Stuntman SM Raju killed in tragic car crash on set of Tamil movie Vettuvan

The Tamil film industry is mourning the shocking loss of veteran stuntman SM Raju, who died in a horrific car crash during the filming of Vettuvan, directed by Pa Ranjith and starring Arya. The accident occurred on Sunday morning in Tamil Nadu while filming a high-risk car toppling sequence.

A Routine Stunt Turns Tragic

Chilling visuals from the set show Raju driving at high speed before the car violently toppled and crumpled, leaving the crew in shock. 

Team members rushed to the wreckage and pulled Raju out, but it was too late. What was meant to be a controlled stunt turned into an unimaginable tragedy, casting a dark shadow over the production.

Emotional Tributes Pour In

Actor Vishal, a close friend and long-time collaborator of Raju, confirmed the heartbreaking news with an emotional tribute on X (formerly Twitter). 
“So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doing a car toppling sequence. He was such a brave person. My deepest condolences. May his soul rest in peace,” Vishal wrote. 

He further pledged lifelong support to Raju’s grieving family, acknowledging his immense contribution to the industry.
Stunt choreographer Stunt Silva also expressed his sorrow on Instagram, calling Raju “one of our great car jumping stunt artists” and noting that the entire stunt community will feel his loss.

A Legacy of Daring Feats

SM Raju was revered in Tamil cinema for his fearless and flawless execution of high-octane stunts. As of now, neither Arya nor Pa Ranjith has issued an official statement.
The tragic accident has once again underscored the inherent risks of film-making and the courage of stunt performers who bring action scenes to life.