Overview

• Veteran stuntman SM Raju died on July 13 while performing a car-toppling stunt in Nagapattinam district for Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film starring Arya.
• Keelaiyur police have charged director Pa Ranjith, stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan, production company Neelam Productions and a production manager under Sections 289, 125 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act for negligent conduct and culpable homicide.
• An autopsy is pending to determine the precise cause of death, with scrutiny over whether on-site medical response met safety requirements.
• Actor Vishal and other colleagues have pledged financial and emotional support to Raju’s family, with the Tamil film fraternity calling for mandatory emergency provisions on sets.
• The incident has intensified discussion about risks faced by stunt professionals and the need to adopt safer techniques or enforce existing safety guidelines.