Tragic Death of Stunt Director SM Raju During Film Shoot Leads to Legal Action

Incident Overview

A tragic incident occurred during the filming of the Tamil movie Vettuvan, resulting in the death of stunt director SM Raju. The accident took place on July 13 in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, while Raju was executing a car-flipping stunt. Despite immediate medical attention at the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

Following the incident, the Kilaiyur police have filed charges against director Pa. Ranjith, stunt choreographer Rajkamal, Neelam Productions, and Prabhakaran. The charges include Sections 289 (negligent conduct), 125 (abetment of an offence), and 106(1) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the BNS.

AICWA's Response

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has condemned the production team for what they describe as 'criminal negligence.' They are demanding that an FIR be lodged against Pa. Ranjith and the co-producers, along with a compensation of Rs 1 Crore for Raju's family. AICWA has also called for a comprehensive investigation into film sets across Tamil Nadu to ensure safety standards are upheld.

Viral Footage and Investigation

A video from the set, which has gone viral, shows a speeding car overturning and crashing. Crew members can be seen attempting to rescue SM Raju from the wreckage, but his injuries were too severe for him to survive. The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and determining accountability within the film crew.