Condolences have been pouring in for noted filmmaker-actor Bharathiraja who passed away at the age of 85 on Wednesday, with many celebrities making a beeline to his residence to pay their last respects to the veteran. Among the many who shared their sadness and grief on his demise was filmmaker Seenu Ramasamy.

In his long poetic note, the Thenmerku Paruvakaatru said, "A giant tree has fallen; Our Vaigai River has run dry; The chameleons in our red-soil forests have perished; A fire has broken out in the Western Ghats."

Praising his filmmaking style, humility and generosity, he said that a "creator like him will never be born again." "The simple love with which you embraced everyone, and the encouragement you generously offered to artists with kindness and affection, will never fade away. Though you, who spoke the stories of the land, have now merged with the soil itself,
the warmth of humanity that you left behind will never dry up," he said.

He further said that his films like Kadalora Kavithaigal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Muthal Mariyathai and Kizhakku Cheemayile, along with his iconic line, 'My beloved Tamil people' at the beginning of every film "are beyond the reach of time and will never perish."

A few years ago, Bharathiraja met and embraced Seenu Ramasamy following the release of Maamanithan (2022), expressing deep admiration for his work and stating that he sees Ramasamy as his own son.

Bharathiraja's health had been serious ever since his son Manoj passed away due to a cardiac arrest at the mere age of 48, back in March 2025. Visuals from his demise and final rites featured a very shattered Bharathiraja, who couldn't come to terms with the death.

Bharathiraja made his directorial debut with 16 Vayathinile in 1977, a year after his son was born. Some of his popular directorials include Kizhake Pogum Rail, Sigappu Rojakkal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Kaadhal Oviyam, and Mudhal Mariyathai, among others. On the directorial front, his most recent work is a segment from Modern Love Chennai, titled Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal.