Latest news with #ThugLife
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Actor Silambarasan provides financial help to late stuntman SM Raju's family after tragic accident on 'Vettuvam' set
In a deeply moving act of solidarity, actor Silambarasan TR has quietly provided financial support to the family of veteran stuntman SM Raju, who tragically lost his life while performing a dangerous car stunt on the set of 'Vettuvam', directed by Pa. Ranjith. Despite having no involvement in the film, Silambarasan's gesture has touched hearts across the Tamil film industry. The fatal incident occurred on July 13, 2025 during the filming of a high-risk action sequence. While preliminary reports suggest that basic safety protocols were in place, the accident has reignited urgent discussions about the safety and welfare of stunt performers, who often risk their lives for on-screen spectacle. Silambarasan's contribution came to light during an emotional interview with renowned stunt choreographer Silva Master, who praised the actor not only for his timely financial aid but also for his ongoing charitable efforts, often carried out without fanfare. 'Silambarasan didn't have anything to do with the film, but he stepped in for the family without any publicity,' said Silva. 'It's not the first time he's done something like this. He always helps quietly, from the heart.' SM Raju's death has sent shockwaves through the industry, and condolences have been pouring in from actors, technicians, and fans alike. Legal proceedings have also been initiated under sections 289, 125, and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) against director Pa. Ranjith, stunt coordinator Vinoth, Rajkamal from Neelam Productions, and vehicle owner Prabhakaran. While the production of 'Vettuvam', which stars Arya in the lead role, is currently under review pending investigation, the tragic loss has highlighted systemic gaps in on-set safety — particularly for stunt artists who often go under-recognised despite their life-threatening work. Meanwhile, Silambarasan TR, last seen in 'Thug Life' directed by Mani Ratnam, is currently working on 'STR49', a highly anticipated collaboration with director Vetri Maaran set within the Vada Chennai universe. Though not a direct sequel, the project has garnered considerable buzz among fans.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Actor Silambarasan offers financial aid to late stuntman Mohan Raj's family
In a tragic turn for the Tamil film industry, veteran stuntman Mohan Raj lost his life during a high-risk car stunt on the sets of 'Vettuvam'. While the incident left the industry in shock, actor Silambarasan TR, unconnected to the project, silently extended financial support to the late stuntman's family, earning praise for his compassionate contribution was revealed during an emotional interview with stunt choreographer Silva Master, who praised STR for his consistent but low-profile charitable acts. Silambarasan's support has struck a chord across the industry, especially among stunt performers, who often operate in high-risk conditions with limited film, directed by Pa Ranjith and starring Arya, was in the middle of filming a high-risk action sequence on July 13 when the fatal accident occurred. Though basic safety protocols were reportedly followed, the tragedy has reignited urgent conversations around the need for stricter safety regulations and accountability on film sets. As condolences continue to pour in, legal proceedings have also begun. A case has been filed under sections 289, 125, and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) against director Pa. Ranjith, stunt coordinator Vinoth, Rajkamal from Neelam Productions, and vehicle owner the trailer: Meanwhile, Silambarasan was last seen in 'Thug Life', directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan. He is currently collaborating with Vetri Maaran on a highly anticipated project set in the 'Vada Chennai' universe. While it's not a direct sequel, the film, tentatively titled 'STR49', has already generated significant excitement among fans.- Ends
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Special Ops 2 actor Vinay Pathak: I find politicising a film morbid
Actor Vinay Pathak minces no words when it comes to sharing his thoughts on political controversies that engulf films. Citing his own film Phule, which starred Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa in lead roles, Vinay criticises those who stir outrage without even watching the movie. Vinay Pathak speaks up against targeting a film by politicizing it. 'I find politicising a film morbid. If you don't like it, you don't go. (But) the majority of the people who are criticising a film haven't seen it. I can guarantee you that. It is one of the bad practices of people, ' he tells us. Phule, a biopic on Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, initially ran into trouble with CBFC as it reportedly had caste references. Initially set to release on April 11, the film finally hit theatres on April 25. In recent times, several other films such as Dhadhak 2 and Thug Life too have faced political heat. Also Read| I am not very happy about my films going unnoticed: Vinay Pathak on his film Opium heading for NY Indian Film Fest 'A very small film (Phule) got blown out of proportion for no reason. But when it released, people loved it. Good content, good storytelling, and good cinema stay,' he adds. At 56, Vinay feels he has learnt to navigate the digital controversies and online trolls. 'I think I have cracked it!' he says triumphantly, adding, ' It's not that trolls are the new monsters. There have always been people who won't like your work and they always somehow make sure that you hear about it. I just take everything with a pinch of salt. If someone says 'I didn't like your film', then rightly so. And if that somebody has a platform of internet and they say something nasty, then be it. I am told sometimes they are bots. So, I would say that rather than being emotional about it be intelligent about it.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kamal Haasan's ‘KH 237' set to begin in August: Kalyani Priyadarshan joins the stylish actioner
