Chennai: Stunt artist SM Raju tragically died on July 13 during a car toppling sequence on the set of Arya’s upcoming Tamil film, directed by Pa Ranjith. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday and has left the film crew and the wider Tamil film industry in shock.

Actor Vishal, who had worked with Raju on numerous action films, confirmed the news and shared a heartfelt message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doing a car toppling sequence,” Vishal wrote. Remembering Raju as fearless and dependable, he added, “Not just this tweet, but I will definitely be there for his family’s future.”

Vishal also tagged Arya and Pa Ranjith in his post, signalling the impact of the loss within the film fraternity. He pledged full support to Raju’s family, calling it his personal duty as someone from the same industry.

Renowned stunt choreographer Silva echoed the sentiment in an emotional Instagram post, calling Raju “one of the finest car stunt performers in Indian cinema” and “a gem” of the stunt union.

As of now, neither actor Arya nor director Pa Ranjith has issued a public statement on the accident. The production team is said to be in mourning, and further details about the circumstances of the incident are yet to be released.

Raju’s death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by stunt professionals who risk their lives to bring thrilling action scenes to the big screen. The Tamil film industry has often highlighted its rich tradition of stunt choreography, but incidents like this underline the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols on film sets.

The Indian film community has been pouring in condolences across social media, honouring Raju’s years of contribution to cinema and the courage with which he carried out his work.