After paying his last respects, Rajinikanth underlined how Bharathiraja ensured help for directors, actors, and other members of the film fraternity in terms of distress. But the veteran director-actor was also known for lending his voice for state and national political issues, so much that he once returned his Padma Shri title to Central Government in a show of protest.

At the height of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009, Bharathiraja led several protests against the Indian and Sri Lankan governments to demand an immediate ceasefire and called for justice for Tamil civilians caught in the war.

A key meeting was held on the South Indian Film Chamber premises in Chennai by the Film Industry Tamil Eelam Support Movement which was attended by film industry personalities and prominent non-political campaigners of the Lankan Tamil cause. At the end of the meeting, three resolutions were taken forward, one of which was Bharathiraja returning his Padma Shri award - India's fourth-highest civilian honor - that was presented to him in 2004.

At the time, Bharathiraja had asked, "Shall we throw it or break it?" to which the crowd shourted, "Break it!". However, director Cheran suggested that they return it to the Central government. His decision was later accepted by the government.

Along with leading figures from the Tamil film industry, including directors Seeman, Cheran, Ameer, and actor Sathyaraj he also organised rallies, fasting protests, and public demonstrations. During the same year, he, along with a group of filmmakers, launched an extensive campaign opposing Congress candidates across Tamil Nadu during that year's Lok Sabha elections as they were angered with the Congress-led government's inability to intervene and halt the conflict.

Bharathiraja passed away at the age of 85 due to age-related illnesses. His health had been deteriorating ever since his son Manoj passed away due to a cardiac arrest at the mere age of 48, back in March 2025. He directorial debut with 16 Vayathinile in 1977. In his five-decade-long career, the veteran was known for bringing Tamil cinema, rooted, rustic and realistic stories, which were mostly set in the villages. Popularly known as 'Iyakkunar Immayam', Bharathiraja's popular directorials include Kizhake Pogum Rail, Sigappu Rojakkal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Kaadhal Oviyam, and Mudhal Mariyathai, among others. His most recent work as a director was a segment from Modern Love Chennai (2023), titled Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal.