Stunt master Mohanraj dies during car stunt on Pa. Ranjith’s film

Tamil cinema mourns the loss of one of its most famed and daring stuntmen Mohanraj, popularly known as SM Raju, on Sunday after a dangerous car stunt went terribly wrong on the set of director Pa Ranjith’s Vettuvam.

Reports indicate that the accident occurred during a high-intensity stunt sequence filmed in Nagapattinam while the deceased was performing a complex car-flip manoeuvre over a ramp. The SUV reportedly lost balance mid-air and crashed into the ground, terminally injuring Raju. Several onlookers and crew members hurried to his aid, pulling him out of the wreckage. Unfortunately, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital he was rushed to. According to reports, he succumbed to severe injuries to his chest.

Videos of the crash, now circulating on social media, show the car somersaulting through the air before suddenly slamming down into the ground. Speculation has arisen over whether the tragedy resulted from a miscalculation in the stunt’s execution or an issue with the arrangement on the set, resulting in widespread debate about the safety protocols on Indian cinema sets, particularly while filming high-risk scenes and sequences.

Mohanraj, 52, was a native of Kanchipuram and made a name for himself as a highly skilled specialist in vehicular stunts, amassing accolades and credit through the decades for his precision and daredevilry. Condolences and tributes poured in from across the industry, prompted by his sudden death. Tollywood actor and producer Vishal, a past collaborator and friend, took to X (formerly Twitter) in a heartfelt post about Raju. “So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doing a car toppling sequence for... Ranjith’s film this morning... My deepest condolences and may his soul rest in peace [sic],” he penned.

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