The High Cost of Action: Film Stunts Have Consumed Many Lives

Stunt master Mohan Raj, also known as SM Raju , tragically died on July 13, 2025, during the filming of a car-toppling sequence for the Tamil film Vettuvam, directed by Pa. Ranjith. The car stunt reportedly went wrong, leading to severe injuries that he succumbed to after being rushed to the hospital. The world of film stunts is inherently dangerous, and unfortunately, there have been many instances of stunt professionals, including stunt masters and action directors, facing severe injuries or even death on set. Here's a list of notable instances: Brandon Lee - The Crow (1993): The actor, and son of Bruce Lee, died on set due to a prop gun malfunction. Joi Harris - Deadpool 2 (2017): A professional road racer, Harris was performing a stunt on a motorcycle when she lost control and crashed into a building. She died at the scene. John Bernecker - The Walking Dead (TV Series, 2017): A stuntman, Bernecker died after falling over 20 feet onto a concrete floor during a rehearsal. Kun Liu - The Expendables 2 (2012): A stuntman and martial artist, Liu was killed in an explosion stunt that went wrong. Sonny Chiba (and his Japan Action Club) - The Street Fighter (1974): While no one died on this particular film, Sonny Chiba, a legendary martial artist and action choreographer, was known for his intense and often dangerous stunts, pushing the boundaries of what was considered safe. His Japan Action Club (JAC) was famous for its rigorous training and groundbreaking action sequences, though this also led to numerous injuries for its members over the years. Many accidents and near-misses occur on film sets that are not widely reported. Also Read : Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Deepa Arts bags Ceded rights Mahavatar Narsimha to be released by Geetha Arts