<p>Mumbai: Days after stunt artist S Mohanraj alias S M Raju died during a shooting sequence in Tamil Nadu, the Mumbai-based All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is planning to meet Union Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to press for a national safety law for all cine workers, especially those in high-risk roles like stuntmen.</p><p>“Stunt performers are the real action heroes of Indian films. They are the ones who jump from buildings, crash cars, hang from helicopters — so that stars can shine on screen. Yet, their lives are ignored, their injuries are hidden, and their families are left with nothing when tragedy strikes. Every year, multiple stuntmen are killed on set, crippled for life, burned, paralyzed, or left mentally and physically scarred. Still, no nationwide safety law exists, no mandatory insurance scheme is enforced, and no accountability is fixed on producers, channels and production houses,” AIWCA said.</p><p>"In Indian cinema, the life of a stuntman holds no value once the camera stops rolling. “In Indian cinema, when a superstar performs a stunt, world-class safety is arranged. But when a stuntman performs the same, cheap arrangements are made because their life is considered cheap,” AICWA said.</p>.Bollywood stunt master dies in accident.<p>Mohanraj, the 52-year-old stunt artist, who hailed from Poongandam in Kanchipuram district, died while performing a stunt for Tamil film Vettuvam in Nagapattinam district. The Keelaiyur police have registered a case.</p><p>In a press statement, posted on X, the AICWA said: “The tragic death of stuntman Mohanraj during a dangerous stunt sequence for the Tamil film Vettuvam has shaken the conscience of the nation — not only because a life was lost, but because of the systematic cover-up and shocking neglect that followed. However, a leaked video from the set has now surfaced, clearly exposing that he died while performing a live stunt on camera, without adequate safety, medical backup, or protection protocols. This is not just a lie — it is a crime.”</p>.<p>The apex body of film workers pointed out that in most cases, over 90 per cent of stuntmen in India work without insurance, even though production houses showcase a handful of insured professionals to falsely claim that the entire industry is covered. This is a gross misrepresentation and exploitation of real-life heroes.</p><p>"We acknowledge and appreciate actor Akshay Kumar, who has taken personal initiative to insure some stuntmen — but that alone does not reflect the industry-wide reality,” it said.</p><p>The AICWA alleged that in the Indian film industry, when a worker or stunt performer dies on set, the default response from producers, production houses, and channels is to hide the truth. “They quickly label the death as a “natural cause” to avoid shooting delays or financial losses, and to dodge legal responsibilities. Most families of the deceased are offered no compensation — and if anything is given, it is a meager Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh, which is nothing compared to a human life lost in the line of duty,” it said.</p><p>Raising questions, it said: “Why was Mohanraj made to perform a dangerous stunt without full medical clearance and support? Why was there no proper world-class safety equipment, no ambulance on standby, and no trauma care doctor on set? Why did the producers and production house speak to the public and to authorities?”</p>
<p>Mumbai: Days after stunt artist S Mohanraj alias S M Raju died during a shooting sequence in Tamil Nadu, the Mumbai-based All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is planning to meet Union Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to press for a national safety law for all cine workers, especially those in high-risk roles like stuntmen.</p><p>“Stunt performers are the real action heroes of Indian films. They are the ones who jump from buildings, crash cars, hang from helicopters — so that stars can shine on screen. Yet, their lives are ignored, their injuries are hidden, and their families are left with nothing when tragedy strikes. Every year, multiple stuntmen are killed on set, crippled for life, burned, paralyzed, or left mentally and physically scarred. Still, no nationwide safety law exists, no mandatory insurance scheme is enforced, and no accountability is fixed on producers, channels and production houses,” AIWCA said.</p><p>"In Indian cinema, the life of a stuntman holds no value once the camera stops rolling. “In Indian cinema, when a superstar performs a stunt, world-class safety is arranged. But when a stuntman performs the same, cheap arrangements are made because their life is considered cheap,” AICWA said.</p>.Bollywood stunt master dies in accident.<p>Mohanraj, the 52-year-old stunt artist, who hailed from Poongandam in Kanchipuram district, died while performing a stunt for Tamil film Vettuvam in Nagapattinam district. The Keelaiyur police have registered a case.</p><p>In a press statement, posted on X, the AICWA said: “The tragic death of stuntman Mohanraj during a dangerous stunt sequence for the Tamil film Vettuvam has shaken the conscience of the nation — not only because a life was lost, but because of the systematic cover-up and shocking neglect that followed. However, a leaked video from the set has now surfaced, clearly exposing that he died while performing a live stunt on camera, without adequate safety, medical backup, or protection protocols. This is not just a lie — it is a crime.”</p>.<p>The apex body of film workers pointed out that in most cases, over 90 per cent of stuntmen in India work without insurance, even though production houses showcase a handful of insured professionals to falsely claim that the entire industry is covered. This is a gross misrepresentation and exploitation of real-life heroes.</p><p>"We acknowledge and appreciate actor Akshay Kumar, who has taken personal initiative to insure some stuntmen — but that alone does not reflect the industry-wide reality,” it said.</p><p>The AICWA alleged that in the Indian film industry, when a worker or stunt performer dies on set, the default response from producers, production houses, and channels is to hide the truth. “They quickly label the death as a “natural cause” to avoid shooting delays or financial losses, and to dodge legal responsibilities. Most families of the deceased are offered no compensation — and if anything is given, it is a meager Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh, which is nothing compared to a human life lost in the line of duty,” it said.</p><p>Raising questions, it said: “Why was Mohanraj made to perform a dangerous stunt without full medical clearance and support? Why was there no proper world-class safety equipment, no ambulance on standby, and no trauma care doctor on set? Why did the producers and production house speak to the public and to authorities?”</p>