On Wednesday, K Bhagyaraj completed 50 years in cinema, and an event was organised to commemorate the same in Chennai. Speaking at the event, the ace filmmaker recalled how he came into the industry and also shared an anecdote about his name from his 16 Vayathinile days.
"To me, it feels like I have spent only 15 or 20 years in the industry, so it is hard to believe that I have actually completed 50 years. When I started out, it was only because of my mother’s belief in me and the encouragement of my friends that I found the confidence to enter the film industry," the Mundhanai Mudichu filmmaker said about completing half a century.
For the unversed, Bhagyaraj first started out with a small cameo appearance, as a junior artist, in Bharathiraja's debut, 16 Vayathinile. Speaking about the same, he said, "My first opportunity came with Bharathiraja sir’s 16 Vayathinile. Even yesterday, when I met Kamal Haasan sir, we spoke about how everyone who worked on the film saw their careers rise within two years of its release."
He then shared an anecdote from the film's sets. "In those days, as a youngster, there were moments when I would introduce myself as Kovai Raja rather than Bhagyaraj, simply to show off. However, when the title credits for 16 Vayathinile were being finalised, I was asked what initial should precede Raja. That was when I said I did not want to let go of the ‘bhagyam’ or fortune in my name, which my mother had given me. Even Bharathiraja sir was surprised to learn who K Bhagyaraj was, and that was when he was told that it was, in fact, my real name."
Also having worked as an assistant in the film, Bhagyaraj went on to work with Bharathiraja in films like Kizhake Pogum Rail and Sigappu Rojakkal. He made his acting debut with Puthiya Vaarpugal, for which he also contributed as a writer. He made his directorial debut with Suvarilladha Chiththirangal, in which he starred alongside Sudhakar and Sumathi. His most recent film as director was Siddhu +2. On the acting front, he was last seen in Kuberaa.
