Bharathirajaa Demise LIVE: Vijay, Stalin & Others Pay Homage - Watch His Last Journey LIVE

Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja, one of the most influential directors in Tamil cinema, passed away in Chennai in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 84, after facing age-related health problems, a family member said, prompting widespread tributes from across the industry.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay paid respects to Bharathiraja on Wednesday, while former Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin and several film personalities, including Suriya, also visited to honour the legendary director, producer and writer, reflecting Bharathiraja’s deep impact on generations of artists.

Netizens can watch Bharathiraja's last journey LIVE online as the celebrities and political leaders pay their last respects.

Bharathiraja Tamil cinema legacy and influence

Bharathiraja, honoured with the Padma Shri and often described as a trendsetter in Tamil and Indian cinema, was celebrated for portraying rural Tamil life on screen with strong visual detail, addressing social issues and regularly discovering promising newcomers through films that became reference points in Tamil cinema.

Known widely as Iyakkunar Imayam, meaning Pinnacle Among Directors, Bharathiraja earned six National Film Awards, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Nandi Award over a career that spanned decades, while directing around 44 films that shaped both mainstream narratives and serious discussions on society.

Bharathiraja Tamil cinema breakthrough films and new talent

The 1977 film 16 Vayathinile marked Bharathiraja’s arrival as a major creative force, as the rural drama, starring Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi, changed the way Tamil cinema approached storytelling and also brought Bharathiraja the Tamil Nadu government’s state award for best direction.

Bharathiraja was widely respected for introducing many actors who later became recognised names in Tamil cinema; Radikaa, Revathi, Radha, Ranjitha, Rekha, Karthik, Pandian, Chandrasekar, Napoleon and Janakaraj were among those who first gained prominence through roles in Bharathiraja’s films, which offered strong characters and memorable rural backdrops.

Bharathiraja Tamil cinema roots and early life

Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasamy on 17 July 1941 to Periya Mayathevar and Meenakshi Ammal alias Karuthammal in Alli Nagaram in the present-day Theni district of southern Tamil Nadu, and later lived in Chennai with brothers while building a career in the film industry.

The director’s original name, Chinnasami, reflected Bharathiraja’s rural background, which strongly influenced later work; films such as Mudhal Mariyadhai, Mann Vasanai, Pudhumai Penn, Vedham Pudhithu, Kizhakku Cheemaiyile, Karuthamma and Naadodi Thendral retained a strong connection to village life and often focused on caste, honour, gender and social change.

Bharathiraja Tamil cinema performances as an actor

Apart from directing, Bharathiraja also acted in several films, beginning with an acting debut in Kallukkul Eeram and later appearing in titles including Nizhalgal, Dhaavani Kanavugal, Idhayam, Aayudha Ezhuthu, Rettai Suzhi, Pandiya Naadu, Seethakaadhi, Maanaadu, Eeswaran and Thiruchitrambalam, earning recognition for natural screen presence.

Bharathiraja had been dealing with health issues for some time before Wednesday’s death, and continued to be remembered for signature opening words “En Iniya Tamil Makkale…” which remain familiar to audiences across Tamil Nadu, underlining how the director’s style, themes and discoveries stayed embedded in Tamil cinema culture.

The passing of Bharathiraja closed a chapter for Tamil cinema that began with a village-born director called Chinnasamy and grew into Iyakkunar Imayam, whose films, awards, mentoring of actors and memorable portrayal of rural Tamil life continue to shape discussions on Tamil filmmaking and inspire new storytellers.