The Indian film industry is in shock and disbelief over the demise of the legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja on Wednesday. Actor Ravi, whose moniker Nizhalgal became an inseparable part of his identity, shared his grief and fond memories over the passing away of his 'gurunathar'. In an exclusive conversation with CE, Nizhalgal Ravi heaped praise on Bharathiraja's impeccable ability to find talent.
He said, "It is no big deal to make a great movie with talented and trained actors, but Bharathiraja sir is among the very few filmmakers in the Indian industry who can effortlessly hone unseasoned actors and pull off classics." Elaborating on how fortunate it was for him to be launched by Bharathiraja, he hailed the legend's Midas touch. "Bharathiraja sir ku raasiyaana kai. No one introduced by him has ever failed. He is a banyan tree, under whose supervision many other banyan trees grew. Take, for example, Bhagyaraj sir or Manivannan sir, who also introduced several others in the industry."
On the training the fledgling actors receive under Bharathiraja's stewardship, Nizhalgal Ravi said all film institutes put together cannot scale the height of the 'Iyakkunar Imayam'. The actor shares, "I am not sure if I would have learned this much had I gone to study in a film institute instead of working on Nizhalgal with Bharathiraja sir. Forget one film, acting in even one scene directed by Bharathiraja is a good enough acting lesson. He teaches you where to see, how to position yourself in a frame, and how to respond to music, without making it look like a teaching session. I learned more in Nizhalgal than any film institute could teach. He is a master filmmaker and an exceptional human. I will miss, like the rest of the film fraternity members."
Following his launch in Nizhalgal, Ravi went on to collaborate with Bharathiraja in films like Mann Vasanai and Vedham Pudhithu.
Veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away due to ill health and other ailments, at his residence in Chennai. He was 85. It is worth noting that Bharathiraja was facing a bout of ill-health with complaints of respiratory issues. He was hospitalised late last year and was discharged shortly, only to be admitted again a few months later.
Bharathiraja has won six National and State Awards in his career spanning over five decades. Hailed for bringing cinema outside of studios to the verdant rural milieu of Tamil Nadu, he was also a Padmashri recipient in 2004.