Tragedy struck the sets of SJ Suryah's upcoming directorial Killer on Wednesday, as a technician died and three others were injured after a gas balloon cylinder reportedly exploded during the shoot.
The upcoming film, which has been in production since the end of June 2025 in various locations, was being shot at the B&C Mill premises in the Otteri area in Chennai for its latest schedule when the incident happened. More than a hundred technicians and workers have been involved in the filming process over the past few days.
On the early hours of Wednesday, at around 3.30 am, a gas balloon cylinder reportedly exploded during filming, triggering a fire accident on the set. In the incident, Madhan (26), a technician from Maduravoyal, died on the spot. Three others—Sakthivel (27) from Kundrathur, Surya (23) from Maduravoyal, and Dinakaran (24) from Nerkundram—sustained injuries.
Their co-workers immediately rescued all four and rushed them to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. While doctors at the hospital declared Madhan dead on arrival, the injured workers are currently undergoing treatment. Police officials from the Otteri area have registered a case and are investigating the incident. With the filming halted, production on the film is expected to face a massive setback following the incident.
Earlier this year, SJ Suryah sustained injuries while shooting a stunt sequence in Chennai’s Palavakkam using a rope when he hit a rod and injured both his legs.
SJ Suryah is directing the film with his own screenplay and dialogues. It marks his return to directing after 2015's Isai. The film reunites him with composer AR Rahman after multiple projects, including 2005's Anbe Aaruyire. Preethi Asrani plays the female lead. Other members of the cast have not been announced yet.
Killer is described as a pan-Indian thriller with a blend of action, comedy, and romance. Suryah himself has revealed that it would be like a blend of his directorial Kushi, the 2000 film starring Vijay and Jyotika, and a James Bond film. The film is produced by Sree Gokulam Movies, marking its debut in Tamil cinema, in association with Suryah's Angel Studios.
While a release date has not been revealed, it is set to hit theatres in five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi.
