Actor and historian Mohan Raman, in his condolence message for legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, praised him for producing a lot of talent and replenishing Tamil cinema for decades. In an exclusive conversation with CE, the actor said that Bharathiraja holds the impeccable record of mentoring a lot of successful directors and actors. "This record even his contemporaries, who are greats, cannot claim. Bharathiraja mentored Bhagyaraj and Manivannan, from whom emerged Parthiban, Pandiayarajan, and they go on to nurture other talented filmmakers."
Sharing his priceless moment with Bharathiraja in the sets of Vijayakanth starrer Tamizh Selvan, he says, "There is a scene where my character has to yell at Vijayakanth sir's character in English. He let me decide the line on my own. That confidence in me, and after the film, he praised me, saying that he did not see me but my character alone. I consider that to be my biggest compliment ever."
Explaining the unique quality in Bharathiraja, Mohan says that he understood his world really well. "That is his biggest strength. Like how Balachander sir understood the urban middle class, Bharathiraja sir was well-versed in rural life. He had firsthand knowledge of who his characters were. Though the two legends branched out to make films outside their comfort zones, they stuck to their core and therefore made a mark."
Ruing over the loss of Bharathiraja, Mohan Raman says it was an absolute privilege to know him. "We are losing all the greats one by one from KB sir, Mahendran sir, Balu Mahendra sir and now Bharathiraja sir. SP Muthuraman sir remains the last link to the golden era of films. I am very fortunate and privileged to have learned from these legends."
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.