Mani Ratnam 's 'Thug Life' starring Kamal Haaan did not meet the expectations. The film, which was released on June 5, received mixed reviews from the audience. However, it is currently receiving a good response on OTT. In this situation, it was announced that Kamal will next act in a film titled 'KH 237', directed by the famous stunt master Anbariv duo. This announcement has created great expectations among fans. Kalyani Priyadarshan roped in 'KH 237' The latest update about 'KH 237' is that Kalyani Priyadarshan will be playing a pivotal role as per News 18. Kalyani Priyadarshan, who captivated Tamil audiences with the film 'Maanaadu', is now garnering significant attention for her upcoming collaboration with Kamal Haasan in an important film. The addition of this Malayalam actress, who has acted in Tamil films like 'Hero' and 'Maanaadu', is expected to bring a new twist to the style of 'KH 237'. Anbariv duo directs Kamal Haasan in high-octane action film Anbariv, the twin duo, carved a special place in Indian cinema for their action sequences. Having worked on high-budget films like ' Vikram ' and 'Thug Life', the film's action and fight scenes are the talk of the town as they are now directing a film entirely for Kamal Haasan. Kamal Haasan will be seen sporting a new stylish look with long hair, adding to the appeal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Confirm: 60-Year-Old Sheds Fat With 4 Ingredients The Healthy Way Learn More Undo The story and production of the film have been completely started by the production house. 'KH 237' to begin shooting in August The shooting of 'KH 237' is said to begin in August. This super action film is expected to give fans an emotional and thrilling experience in the theater. Meanwhile, Shankar's 'Indian 3' is set to be another major release for Kamal Haasan. Recently, photos of Kamal Haasan, who has been elected as a member of the Tamil Nadu Rajya Sabha in his political journey, sharing his happiness with actor Rajinikanth, went viral on the internet.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Reign Of ‘Hurt Sentiments' Will Destroy Democracy
Last Updated: Only grounded, objective criteria - threat to public order, incitement to violence, defamation, obscenity - should govern permissible restrictions. The Supreme Court has rightly slammed the Karnataka government and the state film chamber for siding with the enemies of free speech. The apex court was aghast that no action was taken against those who threatened violence over the release of actor-politician Kamal Haasan's movie, Thug Life. The state government told the court that it had not imposed any restrictions on the film and also pledged to provide full security if the producers chose to release it. It was heartening to see in this case that the SC not just gave relief to the Thug Life makers but also wanted action against those who had issued threats. The apex court Bench, headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, was hearing petitions on June 19 filed by the Thug Life producer and a third party seeking guidelines on hate speech and threats of violence. Thug Life was scheduled for release in Karnataka on June 5, but got embroiled in controversy following Haasan's comment that the Kannada language was 'born out of Tamil." The comment was widely resented by pro-Kannada groups, which demanded an apology from Haasan. Taking a brave stance, he refused to apologise, despite the threat of imminent commercial losses because of the non-release of the movie in the state. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) also took a tough stand, saying that Thug Life would not be released without an apology from Haasan. When Haasan approached the Karnataka High Court, it chided him for his remarks and asked him to apologise. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, it not only criticised the Karnataka government but also reprimanded the state High Court for having urged Haasan to apologise. 'There is something wrong with the system when one person makes a statement and everyone gets involved. Why should the High Court say 'express an apology'? That is not its role," the SC said. On June 17, the Supreme Court pointed out that the rule of law requires a person to be able to release a film that has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court warned the state that it could not allow 'mobs and vigilante groups to take over," asserting that public sentiment should not override legal rights. It was only after the SC snub that the Karnataka government pledged to maintain law and order and ensure the peaceful release of Thug Life. The government clarified that it had not imposed any restrictions on the film's release and would provide necessary protection and security. This was not the first case in which the adversaries of free speech exploited the notion of 'hurt sentiments" to justify censorship. Public intellectuals assist them by raising the wrong questions, by debating whether protests over a film, book, or song are justified, and by asking whether someone's feelings were really hurt. They should be asking instead: can hurt sentiments be a basis for banning anything? Under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, freedom of expression may be regulated only by 'reasonable restrictions" for state security, friendly relations, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to offend. But nowhere does the Constitution permit restrictions based solely on hurt sentiments or feelings. The distinction is vital: while reasons can be scrutinized and debated objectively, sentiments are personal and cannot be uniformly measured or validated. Dictionaries define 'sentiment" as emotional attitudes or opinions influenced by feeling, and 'feeling" as unreasoned emotional reactions. By their nature, these are subjective—what deeply offends one group may leave another unmoved. Take, for example, the case of M.F. Husain: some Hindus found his work as hurtful, while others didn't. It must be mentioned here that the anti-blasphemy law, Section 299 of BNS, is used to gag free speech. Section 299 (which was earlier Section 295A of the IPC) says: 'Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic means or otherwise, insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both." Section 299 is logically untenable as it criminalises speech based on feelings, which—as we mentioned earlier—are subjective. Therefore, it is antithetical to India's constitutional spirit as it imposes vague restrictions on freedom of expression. The extant court cases are symptomatic of the systemic toxicity that sentimentalism has generated over the decades. Sentimentalism, along with its sibling sanctimoniousness, has supplanted reason in public discourse and political debate. Ranting, canting demagogues and intellectuals set the agenda, resulting in the silencing of dissent, throttling of creativity, and often atrocities against those who speak out—all in the name of soothing 'hurt sentiments.' This trend must be reversed. As Justice Bhuyan said, 'There is no end to hurt sentiments in India. If a stand-up comedian says something, sentiments are hurt, and there is vandalism… Where are we heading?" The reign of hurt sentiments must be dismantled from law and public life. Only grounded, objective criteria—threat to public order, incitement to violence, defamation, obscenity—should govern permissible restrictions. Otherwise, democracy will degenerate into mobocracy. The author is a freelance journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. First Published: June 26, 2025, 16:10 IST News opinion Opinion | Reign Of 'Hurt Sentiments' Will Destroy Democracy 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.
