Chethan Cheenu on 'Valluvan' stunt: 'I thought I would lose my life'
Synopsis
Chethan Cheenu didn't use a body double for 'Valluvan' — and one sequence nearly broke him. Locked inside a smoke-filled drum with no warning, the actor says he genuinely believed he was going to die. With the film releasing on 12 June, this raw confession is the starkest behind-the-scenes story to emerge from a Tamil set this year.
Key Takeaways
Chethan Cheenu performed all action sequences in 'Valluvan' without a body double.
A stunt involving a smoke-filled drum left the actor fearing for his life; he was not forewarned about the smoke.
A second risky sequence required him to jump from the fifth floor of a building. 'Valluvan' , directed by Shankar Sarathi , is based on a real-life incident and draws from classical Tamil text Thirukkural .
The film stars Ashna Zaveri opposite Cheenu and is produced by Shylekumar Rajendran under Aarupadai Productions .
The film is scheduled for release on 12 June .
Tamil actor Chethan Cheenu has revealed that a daring stunt sequence during the filming of director Shankar Sarathi's upcoming action thriller 'Valluvan' left him genuinely fearing for his life. The actor, speaking in an exclusive interview, said the experience shook him deeply — though he is relieved the shot ultimately turned out well.
The Stunt That Left Him Shaken
Cheenu disclosed that he performed all action sequences in 'Valluvan' without a body double, two of which were particularly dangerous. The first involved jumping from the fifth floor of a building during an escape-from-pursuers sequence. The second was far more unsettling.
'They put me in a blue drum and shut it. Then they smoked the drum. I felt suffocated and I thought for a minute that I was about to die. They never told me that they were going to let smoke into the drum,' Cheenu said. The actor described the moment as rattling, though he added he was glad the footage came out as intended.
About the Film
'Valluvan' is inspired by a real-life incident and draws its essence from four couplets of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural. Actress Ashna Zaveri plays the female lead alongside Cheenu, with the supporting cast including Sai Dheena, Prem Kumar, Mesa Rajendran, and Karate Raja.
The film is produced by Shylekumar Rajendran under the banner Aarupadai Productions, written and directed by Shankar Sarathi, with cinematography by Suresh Bala, editing by San Lokesh, and music composed by Ashwath. 'Valluvan' is slated for release on 12 June.
Cheenu's Parallel Project
Beyond 'Valluvan', Chethan Cheenu is also headlining 'Gentleman 2', produced by noted producer K T Kunjumon. The dual-lead commitment underscores a busy phase for the actor, who appears to be building a reputation for physically demanding roles.
What to Watch For
With its grounding in a real incident and its Thirukkural-inspired narrative framework, 'Valluvan' is positioning itself as a thematically distinct entry in Tamil commercial cinema. The actor's candid account of on-set risk adds a layer of authentic behind-the-scenes intrigue ahead of the 12 June release.
Point of View
But the line between spectacle and negligence deserves scrutiny. That the actor frames near-suffocation as a happy accident — because 'the shot came out well' — reflects an industry norm where physical risk is routinely absorbed into the star's narrative capital rather than flagged as a process failure.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What dangerous stunt did Chethan Cheenu perform in 'Valluvan'?
Chethan Cheenu was locked inside a drum that was then filled with smoke, without being told in advance about the smoke. He said the experience left him suffocated and convinced, for a moment, that he was going to die.
Did Chethan Cheenu use a body double for the stunts in 'Valluvan'?
No. Cheenu confirmed he performed all stunt sequences in the film himself, without a body double, including a fifth-floor jump and the smoke-drum sequence.
When is 'Valluvan' releasing?
'Valluvan' is scheduled for theatrical release on 12 June.
What is 'Valluvan' about?
'Valluvan' is an action thriller directed by Shankar Sarathi, based on a real-life incident and inspired by four couplets from the classical Tamil text Thirukkural. It stars Chethan Cheenu and Ashna Zaveri in the lead roles.
Who else is part of the 'Valluvan' cast and crew?
The supporting cast includes Sai Dheena, Prem Kumar, Mesa Rajendran, and Karate Raja. The film is produced by Shylekumar Rajendran under Aarupadai Productions, with music by Ashwath, cinematography by Suresh Bala, and editing by San Lokesh.
