On Saturday, the Kollywood industry woke up to the shocking news of the demise of veteran actor and director, K Bhagyaraj. The Mundhanai Mudichu filmmaker breathed his last on Saturday morning, at the age of 73, after suffering from a cardiac arrest.

Following the demise, the mortal remains of the actor-director returned to his residence after clearance from the hospital. Even before the remains could reach the residence, the members of the press and other well-wishers of the family already swarmed the place. However, as they attempted to deboard the mortal remains from the ambulance, the press began barging in, following which Radikaa Sarathkumar pleaded for them to give them some privacy.

With folded palms, a distraught Radikaa said, "A humble request to all the press here. Cinema is our occupation, but we are also humans at the end of the day. If you want drama for the sake of TRP ratings, I will deliver that through films. Here, give us some privacy, please." Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, the actor-director's son, was also seen devastated as he was taken away by Radikaa and others.

Bhagyaraj and Radikaa have shared the screen in films like Bhama Rukmini and Indru Poi Naalai Vaa. Bhagyaraj's most notable films include Suvarilladha Chiththirangal (1979), Oru Kai Osai (1980), Mouna Geethangal (1981), Andha 7 Naatkal (1981), Darling, Darling, Darling (1982), Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), Dhavani Kanavugal (1984), Chinna Veedu (1985), Enga Chinna Rasa (1987), and Avasara Police 100 (1990).

Bhagyaraj is survived by his wife and fellow actor Poornima Jayaram and his two children—Saranya Bhagyaraj and Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, who is also an actor in Tamil cinema.

According to reports, his last rites are scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, at 1.30 pm at the Besant Nagar crematorium.