2 minutes ago
- Copy link
Recently, stuntman Mohanraj alias Raju died during a dangerous stunt on the set of the Tamil film ‘Vetvam’. This incident has once again exposed the safety pole in the industry. All India Cine Workers (AICWA) have raised many questions by releasing press release regarding this incident. Also, there are many demands regarding the safety of the stuntman.
It has also been told in the press release that All India Cine Workers will soon meet Labor Minister of India, Mr. Dr. Mansukh Mandavia for their demands. In his meeting, all of them will insist on enacting a national safety law for those working in high -risk roles like cine workers, especially in high -risk roles like Stuntman.
Tagging PM Narendra Modi and Labor Minister Mansukh Mandavia on X, it was said by All India Cine Workers- ‘The tragic death of Stuntman Mohanraj during a dangerous stunt scene in Tamil film Vetuvam has shaken the nation’s conscience. Not only because a person lost his life, but also because after this the case was organized in a systematic manner and ignored shocking. However, a leaked video from the set has now surfaced, which clearly shows that the Vettuvam was without any adequate protection, medical backup or safety protocol while doing live stunts on the camera, causing him to die. This is not just a lie but a crime.
All India Cine Workers further wrote- ‘In most cases, more than 90% of stuntmen in India work without insurance, while the production house shows a handful of insured professionals falsely claims that the entire industry is a cover. We appreciate actor Akshay Kumar, who has taken a personal initiative to insure some stuntmen
We need answers to some questions-
- Why was Mohanraj asked to do dangerous stunts without full medical approval and support?
- Why was there no world class safety equipment, an ambulance and any trauma care doctor on the set?
- Why did the producer and production house say this to public and officials?
Apart from this, All India Cine Workers have also made many demands regarding the safety of the stuntman.
- Judicial inquiry into Mohanraj’s death and a criminal charge against the producer and production house.
- Compulsory insurance for each stuntman and technician before shooting starts.
- Like Hollywood or International Cinema, World Class Safety Protocol for each stunt.
- Strict government guidelines regarding safety will be implemented on the set by the Ministry of Labor and the State Authority.
- During the shooting, the families of the dead workers will be given compensation of Rs 1 crore by production insurance.
All India Cine Workers have also alleged that when someone does a superstar stunt, world class safety is arranged. But when a stuntman does the same stunt, cheap arrangements are made because their lives are considered cheap.
He said- ‘Stunt artists are the real action hero of Indian films. These are the same people who jump from buildings, crash cars, hang from helicopters, so that the stars can shine on the screen. Nevertheless, their life is ignored, their injury is hidden, and when the tragedy comes, their families have nothing left.
Every year, many stuntmen are killed on the set. They get crippled for a lifetime. They get burnt, paralyzed, or injured mentally and physically. And yet, there is no Nation Wide Safety Act. No compulsory insurance scheme is applicable, and no accountability is fixed on producers, channels and production houses. The Indian industry cannot be formed by the blood of its workers. Every stuntman’s life is precious, not just one star.
Let me tell you that on July 13, the shooting of Arya and director Pi -Ranjit’s upcoming film ‘Vetvam’ was going on in Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and stuntman Mohanraj lost his life while filming a stunt scene from the car.