K. Bhagyaraj

He edited the Tamil weekly magazine Bhagya and authored several novels. Bhagyaraj was born in Vellankoil, near Gobichettipalayam, in 1953. He began working in the Tamil film industry in the mid-1970s as an assistant director under G. Ramakrishnan and Bharathiraja. He began writing scripts and dialogues for films, while also appearing in smaller acting roles. Beginning in the early 1980s, Bhagyaraj started directing films and often appeared in the lead role in the films he directed. He also directed a few remakes of his films in Hindi. He emerged as one of the leading screenwriters and directors in Tamil cinema during the 1980s and early 1990s. In later years, he directed a few films, and also appeared as a supporting actor in several films. He founded MGR Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam in 1989. He joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam later, before joining the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 2005. He was active in politics in the 1990s and early 2000s. Bhagyaraj received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer for Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979), the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), and the SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

• Name — K. Bhagyaraj • Born — 7 January 1953 • Birthplace — Vellankoil, Madras State, India • Died — 27 June 2026 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Film director • Screenwriter • Actor • Composer • Writer • Film producer • Politician • Children — 2, including Shanthanu • Years Active — 1977–2026

Krishnaswamy Bhagyaraj was born on 7 January 1953 in Vellankoil near Gobichettipalayam in Coimbatore district (present-day Erode district). He is from a Telugu Kamma family, and his forefathers migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu. In 1981, Bhagyaraj married actress Praveena, who was his co-star in Bhama Rukmani (1980). She died due to jaundice in August 1983. On 7 February 1984, he married actress Poornima Bhagyaraj, who was his co-star in Darling, Darling, Darling (1982). The couple had a daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj and a son Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, both of whom are actors. Bhagyaraj died from a cardiac arrest on 27 June 2026, at the age of 73 and was cremated with full state honors.

Beginning his career as an assistant to directors G. Ramakrishnan on the film Ezhai Panakkaran, which came to a halt after two days. Thereafter, he went on to work with Bharathiraja, Bhagyaraj became recognised for his scriptwriting talent. He first appeared as a junior artist playing small roles with in films such as 16 Vayathinile (1977) and later appeared similarly in Sigappu Rojakkal (1978). He was assistant director to Bharathiraja in two films – 16 Vayathinile and Kizhakke Pogum Rail. Among his early work was writing the script for Bharathiraja's films Kizhake Pogum Rail (1978) and Tik Tik Tik (1981), and writing dialogues for Sigappu Rojakkal. He made his directorial début with Suvarilladha Chiththirangal in 1979 and also his debut as the leading man in Puthiya Vaarpugal, directed by Bharathiraja. He received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer in Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979). He wrote dialogues and screenplays and acted in Kanni Paruvathile (1979).

Bhagyaraj quickly established his own concern and started producing a string of distinctive films made mainly in Tamil. Bhagyaraj often cast himself in the lead roles of the films he scripted and directed, effectively carving out a niche for himself in the actor-auteur vein. His style of filmmaking is notable for its relatively elaborate, witty, and double-entendre-laced scripts and socially-themed framework. His on-screen personae are typically characterised by their ironic sense of humour and intelligent bravado. He introduced actress Urvashi as a lead in the film Mundhanai Mudichu (1983) and Kalpana (sister of Urvashi) made her lead debut with the 1985 film Chinna Veedu, directed by Bhagyaraj, a commercially successful film. He received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil in Mundhanai Mudichu. His successful Tamil films written by him continued to be in demand for Hindi remakes in the 1980s and 1990s and were huge hits in Hindi – with Andha 7 Naatkal remade as Woh Saat Din and Enga Chinna Rasa remade as Beta (1992), both of which were successful. Bhagyaraj rarely acted in films not directed or written by him, with exceptions being Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984) and Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985). He decided to direct the Hindi remake of Bharatiraja's 1984 directorial venture Oru Kaidhiyin Diary with Rajesh Khanna in the lead in 1985, but later Khanna due to his date issues had to opt out and Bhagyaraj cast Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi remake Aakhree Raasta (1986). Bhagayraj decided to adapt a Kannada novel into a new film Enga Chinna Rasa in 1987, which became a blockbuster. In 1988, he wrote the script for Idhu Namma Aalu and decided to produce it, but chose not to direct it himself, as he wanted to act-write-direct a film on a serious issue, which was Aararo Aaariraro. He received the Best Film Award for Idhu Namma Aalu in 1990, directed by novel writer Balakumaaran, whereas the other film Aararo Aaariraro also was both critically acclaimed and successful at the box office. From 1991, he gradually started accepting more acting offers as a lead hero, where director-producer-scriptwriter would be three different people, rather than he himself writing-directing-acting in his films. Rudhra, Amma Vanthachu, Gnanapazham and Suyamvaram were such successful films where he was involved only in the capacity of actor. He also started the weekly magazine "Bhagya" and he was the editor of that magazine. His successful directorial ventures written by him from 1991 on were Pavunnu Pavunuthan, Sundara Kandam, Raasukutti and Veetla Visheshanga. He cast his son Shanthanu Bhagyaraj as the child artist in Vaettiya Madichu Kattu in 1998 and the film dealt with the father-son relationship. This proved to be both a critical and financial disappointment capping an end to a string of continuous flops including Oru Oorla oru Rajakumari, Gnanapazham and Mr. Bechara (1996). He also wrote the script for the film Thaikulame Thaikulame (1995), starring Pandiarajan.

