Iyakkunar Imayam Bows Out

Chennai:Legendary Tamil film-maker Bharathiraja, who passed away at his residence in Chennai in the early hours of Wednesday, was often hailed as ‘Iyakkunar Imayam’ (the peak of directors). He had been battling age-related health issues for a while and was deeply affected by the sudden demise of his son, Manoj, in 2025. He was instantly recognisable for his deep voice and his famous opening line in films, “Yen Iniya Tamil Makkale.”

At a time when films were heavily reliant on set-based productions with artificial, dramatic acting styles, Bharathiraja brought cameras out of the studio into the villages, showcasing natural, pared-down rural settings. He created movies that were deeply rooted in the soil and culture of the land. He shattered the stereotype that a male protagonist had to be handsome; instead, he transformed the hero into a ‘Sapani’, a character clad in a simple loincloth, chewing betel leaves and exuding a raw, rustic charm. In his directorial debut ‘16 Vayathinile’, Kamal Haasan played the character ‘Sapani’.

Sri Devi in the lead and Rajinikanth as the antagonist, ‘16 Vayathinile’ was one of his mainstays. The film, which received critical praise for Bharathiraja’s script, was a blockbuster and won national and State awards. Various categories.

Bharathiraja was born in Alli Nagaram in Theni district, with the birth name Chinnasamy. His interest in acting emerged during his student days. Having grown up watching plays, he eventually began writing stories and staging his own dramas. He secured a job as sanitary inspector, a role that required him to travel to various places, inquiring about public health issues and filing reports.

During one such visit to Pannaipuram, he met the musician Ilaiyaraaja, the younger brother of Bhaskar and the camera-friend Theeppori Natarajan. The trio soon accompanied actor and brother Pavalar Varadarajan to perform music at Communist gatherings, travelled to Madurai to provide music for Bharathiraja’s plays.

Bharathiraja’s plays, such as ‘Oru Sirikkirathu’ and ‘Summa Oru Kathai’, were innovative and unique. Observing their passion for theatre, Annakili Selvaraj, the nephew of Communist leader Shankar, believed that some could shake the world and requested them not to abandon their film industry. ‘Annakili’ Selvaraj was the first to come to Chennai to join the industry. He followed Bharathiraja. Opportunities did not come easily at first, and they struggled to make a living.

Meanwhile, he and Bhaskar, Ilaiyaraaja and Gangai Amaran set out for Chennai, and Raja worked as composer guru G.K. Venkatesh’s troupe as a guitarist. At Raja’s request, G.K. Venkatesh helped Bharathiraja become an assistant to director Puttanna Kanagal for the film ‘Irulum Oliyum’. He subsequently worked as an assistant director on ‘Thalai Prasavam’ and ‘Athishtam Azhaikirathu’. Both produced by K.R.G.

FIRST BREAK

Recognising Bharathiraja’s talent, K.R.G. offered him a chance to direct a film. It was decided the Muthuraman would be the lead actor. Jayalakshmi was to play the lead actress, and V. Kumar the music composer. The film was titled ‘Mayilu’ and ‘However’, the project was dropped when Jayalakshmi announced her withdrawal before shooting could begin.

Later, while speaking with S.A. Rajkannu, who had visited K.R.G.’s office as a financier, Bharathiraja narrated the story of ‘Mayilu’. Rajkannu liked it and was titled ‘16 Vayathinile’, and the rest is history.

Bharathiraja, who helmed a few television serials, received a Kalaimamani award in 1984, the National Award for ‘Muthal Mariyathai’, a Padma Shri in 2004, and several other honours.

Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, Radhika, Revathi, Khushbu and many others from the film fraternity visited his residence to pay their respects.

Though celebrated primarily in Tamil cinema, Bharathiraja received his first National Award for direction in 1982 for the Telugu-feature ‘Seethakoka Chiluka’.

“Muthal Mariyathai” was screened at the Tashkent Film Festival in 1986. He arranged for his novel to be translated into English. Notably, a number of filmmakers have acknowledged the social issue of female infanticide. A.G. Azhagappan’s “Red Rose Lovers” and “Savery Wall”, G. Alagarsan’s “Pathu Arai Veedu”, and S. Amutha’s “Anbalayam” drew attention to the issue.

MENTORSHIP

K. Bhagyaraj, Manivannan, Manojbabu, among others, credit Bharathiraja as the first to start a movement in Tamil cinema by bringing new talents and introducing them into films.

Among those he discovered or featured were Karthik, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Revathi, Radha, Nizhalgal Ravi, Y. G. Mahendran, Napoleon, Nassar, Vadivukkarasi, Ponvannan, Janagaraj, Vinu Chakravarthy, Rajashree, and many more. He also introduced his son Manoj as the lead hero in the film “Taj Mahal”.

During the 1980s, Bharathiraja had a consistently successful run, producing films that earned him multiple awards and recognition.

ACTING STINT

Bharathiraja successfully reinvented himself as an actor, making his debut as the lead in ‘KallukkuL Eeram’, directed by himself. He continued acting ventures, including ‘Aayutha Ezhuthu’, ‘Kurangu Bommai’, ‘Sultan’, ‘Thiruchitrambalam’, ‘Mamanaar’ and ‘Muthal Mariyathai’.

His final screen appearance was in the 2024 film ‘Maharaja’. He later directed two other series, ‘Appanum Aathaalum’ and ‘Muthal Mariyathai’.