Director Pa. Ranjith And Three Others Booked After Stunt Artist Dies During 'Vettuvam' Film Shoot

Pa Ranjith, Three Others Booked After Stunt Artist's Death: Tamil filmmaker Pa. Ranjith has reportedly been booked by the Keelaiyur police following the death of stunt coordinator Mohanraj during the filming of Vettuvam in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, July 13, during the shoot of a car stunt sequence, has led to legal action against Ranjith and three other members of the production team, Rajkamal, Vinoth, and Prabhakaran, under three sections, including charges of alleged negligence and failure to ensure safety measures, according to reports from One India Tamil and Minnambalam.

The fatal accident took place on set while a car jump stunt was being filmed. Mohanraj, 52, who was inside the vehicle, reportedly lost control, causing the car to overturn. He was rushed to the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

AICWA Call for Accountability and Safety Measures

As per reports, police have launched an investigation and visited the shooting location. Authorities have reportedly stated that summonses will be issued to the four individuals named in the case. The film, an action drama, is jointly produced by Pa Ranjith's Neelam Studios and Golden Ratio Films. Actor Dinesh, known for Attakathi, plays the lead role, with Arya cast as the antagonist.

The tragedy has sparked broader concerns within the film industry. The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA), in a statement reported by Asianet News Malayalam, condemned the incident and called for accountability. The organization demanded that legal proceedings be initiated against director Pa Ranjith and the producers and urged them to offer ₹1 crore in financial aid to the bereaved family of Mohanraj (also identified as S.M. Raju in some reports).

AICWA also emphasized the need for mandatory safety audits on film sets across the country. The association alleged that in many productions, safety protocols are often neglected to reduce costs. It announced plans to submit a formal petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, seeking government intervention to improve working conditions for film crew members.

Following the registration of the case, the industry awaits further updates on the investigation and any potential reforms that may arise in response to the incident.