Since the passing of K Bhagyaraj, his fans and film fraternity members have been highlighting his legacy, especially the fact that he is a multi-hyphenate. Besides starring in films, he has also directed, produced, and composed music for cinema. Many of his films are written by himself. This is an era where the number of actor-directors across the South Indian film industry is much higher as compared to the past. However, Bhagyaraj is widely regarded as someone who pioneered the art of wearing multiple hats on a film set. Naturally, he has made an influence on the younger generation when it comes to nuanced, character-driven storytelling.
Dhanush, who has also directed Pa Pandi, Raayan, Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam, and Idli Kadai, once expressed his admiration for Bhagyaraj as an actor-director. In a conversation with CNN News18's Rajeev Masand, Dhanush was asked about his influences with regard to actors who also directed films. The first name he mentioned is that of Bhagyaraj.
"In Tamil, K Bhagyaraj," Dhanush said when asked about his favourite actor-directors. The actor added, "He was really hailed as the 'King of Screenplay' in the late 1980s and early 90s all over the country. He was writing the greatest screenplays and was an actor-director himself. He wrote his own stories, he directed and starred in them. He was my favourite," Dhanush said at a time when he had only directed Pa Pandi. The actor also added that he learnt much from Bhagyaraj's films.
Dhanush attended the late filmmaker's funeral function earlier today. The actor broke down in tears during the ceremony and consoled the filmmaker's son, actor Shanthnu.
Dhanush and K Bhagyaraj have starred together in films such as Uthamaputhiran (2010) and last year's Kuberaa. It is worth noting that Kuberaa stars the filmmaker-actor in a cameo role as the mentor of Dhanush's character in the film. At the Kuberaa audio launch event, he expressed his gratitude to Bhagyaraj for starring in the film and called him "a legendary screenplay writer, director, and actor".
