The film fraternity is mourning the tragic loss of veteran stunt artist S.M. Raju, who passed away on July 13th during the shooting of Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film, ‘Vettuvam’.
Raju, whose real name was Mohan Raj, collapsed while driving an SUV during a high-octane stunt sequence in Nagapattinam and was declared brought dead at the hospital.
Director Pa Ranjith penned an emotional tribute to Raju on his social media, expressing profound shock and heartbreak.
He recalled how the day, despite detailed planning, caution, and adherence to safety protocols, ended in an unexpected tragedy.
Ranjith lauded Raju as a “veteran in performing stunts” whose expertise was highly valued by the entire crew, emphasizing that his death was “devastating” and that he would always be remembered for his incredible work and as a graceful human being.
The incident has reignited discussions about on-set safety in the industry.
