Latest news with #PaRanjith
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Delhi Police arrest Actor 'Powerstar' Srinivasan in Rs 5 crore loan fraud case
NEW DELHI: The Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police has arrested Tamil film actor S Srinivasan who is also known as Powerstar for allegedly duping a company of Rs 5 crore on the pretext of arranging Rs 1,000 crore loan, officials said on Wednesday. In December 2010, the complainant company M/s Blue Coast Infrastructure Development Ltd. was approached by Henry Lalremsanga, Deepak Banga, Anil Varshney, and Ramanuja Muvvala, who presented themselves as experienced consultants capable of arranging a loan of Rs 1,000 crore for hotel and corporate investment purposes. They assured that in case of failure, they would refund any upfront amount paid within 30 days. The consultants then introduced the complainant to Srinivasan, who claimed to be the proprietor of M/s Baba Trading Company and a long-time lender capable of arranging the loan. Director Pa Ranjith gets anticipatory bail The Keezhvelur District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court granted an anticipatory bail to film director Pa Ranjith on Wednesday. The case pertains to the death of a 52-year-old stunt coordinator S Mohanraj, during the shooting of an action sequence. The accident occurred on July 13 during the filming of the movie 'Vettuvam' near Alangadu area, close to Keezhaiyur in the district. During the shooting of a car chase sequence, the stunt coordinator, Mohanraj, lost his life. Keezhaiyur police registered a case against four individuals. ENS
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pa Ranjith gets anticipatory bail
Trichy: Filmmaker Pa Ranjith appeared at the district munsif-cum-judicial magistrate court in Nagapattinam on Wednesday in the case relating to the death of a stunt artist during a movie shoot earlier this month. Ranjith was granted anticipatory bail in the case. Artist S Mohanraj alias SM Raju, 52, died while performing a stunt for Ranjith's movie 'Vettuvam' in Vizhunthamavadivillage on July 13. Besides Ranjith, stunt choreographer Vinoth, manager Rajkamal of Neelam Productions, and stunt car owner Prabhakaran were booked in the case. The other three had already availed anticipatory bail after the accident. Pa Ranjith appeared with his legal counsel at the court in Kilvelur and was granted anticipatory bail by judge R. Meenakshi. The accident happened when Mohanraj drove a car at high speed over a ramp-like setup, and took off into the air. However, the car spun and toppled, leaving him dead. A case is under investigation at Keelaiyur station under sections 289 (negligent conduct with machinery), 125 (endangering human life), and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of BNS. The shoot of the movie has been suspended.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Death of a stuntman: It's about time there were safety standards for film sets
During the making of Pa Ranjith's upcoming film Vettuvam, stuntman S Mohanraj died while performing a car toppling sequence. A video clip capturing the accident made it to the news, greatly shocking anyone who watched it. The film industry regards Mohanraj, a veteran with over three decades of experience, as a specialist in performing car stunts, and it wasn't the first time he was executing such a stunt. A day after the demise, filmmaker Pa Ranjith issued a heartfelt condolence message while also clarifying that safety protocols had been in place and precautions had been taken as advised by the stunt experts. The case probably gained widespread attention as a video clip capturing the fatal accident was shared by someone present on the film set. But such deaths during film shoots are not as rare as might be imagined, although in the absence of similar video evidence, they hardly make news. Last year, in another high profile film, Sardar 2 starring actor Karthi, a stuntman died in an accident. Much earlier, in 2020, during the shoot of filmmaker Shankar's Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, three individuals — an assistant director, an art assistant and a production assistant — were killed while mounting a heavy-duty light on a crane, while another 10 were injured. It is important to note that the three individuals were killed not during a risky stunt sequence, but merely during the erection of a set. Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) president RK Selvamani stated that between Indian 2 and Sardar 2, as many as 20 stuntmen have been killed in on-set accidents. However, these deaths hardly make it to the news, except in the case of high profile films. While senior stunt masters have repeatedly pressed for better safety standards, they have also invoked the Tamil saying 'Karanam thappinal maranam (Death is assured, even in the case of a small slip)', reflecting an internalised readiness to accept the risk of death as intrinsic to the job. Ideally, FEFSI should be pressing producers to implement better safety standards for all stunt sequences performed in the industry. Thus far, however, there has not been much pressure on producers or the producers' council on this matter — given the way power is skewed in the industry, FEFSI is forced to save its negotiating edge to handle several other workers' issues. In such a situation, the onus to maintain the safety standards ends up on the stuntperson performing the risky action sequence. We have to remember here that most stuntpersons aren't formally trained or qualified to certify the safety standards of their own performances. Many of them, in fact, willingly put their own lives at enormous risk to ensure the sustenance of their families and themselves. In the event of their death, compensation is handed out — in the case of the Indian 2 incident, Shankar, Kamal Haasan and Lyca Productions handed over Rs 4 crore to the families of the deceased. But this cannot be the model for how the film industry functions. Handing out huge sums to the families of deceased stuntpersons cannot take the place of continuous investments and maintenance of better safety standards for all. As long as the current model works out economically, the industry will continue to function in the same way. The only solution is for the State or Union government to institute a Film Set Safety Standard Board that would inspect every film set and issue certificates based on the safety standards maintained. Such a board should be adequately equipped with manpower and expertise to examine, understand and advise on the safety standards of the film set or stunt sequences performed. And it should be made mandatory to get a clearance from the board to ensure the public release of a film. There was a time when film productions received backlash for mistreating animals during shoots. But today, to use animals in films or advertisements in India, filmmakers need to obtain pre-shoot permission and post-shoot clearance from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). And this has to a great extent ensured the ethical treatment of animals during film shoots. It is high time that safety standards are put in place, and enforced, so that stuntpersons don't have to place themselves in harmful situations to ensure that the audience gets the adrenaline rush it craves. The writer is a Chennai-based filmmaker
