Bharathiraja

He also directed films in Telugu and Hindi. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri award, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2004 for his contribution to the film industry. In 2005, he was conferred with the Doctor of Letters (honorary degree) from Sathyabama University.

• Name — Bharathiraja • Birth Name — Chinnasaamy Periyamaya • Born — 23 August 1941 • Birthplace — Allinagaram, Madura District, Madras Province, British India (now in Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India) • Died — 10 June 2026 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Film director • producer • screenwriter • actor • Children — 2, including Manoj Bharathiraja • Relatives — Manoj Kumar (brother-in-law) Nandana (daughter-in-law) • Awards — Padma Shri (2004) • Years Active — 1977–2026

Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasaamy Periyamaya Thevar in Theni Allinagaram, a town in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, on 17 July 1941, to parents K. Periyamaya Thevar and Karuthammal in a Kallar (Thevar) family. He made the name "Bharathiraja" as a portmanteau of his sister's name Bharathi and brother's name Jayaraj.

Bharathiraja started his film career as an assistant to Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal. Later, he assisted P. Pullaiah, M. Krishnan Nair, Avinasi Mani and A. Jagannathan. His first film 16 Vayathinile, for which he wrote the script, broke the then existing convention to create a new genre of village cinema. The film is now regarded as a milestone in the history of Tamil Cinema. About the film, Bharathiraja said: "This movie was meant to be a black & white art film produced with the help of National Film Development Corporation", but turned out to be a commercially successful colour film and a starting point for several important careers. His next film Kizhake Pogum Rail produced similar results and eventually brought in criticisms that Bharathiraja was capable of catering only to rural audiences. This led him to make Sigappu Rojakkal, an urban psychological thriller. Bharathiraja confirmed his versatility and refusal to be tied down to one particular genre with an experimental film Nizhalgal (1980), and the action thriller Tik Tik Tik (1981). But undoubtedly, rural themes proved to be his strong suit as his biggest hits in the 1980s: Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), Mann Vasanai (1983) and Muthal Mariyathai (1985) were strong love stories in a village backdrop. Alaigal Oivathillai introduced actor Karthik, who'll be known in the industry as "Navarasa Nayagan". Muthal Mariyathai starred Sivaji Ganesan in the lead, playing a middle-aged village head. Radha is a poor young woman who moves into his village for a living. The love that bonds these two humans separated not just by age but also by caste and class, is told by Bharathiraja with poetic touches. Vedham Pudhithu dealt with the caste issue in a stronger manner. The film's narrative was seamless and starred Sathyaraj as Balu Thevar. It contains some of Bharathiraja's trademark touches as well as several ground-breaking scenes. Vedham Pudhithu made a revolutionary thoughts about caste discriminations in Brahmin and other upper castes in Tamil Nadu. Bharathiraja has successfully managed to modernise his film-making techniques for the 1990s. The commercial success of Kizhakku Cheemaiyile and the awards that Karuththamma garnered stand as testimony to his ability to thrill the younger generation as well. Bharathiraja was on the same stage in 1996 to receive another National Award for Anthimanthaarai. In late 1996, Bharathiraja was signed on to direct two films, with the Sarathkumar-starrer Vaakkapatta Bhoomi announced in October. The following month, he began work on a film titled Siragugal Murivadhillai, starring Napolean, Heera Rajagopal and Prakash Raj. Both films were later shelved. He planned to revive Vaakkapatta Bhoomi with Cheran during late 2004, but the collaboration did not materialise. His 2001 film Kadal Pookal won him that year's National Film Award for Best Screenplay. The well-known Tamil film director Bhagyaraj was one of his assistant directors. In 2008, Bharathiraja made his television debut with series Thekkathi Ponnu which aired on Kalaignar TV. He went on to direct two other series Appanum Aathaalum and Muthal Mariyathai for the same channel. During early 2016, Bharathiraja was embroiled in a legal tussle with director Bala on making a film titled Kutra Parambarai, though neither filmmaker eventually made their respective films. He later moved on to plan a film starring director Vasanth's son, Ritwik Varun, and Vikram's nephew, but the film was dropped after two schedules. In 2018, Bharathiraja was working on a film titled 8 November, Iravu 8 Mani starring Vidharth, which narrates events following the decision to demonetise certain banknotes in India.

On 27 December 2025, Bharathiraja fell ill and he was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in Chennai within a week. Hospital authorities confirmed that his condition was stable and many people from the film fraternity paid him a visit. He died of complications on 10 June 2026, at the age of 84 and was buried with full state honors. He was predeceased by his son, Manoj Bharathiraja, who had died a year earlier.

