Tamil Actor Vishal Confirms Stuntman Raju's Death During Arya's Film Shoot, Promises Support To Family
In a heartbreaking turn of events, renowned stunt artist S.M. Raju lost his life on the morning of July 13 while performing a high-risk car toppling stunt on the sets of an upcoming film starring Arya and directed by Pa Ranjith. The tragic accident has left the Tamil film industry in shock, with tributes pouring in for the veteran stuntman known for his daring work across several major productions.
Actor Vishal, who had collaborated with Raju on numerous action-heavy films, expressed his grief on social media. Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Vishal wrote, 'So difficult to digest the fact that stunt artist Raju passed away while doing a car toppling sequence for jammy @arya_offl and @beemji Ranjith's film this morning. Have 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."
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
Deeply moved by the loss, Vishal went on to assure support for Raju's bereaved family, stating, '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."
Stunt choreographer Silva also paid tribute to the late artist on Instagram, calling Raju one of the finest in his field, 'One of our great car jumping stunt artist S M Raju died today while doing car stunts. Our stunt union and Indian film industry will be missing him."
As of now, neither Arya nor director Pa Ranjith has made a public statement regarding the accident. However, the silence weighs heavy as the film fraternity collectively mourns a man who quite literally put his life on the line for cinema.
First Published:
July 13, 2025, 19:14 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Meghalaya's ‘literary voice' Bijoya Sawian to be honoured
1 2 Shillong: Meghalaya's 'literary voice' Bijoya Sawian will be honoured at the third edition of the Aalekh Foundation Women Achievers' Awards ceremony to be held at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, on Saturday. The Shillong-based writer, translator and cultural custodian Sawian is among 20 exceptional women selected from across the country for their transformative work and impact in diverse fields. "The award recognises Bijoya Sawian's outstanding contribution to Indian literature and indigenous cultural preservation, particularly through her evocative storytelling and deep engagement with the heritage of the Khasi people," a media statement issued by the state directorate of public information said on Sunday. "Her acclaimed translations such as 'The Teachings of Elders' and 'The Main Ceremonies of the Khasis' have preserved invaluable oral traditions, while her fiction works like 'Shadow Men' and 'Hill Songs of Love and Longing' offer lyrical and sensitive portrayals of life in the Khasi Hills," the statement highlighted. Her writings have been lauded for bridging geographies and generations, bringing the rich cultural and socio-political history of the northeast into the national literary consciousness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The ceremony will be graced by distinguished guests, including R Venkataramani, attorney general of India and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, as chief guests. Speaking ahead of the event, Rennie Joyy, founder of the Aalekh Foundation, said, "Bijoya Sawian's work is a quiet revolution in literature — restoring dignity, voice and visibility to stories that often go unheard. At Aalekh, we are proud to honour women like her who shape narratives, nurture legacies and remind us of the power of words to preserve and transform". The Aalekh Foundation Women Achievers' Awards is a flagship initiative that celebrates women who have not only broken barriers in their respective fields but have also contributed meaningfully to society, culture, and nation-building.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Saina Nehwal divorce: Olympic medallist badminton star announces separation with Parupalli Kashyap; 'life takes us...'
Saina Nehwal, Indian badminton star made an announcement of separation from her husband, Parupalli Kashyap, on Sunday (July 13). She shared the news with an emotional Instagram post which have sent shockwaves through the sporting world. Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap's relationship began on the badminton courts, where their shared passion for the sport blossomed into love. The couple dated for over a decade. They tied the knot almost seven years ago on December 14, 2018, in a private ceremony. Kashyap's transition from a fellow player to Saina's coach symbolized their deep trust and mutual respect, making their partnership a unique one in the world of sports. The dynamics between Saina and Kashyap were more than just romantic, their professional partnership inspired many. Kashyap's role as Saina's coach was particularly significant after 2016, when injuries began to take a toll on her career. He was often seen courtside, offering advice and emotional support during domestic tournaments and international qualifiers. A standout moment came in 2019 when Saina, under Kashyap's guidance, defeated an in-form PV Sindhu at the National Championships, showcasing her resilience and their effective collaboration. In her Instagram story, Saina wrote, 'Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing - for ourselves and each other. I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time.' Saina Nehwal's post Saina Nehwal made history as the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. This achievement placed her alongside weightlifter Karnam Malleshwari as one of only two Indian women to win an Olympic medal at the time. Saina's illustrious career also includes two World Championship medals (one gold and one silver), three Commonwealth Games gold medals (singles in 2010 and 2018, and mixed team in 2010), and two Asian Games bronze medals (2014 and 2018). In 2015, she became the first Indian woman to achieve the world no. 1 ranking in badminton. However, Saina's results were inconsistent in her later years, with her last professional match played in June 2023. While she has not officially announced her retirement, her focus has shifted away from competitive play. Parupalli Kashyap is one of India's finest former badminton players. With a career-high world ranking of 6, Kashyap showcased his prowess by winning the men's singles gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a bronze in the 2010 Delhi edition. After retiring from competitive play, Kashyap transitioned into coaching.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap announce separation
Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal and husband Parupalli Kashyap, who is also a top former shuttler, have announced their decision to part ways mutually. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Saina shared the personal update that has taken the sporting world by surprise. 'Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other," Saina, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, wrote. "I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time," she added. Saina and Kashyap married in December 2018. They trained together at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad from their early days. While Saina became a global icon with her Olympic bronze and world No. 1 ranking, Kashyap broke into the world top 10 and clinched the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold.
