Latest news with #Sardar2
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
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Karthi meets 250 fans in Chennai, thanks them for blood donation on his birthday, says their love is a priceless blessing
Karthi, one of the leading actors of Tamil cinema, is currently acting in films including 'Sardar 2' and 'Marshal'. He continues to show his impact not just in films but also in social service, encouraging his fans to get involved in social welfare projects. On the occasion of Karthi's 48th birthday on May 25th this year, his fans across Tamil Nadu donated blood at government hospitals. Especially in Chennai, Karthi's fans participated in a blood donation camp at Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital. Karthi personally met the Chennai donors Karthi personally met and congratulated the 250 participants who participated in this event. The event was held in Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai. During the meeting, Karthi presented certificates to all of them and hosted a reception, as per Cinema Vikatan. Expressing regret over not being able to attend in person on his birthday, he said, 'I am not in town. But the news that you all donated blood made me very happy.' He also said, 'Even today, many people are struggling to get blood. The blood you donated has saved many children and families.' Karthi's emotional message Karthi then shared his feelings, 'When I look at each of you, you are like my own siblings. I can't thank you enough for your love all the time. I pray to God that you will work hard throughout your life and do things that you can be proud of," he said. At the end of the event, Karthi won the hearts of the fans by saying, 'Words are not enough to express how important this love is to me. I just want to say Love You to each and every one of you. What you have given me is a life, and that smile is a blessing to me,' he said.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Killer' first look out now! SJ Suryah's new avatar unveiled on his birthday
Actor and director SJ Suryah is currently working on several films. His filmography includes films like 'Love Insurance Kompany' and 'Sardar 2'. His last film as a director, 'Isai', was released in 2015. After that, he actively pursued acting and now, after a long break, has returned to the field as a director with a new film tilled 'Killer'. First look unveiled on SJ Suryah's birthday The first look posters of the film 'Killer' have now been released. While two different posters have been released, one features SJ Suryah in a stylish look with a gun in his hand. In another poster, he is seen carrying Preeti Asrani on his shoulder and holding a gun in his other hand. SJ Suryah unveiled the first look of 'Killer' as a gift to his fans on his birthday, and captioned it "EN ANBUM AARUYIRUMAANA Fans & Friends Presenting U the #KillerFirstLook as My Birthday gift to all of U , Tomorrow Morning all of U keep me in your prayers and I will keep U all in my prayers as always sjs." 'Killer', 'New' kind of film Speaking about 'Killer' at a public event last December, SJ Suryah mentioned that it will be like 'New 2'. It is noteworthy that a luxury car was imported from Germany for the film. Preethi Asrani , who starred in the film 'Ayodhi', plays the female lead in this movie. Further, AR Rahman is giving background music. With shooting currently in full swing, the film has created great expectations among fans.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Actor Vishal, stunt choreographer Silva condole ‘Vettuvam' stunt artist Mohanraj's death
Tamil actor Vishal on Sunday (July 13) extended his condolences to the family of stuntman Mohanraj, who tragically passed away while performing a stunt sequence during the shooting of director Pa Ranjith's upcoming film Vettuvam. The makers are yet to release an official statement. Taking to his X handle, Vishal expressed his condolences, calling Mohanraj "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 Popular stunt choreographer Silva also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased. "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 (sic)," he wrote on Instagram Mohanraj, 52, son of Selvaraj, hailed from Poongandam in Kancheepuram district. He was working as a stunt coordinator for the film Vettuvam, directed and produced by Pa Ranjith. The shoot had been underway in Alappakudi near Vizhunthamavadi village, in Keelaiyur police station limits since Thursday (July 10, 2025). The stunt trainer allegedly died during a car-toppling sequence for the film starring Arya. Around 10.40 a.m, Mohanraj reportedly experienced health complications during filming, after which he was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital at Orathur where doctors declared him brought dead. Ranjith's Vettuvam stars Arya in the lead. According to reports, the film also features Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashok Selvan and Dinesh among others. Earlier, Ranjith told PTI that his film revolves around a notorious gangster, Cholan, a modern-day Robin Hood, who establishes his control over the Ponni region of Tamil Nadu. As he fights to protect his people, he makes many enemies but also legions of supporters who swear by him. When his rivals realise that Cholan is too powerful for them, they harness the power of the state in an attempt to bring him down. 'The film is the story of an ordinary daily wage labourer's rise to a position of power,' says Ranjith. 'The deeper question that 'Vettuvam' will address hinges on power and on how historically those that wield power perpetuate a sense of inferiority and push people to the margins,' the filmmaker had revealed. According to news reports, the project is said to have a series sequel in development as well. It is to be noted that earlier this year, a stunt artist passed away on the sets of actor Karthi's film Sardar 2. S Ezhumalai, 54, a resident of New Washermenpet, was performing a stunt without any safety equipment for the Tamil film at LV Prasad studio, Chennai, when the tragedy struck. The film, which reunites Karthi with director PS Mithran, after the success of Sardar, is produced by Prince Pictures. (With inputs from PTI)
India.com
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Kajol roasts Ajay Devgn for his viral 'finger dancer' says, 'he is the only actor who..'
Kajol roasts Ajay Devgn for his viral 'finger dancer' says, 'he is the only actor who..' In Bollywood, there are some moments from a film that quickly catch the attention of the audience and become a part of the meme culture. One such viral and humorous moment appeared in a recently released song of Sardar 2. Ajay Devgn, the action hero, is known for his intense roles and strong performance; however, when it comes to his dance, he is often seen providing unintentional comic relief. Why is Ajay Devgn Creating Waves On Social Media? Recently, Ajay Devgn is creating waves on the internet once again, but this time it's not for his acting or his upcoming project, but his dance step in the newly released song of Son of Sardar 2. As soon as the Pehla Tu Duja Tu song came out, Ajay quickly grabbed attention for performing the hook steps using his fingers. Instead of grooving on the song, this unusual step of Ajay Devgn caused a buzz on social media and invited a flood of humorous reactions. While fans are trolling this hook step, what got even more entertaining was when Kajol went on to share her opinion on this. What Did Kajol Say on Ajay Devgn's Viral Finger Dance? While promoting her film 'Maa', Kajol was asked about her opinion on the 'finger step' of Ajay Devgn. Bursting into laughter, Kajol said with heavy sarcasm, 'I think Ajay Devgan is one of the best dancers in the industry… because now he's the only actor who can dance with his fingers.' Her reaction had the entire audience in splits. She further joked about how Ajay Devgn has evolved as a dancer, from walking stylishly in older songs to now counting beats on his fingers. What's interesting is that Ajay Devgn isn't being trolled for his dance for the first time. His 'finger choreography' was previously witnessed in the song Teri Dhoom Dham, which has also become a subject of memes and online humour. Kajol's light-hearted roast on Ajay Devgn's finger dance speaks about the friendly bond they share and how the couple knows how to laugh at each other, without taking it personally. Vijay Kumar's Son of Sardar is all set to hit the theatres on July 25,
