Among the many who shared their thoughts about the late Bharathiraja are actor Mohanlal and director Tharun Moorthy. Notably, Tharun Moorthy's film Thudarum, starring Mohanlal, also features the late filmmaker in a cameo role. The film stars him as Stunt Master Palani Swamy, the mentor of Mohanlal's character, 'Benz' Shanmugham.

"A director who found poetry in the soil, truth in silence, and soul in every frame. Sharing screen space with Bharathiraja Sir in Thudarum was an honour I will cherish forever," Mohanlal wrote. Mohanlal added, "Rest in peace, Sir. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations, and your presence will be deeply missed."

It is worth noting that Thudarum has a sequence where Shanmugham, a former stuntman who lives a low-profile life as a car service provider, visits Bharathiraja's character in Tamil Nadu. The filmmaker's character dies in the Malayalam blockbuster, and a sequence shows his affectionate bond with Shanmugham.

There is also a sequence where Mohanlal speaks in Tamil to Ilavarasu (who plays himself) and asks him about his stunt master. Bharathiraja and Ilavarasu are only among the two elements of Tamil cinema and culture integrated into Thudarum's story. It is worth noting that the film's main character, played by Mohanlal, is also an admirer of Ilaiyaraaja's music.

On the other hand, Tharun Moorthy shared stills featuring him and his team with the legendary filmmaker from the Thudarum set. "Thank you, Master," the director wrote, followed by a broken hearts emoticon. He added, "Memories Thudarum forever" (memories will continue forever)."

In the location stills, Bharathiraja can be seen in a jovial mood as he interacts with Mohanlal, Tharun and more. According to reports, Thudarum was shot across about 100 days, starting 2024 April third week. The filmmaker's health worsened a year later, where he had respiratory issues.