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Akshay Kumar provides insurance to over 650 stunt workers after SM Raju's death
The death of stuntman SM Raju on the sets of Pa Ranjith's Vettuvam has shocked the industry. The 52-year-old stuntman died while driving an SUV in a high-octane stunt scene for the film in Nagapattinam on July 13. It has sparked debate around the safety of stuntmen on set. Amid the controversy, actor Akshay Kumar has stepped forward to provide insurance to about 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen in the country. On July 17, reports of the actor providing health and accident coverage for stuntmen surfaced online. The news was confirmed after a veteran stunt professional thanked the Sooryavanshi star for his generosity. Stuntman Vikram Singh Dahiya, who has worked in films like Gunjan Saxena, Antim, OMG 2, and Jigra, told Hindustan Times, 'Thanks to Akshay sir, around 650 to 700 stuntmen and action crew members in Bollywood are now covered under insurance. The policy includes cashless medical treatment up to Rs 5 to Rs 5.5 lakh, whether the injury occurs on or off set.' While his kind gesture is being appreciated, many are questioning the ethics of Hindi film industry. A user shared the Akshay Kumar news on Reddit, prompting many responses. A user wrote, 'While a great gesture from Akshay, why the heck is an illustrious industry as Bollywood not already providing them insurance is the bigger question! ' Other comment read, 'Wonderful gesture. Every person working on the film set should be insured – not just stunt crew.' ALSO READ | Baahubali stunt coordinator Lee Whittaker opens up on death of stuntman on Pa Ranjith's film set: 'If there's not enough funds with production…' Earlier, speaking to SCREEN, American action choreographer Lee Wittaker expressed his disappointment in the lack of safety on film sets. He stated, 'No one should die doing a stunt. Safety precautions have to meet high standards for the safety of the performer and the crew. If there isn't then the stunt should never happen. If there's not enough funds with production, the stunt should never happen.' Whittaker has also worked in several Indian projects like Vishwaroopam, Linga, Kaadu, Baahubali and Thugs of Hindostan, among others. Soon after SM Raj's death, Pa Ranjith took to his X handle and said, 'A day that started out with detailed planning, caution, clarity in execution, prayers and all our goodwill, as it does on every film set that stages crash sequences, ended up in his unexpected death. This has sent us all into shock and heartbreak.' He claimed to have followed every protocol on set to maintain safety. He shared, 'We relied on the expertise of our stunt director Dilip Subbarayan and followed every protocol, every detail that was needed to make this safe. That in spite of all of our preparations and precautions, we ended up losing a man who had unparalleled experience and achievements, who made his family, colleagues and directors proud with the quality of his work that has affected us deeply. He will have our respect, love and adoration always.' In another development, the filmmaker has been booked for SM Raj's death. Along with Pa Ranjith, Neelam Productions executive Rajkamal, stunt artiste Vinoth, and the owner of the car Prabhakar have also been booked for the incident. They are booked under three sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 106(1), Section 289, and Section 125. Just last year, around the same time, another stuntman named Eluumalai died on the sets of Karthi and director PS Mithran's Sardar 2. The incident took place on July 16, 2024. According to India Today, the stuntman fell from a rostrum of 20 feet high while shooting an action sequence for the film. However, it went unnoticed with not much changing over the year.
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Akshay Kumar insures 650 stunt workers after SM Raju's death on film set, offers health and accident coverage
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has taken a significant step to address long-standing safety concerns in the film industry by insuring the lives of approximately 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen across India. This initiative follows the recent tragic death of stuntman SM Raju on the set of a Tamil film, Vettuvam, directed by Pa Ranjith and featuring actor Arya. (Also read: 'Followed every protocol to make this safe': Pa Ranjith breaks silence on stuntman SM Raju's death on his film set) Following the death of stuntman SM Raju, Akshay Kumar launches insurance for 650 stunt crew members, providing crucial health coverage.(PTI) Akshay's scheme provides health, accident coverage The tragic incident spotlighted the safety standards in the entertainment industry. Recognising this gap, Akshay's new insurance scheme provides health and accident coverage for hundreds of action crew members. Veteran stunt professional Vikram Singh Dahiya, known for his work in films like Gunjan Saxena, Antim, OMG 2, and the upcoming Dhadak 2 and Jigra, said, "Thanks to Akshay sir, around 650 to 700 stuntmen and action crew members in Bollywood are now covered under insurance. The policy includes cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 to ₹5.5 lakh, whether the injury occurs on or off set.' Shocking death of stuntman Raju In a tragic turn of events, veteran stunt artist SM Raju lost his life after a stunt went horribly wrong on the sets of director Pa Ranjith's upcoming film. The incident occurred on 13 July, and a disturbing video from the shoot has since surfaced online, sparking shock and concern across the industry. The video shows Raju attempting a high-risk car-toppling stunt. As the vehicle hit the ramp, it lost control, flipped multiple times mid-air, and landed headfirst. It took a few moments for the crew to fully grasp the severity of the crash. When they rushed to the car, they found Raju critically injured. Despite immediate efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
