• Source:JND
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The film industry is in shock following the tragic death of stunt artist SM Raju, who passed away while performing a car stunt on the sets of PA Ranjith's upcoming film starring Arya. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, and has sent ripples of sadness across the entertainment industry. Renowned stunt director Sham Kaushal was deeply moved by the news, expressing his emotional response by saying that he felt like "crying out loud" upon learning of Raju's untimely demise. This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and sacrifices that stunt professionals often take in the line of duty, bringing thrilling sequences to life on the big screen. As the industry mourns the loss of SM Raju, there will likely be a renewed focus on safety protocols and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In a conversation with NDTV, Vicky Kaushal's father, Sham Kaushal expressed his condolences and said, "Whenever I am asked to talk about the tragic incident that happened yesterday, I felt like crying. I feel like crying out loud. It’s a big big loss for our entire film community, stunt community. I pray to God that such incidents never happen in the future."

On Sunday, Tamil actor Vishal took to X and wrote, "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 I 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 to them. God bless."

SM Raju, a celebrated stunt artist in the Tamil film industry, left an indelible mark with his exceptional work on numerous intense action scenes. At the time of his untimely passing, Raju was involved in the production of Vettuvan, a highly anticipated film directed by PA Ranjith and starring Arya. Notably, Vettuvan is the sequel to the 2021 Tamil drama Sarpatta Parambarai, which garnered significant acclaim. Scheduled for a 2026 release, Vettuvan's production has been put on hold following Raju's tragic death, which occurred during a car stunt sequence.

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As the industry mourns his loss, an official investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The suspension of filming and the ongoing inquiry underscore the importance of ensuring safety protocols on film sets to prevent such accidents in the future. Raju's contribution to Tamil cinema will be remembered and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring stunt artists.