In a tragic incident on the set of director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film ‘Vettuvam’, seasoned stunt performer Mohanraj, also known in the industry as Raju, lost his life following a car stunt gone fatally wrong in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, and a disturbing video of the mishap has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The video captures the high-risk stunt sequence, in which Mohanraj was executing a car-toppling stunt — a common but dangerous maneuver in action cinema. The car, which was supposed to land on its side after a controlled flip, reportedly lost balance mid-air after launching off a ramp. It spiraled uncontrollably before crashing head-on into the ground. For a few crucial minutes, the crew remained unaware of the gravity of the situation. Once they reached the wreckage, they found Mohanraj gravely injured. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Doctors confirmed that he had suffered a fatal heart attack, likely triggered by the trauma and impact of the crash.
Mohanraj, who was in his late 40s, had worked in the film industry for over two decades. Known for his fearless commitment to high-octane action, he had been part of the stunt teams for numerous Tamil and Telugu blockbusters. Industry insiders and colleagues recall him as a disciplined, soft-spoken man with a deep passion for action choreography. He was a regular collaborator with leading action directors and had recently begun mentoring younger stunt artists.
So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doin a car toppling sequence for jammy @arya_offl and @beemji Ranjith’s film this morning. Hav known Raju for so many years and he has performed so many risky stunts in my films time and time again as he is…
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) July 13, 2025
Actor Vishal, who had worked with Mohanraj on multiple films, expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doin a car toppling sequence for jammy @arya\_offl and @beemji Ranjith’s film this morning. Hav known Raju for so many years and he has performed so many risky stunts in my films time and time again as he is such a brave person. My deepest condolences and may his soul rest in peace. May God give more strength to his family for their grave loss. Not just this tweet but will definitely be there for his family’s future, being from the same film industry and also for his contribution to so many films. From the bottom of my heart and as my duty I extend my support for them. God bless.”
‘Vettuvam’, written and directed by Pa Ranjith, is a socio-political thriller featuring Arya, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Ashok Selvan in key roles. The film reportedly explores themes of justice and rebellion set against a rural backdrop, with intense action sequences forming a core part of its visual narrative. The shoot was taking place in a remote part of Nagapattinam district, where elaborate stunt arrangements had been in place for several days.
While fans and fellow artists mourn the loss, there has been a growing demand from industry professionals for stricter safety protocols and better medical supervision on film sets, especially during risky action scenes. An official statement from the production house or Pa Ranjith’s team is still awaited.
Mohanraj is survived by his wife and two school-going children. His colleagues are now rallying around his family to provide emotional and financial support. A memorial fund in his name is also being discussed within the film fraternity.
