Filmmaker Sarkunam expressed his grief over the demise of veteran director Bhagyaraj, who is hailed as the 'King of Screenplay' in Tamil cinema. Sarkunam has directed the legendary filmmaker in Vaagai Sooda Vaa and has been in close touch with him ever since. In an exclusive conversation to CE, Sarkunam said his understanding of women's psyche made him stand out as a filmmaker and a writer.
Elaborating on it, he said, "Bhagyaraj sir shared with me once that in his village the men of the household will never help women in their chores and that often frustrates them. Bhagyaraj sir said he would volunteer to help them and engage in conversations with them and that was how he excelled in capturing women's perspectives in his films with precision. Take Mundhanai Mudichu's second half resolution and how Radikaa's character viewed the three men in Indru Poi Naalai Vaa. All these perspectives were from his inquisitiveness in knowing what women think and feel."
Sarkunam believes that this was also the reason why women went to his films in massive numbers and made his films successful despite the presence of giants like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Vijayakanth.
Sharing his experience of directing the Bhagyaraj in Vaagai Sooda Vaa, he recalled how the maverick filmmaker was humble to suggest changes like a novice. "The lines at the end where Bhagyaraj sir's character encourages his son, played by Vemal, was his own. I didn't plan the dialogues that way at first. He felt a few more lines would help the scene's intensity. And of course he was right. I still remember how hesitant he was while giving that suggestion when master filmmakers of his stature would inform and not request a change," he said also adding that his relationship with Bhagyaraj did not end with Vaagai Sooda Vaa. "I discussed all my movies with him. In fact, he would call me if my movies aren't doing well to ask what went wrong and how to restrategise for my next film."
Sarkunam concludes to say that a multi-faceted personality like Bhagyaraj is a phenomenon that doesn't happen often. "A person from South penetrating into the Hindi milieu is rare, Bhagyaraj sir went ahead to shake up Hindi cinema with Aakhree Rasta and the remake of Andha 7 Naatkal (Woh 7 Din) made people look for him. And we don't appreciate the music composer Bhagyaraj enough. 'Naan Aalaana Thamara' and 'Ammadi Idhu Dhaan Kaadhala' (Idhu Namma Aalu) are still celebrated. More than a filmmaker, I will miss a mentor and a very respected father-like figure who presided my wedding."
Some of 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). He passed away at the age of 73 on Saturday morning after suffering from a cardiac arrest. According to reports, his last rites are scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday at 1.30 pm at the Besant Nagar crematorium.
