Chennai, Jul 14 (PTI): Popular stunt master Mohan Raj alias S M Raju (52) died during the shooting of an action scene for a film in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam, a source close to him said on Monday.
Raj, who was driving an SUV in a high-octane stunt scene for director Pa Rajnith’s Vettuvam, in Nagapattinam on July 13, suddenly collapsed.
His colleagues pulled him out of the vehicle and rushed him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Video of the incident, which went viral, shows those on the sets frantically running to his rescue. He is seen being extracted from the car.
Mohan Raj was a native of Kancheepuram near here.
"One of our great car jumping stunt artists, S M Raju, died while doing car stunts. RIP. Our stunt union and Indian film industry will be missing him,” Silva, a stuntman and an actor said in a post on the social media platform X.
"The news of the death of stunt master Mohan Raj Annan (elder brother) fills me with shock and pain. Today, my heart flutters as I think of the days when you bravely overturned that lorry in the final scene of Vaazhai (film) and shocked everyone. You and your bravery will always be remembered, brother," director and screenwriter Mari Selvaraj said on 'X'.
STORY | Tamil film stunt artist Mohan Raj tragically dies on sets during movie shoot in TN’s Nagapattinam
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2025
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Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
