SM Raju (Stuntman) Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About SM Raju

• SM Raju was interested in stunts since his teenage years. He had worked in more than 500 movies and was highly respected for his expertise in risky car and bike stunts.

• On July 13, 2025, he was performing a car stunt for director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming Tamil film Vettuvam, starring Arya. The stunt was being shot in Vizhunthamavadi village, Nagapattinam district, under the Keelaiyur police limits.

• The stunt involved launching an SUV from a ramp and making it flip mid-air before landing at a designated spot. According to reports, Raju was both choreographing and performing the stunt himself due to budget constraints.

• Before the stunt, the team had conducted test drives, and the area was inspected for safety, according to Pa Ranjith’s statement.

• A rehearsal run was completed successfully, and the final take was being filmed when the incident occurred. As per the team, a medical team and ambulance were present on set, and all general permissions had been obtained.

• During the main take, the SUV launched from the ramp, flipped mid-air, and landed as expected, without any visible crash or fire. Moments after landing, Mohanraj reportedly suffered chest pain and collapsed behind the wheel of the vehicle.
  

  Car stunt in which SM Raju died

• Crew members rushed toward the car, pulled him out, and tried to revive him before taking him to the hospital. He was taken to Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

• A viral video shows panic on set as crew members scream and attempt to help him out of the vehicle.

• Keelaiyur police initially registered a case under Section 174 CrPC for unnatural death on the day of the incident. On July 14, after the autopsy and investigation, the FIR was upgraded to include Sections 289, 125, and 106(1) of BNS (negligence).

• The FIR named four people director Pa Ranjith, stunt coordinator Vinoth, production manager Rajkamal, and SUV owner Prabhakaran. Police said the team had general permission for filming but no specific permission for performing a dangerous car stunt.

• Actor Vishal stated, “So difficult to digest the fact that Raju passed away. I promise to support his family forever.”

• Prithviraj Sukumaran posted, “Rest in peace, Raju! Your skill and guts made magic possible. You will be missed forever.”

• Industry professionals said Raju had insisted on doing the stunt himself despite suggestions to delegate the task to a junior. Actor Vishal said Raju refused to step back, saying, “If not me, who else can do this car flip stunt?”

• His body was handed over to his family (wife and 2 children) after the autopsy at the government hospital on July 14. His funeral was held in his native village in the Kanchipuram district.

• The Tamil Nadu stunt community also planned a memorial meet to honour Raju’s three-decade-long contribution to Indian cinema.