Veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away on Monday, due to ill health and other ailments, at his residence in Chennai. He was 85. The exact cause of his demise is still not known.
Bharathiraja's health had been serious ever since his son Manoj passed away due to a cardiac arrest at the mere age of 48, back in March 2025. Visuals from his demise and final rites featured a very shattered Bharathiraja, who couldn't come to terms with the death. Recently the filmmaker's brother, Jayaraj Periyamayathevar, revealed that Bharathiraja's mental health was still very low and that he was not able to cope with the loss.
In December last year, the filmmaker fell very sick and was admitted to a hospital in T Nagar, Chennai. Back then, it was reported that he was admitted to the hospital after experiencing respiratory problems such as wheezing. However, it is unclear if the same health issues caused his demise.
Bharathiraja made his directorial debut with 16 Vayathinile in 1977, a year after his son was born. Some of his popular directorials include Kizhake Pogum Rail, Sigappu Rojakkal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Kaadhal Oviyam, and Mudhal Mariyathai, among others. The filmmaker helmed nearly 40 films, earning the title Iyakkunar Immayam through the years. He has also acted in various films, with his most recent appearance in Mohanlal's Thudarum. On the directorial front, his most recent work is a segment from Modern Love Chennai, titled Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal.
On the acting front, the director's Pulavar will be his last film, which is yet to release. Some of his other popular acting credits include Aayutha Ezhuthu, Pandianadu, Eeswaran, Thiruchitrambalam and Maharaja, among others.
