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Veteran director Bharathiraja passes away at 84 after suffering from long-term ailment
Tamil cinema’s veteran filmmaker-actor Bharathiraja passed away at the age of 84, putting an end to a legacy.
Trigger Warning: This article mentions someone’s demise, which could be triggering to some.
Bharathiraja, the veteran filmmaker and actor of Tamil cinema, known for his innovation in the industry, sadly passed away at the age of 84 on June 10, 2026. The veteran artist had reportedly been suffering from an ailment for a long time.
As the industry mourns his passing, several celebrities have paid tribute to him online and have also attended his wake. Reportedly, Thalapathy Vijay paid a visit in person to offer his condolences to the legendary filmmaker.
Apart from him, Mohanlal also took to his social media handle to share his heartfelt words about Bharathiraja. The superstar wrote, “A director who found poetry in the soil, truth in silence, and soul in every frame. Sharing screen space with Bharathiraja Sir in Thudarum was an honour I will cherish forever. Rest in peace, Sir. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations, and your presence will be deeply missed.”
Additionally, Chiranjeevi said, “Indian cinema has lost one of its greatest storytellers, Bharathiraja garu. He transformed the fragrance of village soil, the beauty of human relationships, the innocence of love, and the emotions of ordinary people into timeless cinematic poetry. His films touched millions of hearts and inspired generations of filmmakers (sic).”
The veteran star also underlined how grateful he was to have worked with Bharathiraja in Aradhana.
For those unaware, Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasamy to Periyamaya Thevar and Karuthammal in Theni, Tamil Nadu. He ventured into filmmaking as an assistant to popular Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal. Before making his directorial debut with 16 Vayathinile, starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth, he had assisted P. Pullaiah, M. Krishnan Nair, Avinasi Mani, and A. Jagannathan.
From the late 1970s onward, the director made several iconic films, including Sigappu Rojakkal, Tik Tik Tik, Kizhakku Cheemayile, and Anthimanthaarai. He was widely known for his village-themed films, which inspired Tamil cinema to embrace live-location shooting during an era when most films were shot in studios. Moreover, his works challenged conventional stereotypes surrounding male and female leads, paving the way for a more inclusive approach to styling and casting.
As a director, Bharathiraja last helmed Meendum Oru Mariyathai (2020) and later directed the episode Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal in Modern Love Chennai (2023).
Over the years, he was also involved in numerous projects as an actor and dubbing artist. His final on-screen appearance was a cameo in the Mohanlal-starrer Thudarum, where he played the role of Palani Swamy.
Bharathiraja is survived by his wife, Chandraleelavathi, daughter Janani, and daughter-in-law Nandana. His son, Manoj Bharathiraja, who was also an actor, passed away in 2025.
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