Nagapattinam, July 14 — Renowned Tamil stunt coordinator S Mohanraj, also known as S M Raju, tragically died on Sunday morning during the filming of a high-risk car stunt for director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming sci-fi action film Vettuvam. The 52-year-old veteran, with over three decades of experience and more than 500 films to his credit, passed away following a suspected cardiac arrest after performing a skidding stunt involving an SUV.
The fatal incident occurred around 8 a.m. at a salt pan near Vizhunthamavadi village in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. According to crew members, Mohanraj had personally designed the sequence and was behind the wheel when the stunt went awry. He was immediately rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Orathur, where he was declared dead on arrival.
A Stunt Veteran with Grit and Courage
Hailing from Poongandam village in Kanchipuram district, Mohanraj was known for his fearless execution of complex car and bike stunts in Tamil cinema. He had been serving as the lead stunt coordinator on Vettuvam, a film described as a “modern Robin Hood” narrative starring Arya, Attakathi Dinesh, Dancing Rose Shabeer, and Sobhita Dhulipala.
The accident has reignited concerns around safety standards in Indian stunt work, particularly during action sequences involving vehicles. Industry peers confirmed Mohanraj had taken on the dangerous scene due to financial necessity, with an additional compensation of ₹2 lakh promised for the high-risk shot.
Tributes Pour In from the Indian Film Fraternity
The news of Mohanraj’s death sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry. Actor Vishal posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling him a “brave person.” Veteran stunt choreographer Silva paid tribute to “one of our great car-jumping stunt artists,” while Sham Kaushal and Aejaz Gulab highlighted the risks and complexity involved in vehicle-based stunts.
“He was the first to take the leap — even after 30 years in the field,” said Sugumar, Secretary of the Stunt Artists’ Association. “We do not have words to explain his courage and the body of work.”
Safety Concerns Under Scrutiny
Mohanraj’s death follows the recent demise of stuntman S Ezhumalai, who died during a risky sequence for Sardar 2, raising serious concerns over stunt safety protocols in the industry. In both cases, reports point to inadequate protective measures and unsafe filming environments.
A viral video from the Vettuvam set shows the crew in panic as they pulled Mohanraj from the SUV following the stunt. Though he showed no external injuries, eyewitnesses said he collapsed moments after the car completed the maneuver.
An Irreplaceable Loss
Mohanraj leaves behind a grieving family — his wife and children — and a stunned stunt fraternity. A post-mortem was conducted, and the Keelaiyur police have registered a case.
Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran also expressed sorrow, writing: “So many moments of magic that would have been impossible to film without your skill and guts! You will be missed forever!”