Bharathiraja married Chandraleela in 1974 and had two children Manoj Bharathiraja (1976–2025) and Janani (born 1979). Manoj was an actor who was introduced in Taj Mahal and he married actress Nandana. He died of heart attack on 25 March 2025. Janani is married to Rajkumar Thambiraja in Malaysia. Bharathiraja's brother-in-law Manoj Kumar has directed films such as Mannukkul Vairam, Vandicholai Chinraasu, Vaanavil and Guru Paarvai. His brother Jayaraj made his acting debut with Kaththukkutti. His relative Stalin is a television actor who acted in serials such as Saravanan Meenatchi and 7C.

• Illustration — Bharathiraja (left) and Devayani (right) lighting the lamp to inaugurate the 13th Mumbai International Film Festival, in Chennai. When the old era was dominated by films shot inside studios, Bharathiraja directed village themed films that inspired Tamil cinema to capture live locations. Array of village films in Tamil cinema started after his trendsetting film 16 Vayathinile. He changed the attire of male lead role as simple and without much cosmetics and female leads in his films as dusky looking which were before dominated by fair skinned ladies. He started the style of directors speaking to the audience with his famous dialogue "En Iniya Thamizh Makkale (My sweet Tamil people)". Bharathiraja is revered as one of the best directors of Indian cinema. His ideas were original and his subjects were complex ideas expressed in a manner every common man could understand. Bharathiraja was also known for introducing a number of new faces to the film industry. He has introduced many actors as new faces notable among them are Karthik, Radha, Revathi, Radhika, and Vijayashanti. Apart from lead actors, he has introduced a bunch of supporting actors. Notable among them include Janagaraj, Vadivukkarasi, Chandrasekhar, Pandiyan, and Napoleon. As an experimental initiative he used to give new actors a small role in his films later they becoming popular among people and turning to busy actors. Many present day directors who were unknown to people turned into actors after playing a debut petty role in his films: K. Bhagyaraj, Manivannan, Manobala, Thiagarajan, and Ponvannan are among them. He was also instrumental in portraying Sathyaraj for the first time in lead role. He inspired many young film makers and ran a school called Bharathi Raja International Institute of Cinema (BRIIC) on film making. Bharathiraja directed socially themed films with special emphasis on women and their complicated interpersonal relationships. He addressed other social evils like caste discrimination in his films.

• He attended the Maaveerar Naal (Heroes Day) Conference, which was a day to remember the deaths of militants who fought with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which had been banned in India as a terrorist group since 1992, in the wake of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination a year prior, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka and appreciated its bravery and valour. • He organised a protest by Nadigar Sangam against the Indian state of Karnataka for not releasing Cauvery water at Neyveli. During an interview to Sun TV channel, film co-stars such as Sarath Kumar and wife Radhika who attended the conference accused him of using that opportunity to eulogise current Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and launching attacks on actor Rajinikanth's home state's ethnicity.

List of TV Serials directed by Bharathiraja and aired on Kalaignar TV. • Thekkathi Ponnu • Appanum Aathalum • Muthal Mariyathai • Modern Love Chennai – Web series Episode 5: Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1978 — Kizhakke Pogum Rail — Station master — Uncredited role • 1980 — Kallukkul Eeram — Himself — Also writer • 1984 — Dhavani Kanavugal — Himself — Guest appearance • 1991 — Idhayam — Himself — Guest appearance • Thanthu Vitten Ennai — Himself — Guest appearance • 1999 — Poovellam Kettuppar — Himself — Guest appearance • 2002 — Kadhal Virus — Himself — Guest appearance • 2004 — Aayutha Ezhuthu — Selvanayagam • 2010 — Rettaisuzhi — Singaravelan • 2013 — Pandianadu — Kalyanasundaram — Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor • 2014 — Ninaithathu Yaaro — Himself — Guest appearance • 2017 — Kurangu Bommai — Sundaram • Padaiveeran — Krishnan • 2018 — Seethakaathi — Himself — Special appearance • 2019 — Kennedy Club — Savarimuthu • Namma Veetu Pillai — Arunmozhivarman • 2020 — Meendum Oru Mariyathai — Om • 2021 — Eeswaran — Periyasamy • Rocky — Manimaran • 2022 — Kuttram Kuttrame — DSP Muthukaruppan • Thiruchitrambalam — Thiruchitrambalam Sr. • 2023 — Vaathi — Villager — Cameo appearance • Sir — Villager — Telugu film; Cameo appearance • Thiruvin Kural — Marimuthu • Karumegangal Kalaigindrana — Ramanathan • Margazhi Thingal — Ramaiyaa • 2024 — Kalvan — Azhagar • Maharaja — Gopal Thatha • Thiru.Manickam • 2025 — Niram Marum Ulagil — Rayappan • Thudarum — Stunt Master Palani Swamy — Malayalam film • Desiya Thalaivar

