Among the many celebrities who shared their condolences for noted filmmaker Bharathiraja's demise, actor Napoleon expressed his shock and disbelief on the veteran's demise, and shared a few heartfelt words on his guru.
In a video message from his residence in the US, Napoleon expressed his deep sorrow at being unable to pay his final respects to him in person. "He was ailing for a really long time and I kept checking in on Bharathiraja's health with his daughter Janani. She would assure me that all was well. When the news first came, I thought it would be a rumour. A month ago, a similar fake news spread and Janani told me that it was indeed untrue. I thought this latest news would too be fake," he said, with a heavy heart.
The actor said he believed the news only after confirming it with Janani. "She told me that she was on the airplane and is heading home to see her father who passed away. It was only after that I got to know that this was true. My guru is everything for me. His pride and works will continue living among us. On behalf me and my family, we are paying our tearful respect and sadness to him, his family and the many fans who are grieving his loss," he added.
For the unversed, Napoleon began his film journey playing the villain in director Bharathiraja's village-based drama Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991). It was Bharathiraja who bestowed upon Kumaresan the screen name 'Napoleon,' a name that would go on to become synonymous with his prolific acting career spanning more than 100 films in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu cinema.
The filmmaker's 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 made his 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.
After homage from public and many members of the film fraternity, Bharathiraja's mortal remains arrived in Theni on Thursday morning. It will be kept for residents in and around the area to pay their last respects. His last rites are scheduled to take place in his hometown at around 3 pm.