For those unfamiliar with his name, SM Raju, also known as Mohan Raj, was a seasoned stunt coordinator and performer, particularly known within Tamil cinema circles.
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SM Raju, a veteran stuntman in the Tamil film industry, tragically passed away during the shooting of ‘Vettuvan’, an upcoming action film starring Arya and directed by PA Ranjith.
The accident unfolded during the filming of a high-speed car stunt in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district. In a heart-stopping moment caught on video, Raju, behind the wheel of a black SUV, attempted a risky sequence that involved the vehicle launching off a ramp.
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But things didn’t go as planned. The car took off but landed with terrifying force, losing balance and flipping over multiple times.
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Onlookers and crew members rushed towards the crash site, hoping for a miracle. But by the time they reached stuntman SM Raju, it was already too late. He was pulled from the wreckage and taken immediately to the Nagapattinam Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
He was just 52 years old.
For those unfamiliar with his name, SM Raju, also known as Mohan Raj, was a seasoned stunt coordinator and performer, particularly known within Tamil cinema circles.
A native of Kanchipuram district, he had quietly built a career performing dangerous stunts for films featuring some of the biggest stars in South Indian cinema.
Though his filmography isn’t widely documented, insiders remember him as someone who consistently delivered high-risk stunts with precision and professionalism.
Stunt work is one of the most dangerous aspects of filmmaking, and Raju was part of a community of artists who regularly put their lives on the line for the sake of cinematic thrill.
The viral clip shows Raju’s SUV hurtling toward a slope at breakneck speed. After lift-off, the vehicle fails to stabilize on landing and rolls over violently. Crew members appear panicking as they realize something has gone horribly wrong.
The footage cuts off with the camera shaking and people rushing toward the toppled car.
Following the accident, the ‘Vettuvan’ team has come under scrutiny for on-set safety measures. Though no official statement has been out from PA Ranjith or Arya yet, tributes have begun pouring in from within the Tamil film industry.
Fellow stunt artists, actors, and technicians are sharing condolences online, remembering Raju as a dedicated professional who loved his craft.
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