt with a car, it’s a combination of human skill and machine. If there’s even a slight misjudgment, it can be fatal.”
Aejaz Gulab, General Secretary of the Movie Stunt Artists Association, added, “Mohanraj was known for his ability to handle these. Sadly, accidents still happen, despite precautions.”
Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran shared his grief, writing, “Rest in peace Raju! So many moments of magic that would have been impossible to film without your skill and guts! You will be missed forever!”
Questions Over Safety and Permissions
The shoot continued on July 13 despite permission being granted only for July 11 and 12. This violation was noted by district authorities.
A crew member confirmed that the coastal soil on that day was loose, making the ground risky. “This exactly happened during the stunt. The soil here is always tricky and pulls you down,” the person said.
Mohanraj was reportedly injured when the steering wheel hit his ribs with force during the crash. Eyewitnesses said he showed no visible injuries, but the impact proved fatal. Following the accident, the crew wrapped the shoot and returned to Chennai.
Legal Action and Accountability
In the aftermath, the Keelaiyur police registered a case against director Pa Ranjith, stunt choreographer Rajkamal, Neelam Productions, and crew member Prabhakaran.
They were booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—Section 289 (negligent conduct likely to endanger human life), Section 125 (abetment of an offence), and Section 106(1) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
Director Ranjith spoke publicly about the incident two days later. According to officials, the production team had not informed the administration about shooting beyond the approved dates.
Calls for Stronger Safety Measures
Veteran stuntman Jaguar Thangam highlighted the need for better safety. “We could have avoided it if the precautionary measures were taken,” he said.
Car stunt scenes typically require safety features like thick protective pipes around the driver. “I do not know if those pipes were actually fixed to avoid injuries,” he added.
He emphasized that while experienced stuntmen usually handle dangerous scenes, the unpredictability of machines means even experienced professionals are at risk. “Despite the best efforts, accidents happen,” Thangam said.
A Lasting Legacy
Mohanraj is survived by his wife and children. His colleagues remember him as a fearless professional who often led from the front. His untimely demise has renewed discussions around on-set safety protocols and the risks stunt professionals take for cinematic realism.