• Vijayan (Niram Maaratha Pookkal, Mann Vasanai) • Thiagarajan (Alaigal Oivathillai) • Nizhalgal Ravi (Vedham Pudhithu) • Manivannan (Kodi Parakuthu) • Thennavan (En Uyir Thozhan)

• "Kaadu Pottakaadu" (Karuthamma)

Bharathiraja was recorded at birth as Chinnasaamy Periyamaya Thevar. The authorities additionally record the headings Bharathi Rajaa and Chinnasaamy Periyamaya Thevar. His recorded languages were Hindi and English.

• 1982 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for Seethakoka Chilaka (Director) • 1986 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Mudhal Mariyathai (Producer & Director) • 1988 – National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues Vedham Pudhithu (Director) • 1995 – National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for Karuththamma (Director) • 1996 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Anthimanthaarai (Director) • 2001 – National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Kadal Pookkal (Director & Writer)

• 1977 – Best Director Award for 16 Vayathinile • 1979 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film – Second Prize – Puthiya Vaarpugal • 1981 – Best Director Award for Alaigal Oivathillai • 1994 – Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light for Karuththamma • 2001 – Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Arignar Anna Award in 2001 • 2003 – Best Film in First place Eera Nilam

• Note: he is credited in many films as Bharathirajaa. • Year — Title — Credited as — Language — Notes • Director — Writer — Producer • 1977 — 16 Vayathinile — Tamil — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director • 1978 — Kizhakke Pogum Rail — Screenplay • Sigappu Rojakkal — Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director • 1979 — Solva Sawan — Hindi — Remake of 16 Vayathinile • Puthiya Vaarpugal — Screenplay — Tamil • Niram Maaratha Pookkal — Screenplay — Voice for Vijayan • 1980 — Kotha Jeevithalu — Screenplay — Telugu — Remake of Puthiya Vaarpugal • Red Rose — Hindi — Remake of Sigappu Rojakkal • Nizhalgal — Screenplay — Tamil • 1981 — Alaigal Oivathillai — Screenplay — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director • Seethakoka Chiluka — Screenplay — Telugu — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu • Tik Tik Tik — Tamil • 1982 — Kaadhal Oviyam — Screenplay • Valibamey Vaa Vaa — Screenplay • 1983 — Mann Vasanai — Screenplay • Lovers — Screenplay — Hindi — Remake of Alaigal Oivathillai / Seethakoka Chiluka • 1984 — Pudhumai Penn — Screenplay — Tamil • 1985 — Oru Kaidhiyin Diary — Screenplay • Mudhal Mariyathai — Screenplay — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil • 1986 — Saveray Wali Gaadi — Screenplay — Hindi • Kadalora Kavithaigal — Screenplay — Tamil — 25th film • 1987 — Vedham Pudhithu — Screenplay — National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues • Aradhana — Screenplay — Telugu • 1988 — Jamadagni — Dubbed in Tamil as Naarkaali Kanavugal • Kodi Parakuthu — Screenplay — Tamil — Voice for Manivannan • 1990 — En Uyir Thozhan — Screenplay • 1991 — Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu — Screenplay • 1992 — Nadodi Thendral — Screenplay • 1993 — Captain Magal — Screenplay • Kizhakku Cheemayile — Screenplay • 1994 — Karuthamma — Screenplay — National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare • 1995 — Pasumpon — Screenplay • 1996 — Tamizh Selvan — Screenplay • Anthimanthaarai — Screenplay — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil • 1999 — Taj Mahal — Screenplay • 2001 — Kadal Pookkal — Screenplay — National Film Award for Best Screenplay • 2003 — Eera Nilam — Screenplay • 2004 — Kangalal Kaidhu Sei — Screenplay • 2008 — Bommalattam • 2013 — Annakodi • 2016 — Final Cut of Director — Hindi • 2020 — Meendum Oru Mariyathai — Tamil

• 2004 – Padma Shri from the Government of India

• 1978 – Best Tamil Director for Sigappu Rojakkal • 1987 – Best Tamil Film for Vedham Pudhithu • 1987 – Best Tamil Director for Vedham Pudhithu • 1994 – Best Tamil Film for Karuthamma

• 1981 – Nandi Award for Best Director for Seethakoka Chiluka

• 2012 – Contribution to Tamil Cinema • 2013 – Best Supporting Actor for Pandiya Naadu

• 1980 – South Indian Film Technicians: Best Technician Award for Kallukkul Eeram • 2005 – Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) from Sathyabama University • 2015 – SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award