Veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away on Wednesday, due to ill health and other ailments, at his residence in Chennai. He was 85.
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. On the directorial front, his most recent work is a segment from Modern Love Chennai, titled Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal.
In his career spanning half a century, the filmmaker was known for bringing a change to the way Tamil films were made. He took films out of studios and to rooted villages with the protagonists also representing the rural population. His films often reminded one of the countryside, rich with greenery, fertile soil and petrichor. The filmmaker helmed nearly 40 films, earning the title Iyakkunar Immayam through the years.
From his school days, he developed an interest in acting. Growing up watching stage dramas, he eventually began writing plays himself. Bharathiraja’s plays such as Oor Sirikkiradhu and Summa Oru Kadhai were considered innovative.
He has also acted in various films, with his most recent appearance in Mohanlal's Thudarum. On the acting front, the director's Pulavar will be his last film, which is yet to be released. Some of his other popular acting credits include Aayutha Ezhuthu, Pandianadu, Eeswaran, Thiruchitrambalam and Maharaja, among others.
The director was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2004. His first award came for his debut from the Tamil Nadu government in 1977. From the state government, he was also awarded Best Director for Alaigal Oivathillai, and Best Film Portraying Film in Good Light for Karuthamma, among others.
He was awarded his first National Film Award for Best Feature Film Telugu for Seethakoka Chilaka (1982). He has won two National Film Awards for Best Feature Film Tamil for Mudhal Mariyathai and Anthimanthaarai. His Vedham Pudhithu won a National Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues, while his Karuththamma won the award for being the best on Family Welfare. He also won the Best Screenplay National Award for Kadal Pookkal.
