Heartbroken after hearing the news of the demise of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, actor Sunil Kirpalani, popularly known as Kadhal Oviyam Kannan, shared a heartfelt condolence message in an exclusive conversation with CE. The actor, whose lone film was the director's 1982 romantic musical drama with Radha before Sakthi Thirumagan (2025), said that the disruptive filmmaker's lessons he learnt on the sets of the film carried over into his corporate life in the US.

"I was all of 16 when 16 Vayathinile came out, little did I know I would be Bharathiraja sir's hero in five years. He literally picked me up from the streets of Chennai and made me someone. In addition to the movie lessons, Bharathiraja sir imparted a lot of life lessons to me on the sets that I couldn't have done without in my corporate life in the US," shared a grateful Sunil, who also spoke about the 'staying power of brand' he found in Bharathiraja as his re-entry into films with the Vijay Antony starrer too was facilitated by his 'gurunathar'.

Recalling his visit to India in 2023 and his meeting with Bharathiraja, Sunil said, "The photos I clicked with Bharathiraja sir became viral, and those photos were seen by Chitralakshmanan sir, who called on me for an interview, which was seen by Sakthi Thirumagan, director Arun Prabu. That is Bharathiraja sir's staying power for you. Then Kadhal Oviyam was the only film I did, and it was 42 years old, but that still made a filmmaker consider me for a role. I cannot imagine what I would have been without him and Kadhal Oviyam experience. I will sorely miss Bharathiraja sir, I will be paying my respects to him when I visit India in July," he said.

The Indian film industry is in shock and disbelief over the demise of the legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja on Wednesday. He 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 Padma Shri recipient in 2004.