Bhagyaraj took a break from acting as the lead hero in films after the release of the huge critical and commercial failure Vaettiya Madichu Kattu. Instead, he directed the TV shows Neenga Nenaicha Saadhikkalanga and Idhu Oru Kadhayin Kadhai (for DD Podhigai), and appeared in Apapadi Podu on Jaya TV in this period. His tele-serial Rules Rangachari was very famous on the DD channel and it comprised 390 episodes. He wrote and directed the 2003 film Chokka Thangam, starring Vijayakanth. He launched his daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj with Parijatham, which he wrote and directed in 2006. He returned to acting with Something Something... Unakkum Enakkum and Rendu in supporting roles. In 2010, he directed his adult son Shanthanu Bhagyaraj in the romantic film Siddhu +2. • Illustration — Bhagyaraj seen with a fan

At the end of the 2010s, he acted in supporting roles such Appavi (2011) and Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011). He ventured into Malayalam film as supporting actor with Mr. Marumakan (2012). Bhagyaraj was the leading judge for the show Junior Super Star (2016) and Junior Super Stars (season 2) (2017). He wrote books such as Vaanga Cinemavai Pattri Pesalam, Neenga Nenaicha Saadikkalaam and Ungal Bhagyaraj in Kelvi Bhadhil (Five Parts). Bhagyaraj appeared in action thriller films which went on to become commercial hits with Kanithan (2016) and Thupparivaalan (2017). In 2020, he later acted in the legal drama film Ponmagal Vandhal. Bhagyaraj plays a grandfather with Shanthanu in the adult comedy film Murungakkai Chips. In 2022, he starred in Super Senior Heroes. He also appeared in Telugu films like Mem Vayasuku Vacham (2012), Red Alert (2015), Sita (2019), 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu (2024) and Kuberaa (2025). In 2026, K. Bhagyaraj celebrated 50 years of their career in the film industry at an event. His final role, a voiceover in the upcoming film Beep, is expected to debut posthumously in September 2026.

MGR Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (MGR Popular Progressive Federation) was a political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu launched by Bhagyaraj in February 1989. MGR MMK contested the 1991 Kerala assembly elections. It had one candidate, who got 87 votes. The MGR MMK party failed in its initial stages. Bhagyaraj later joined All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. On 5 April 2006, Bhagyaraj joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the presence of the party president M. Karunanidhi, and criticized the AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa. Later, he left DMK and remained as a spectator in politics.

While speaking to the media at a press event for the film Karuthukalai Pathivu Sei in 2019, Bhagyaraj remarked that women invite men to sexually assault them and provide them the room to do so. He went on to ask, why men are usually blamed for crimes while women encourage them, apparently in relation to the Pollachi rape case. His misogynistic remarks drew widespread condemnation and opposition from the public, and several women's organisations demanded that he be prosecuted for them. The Tamil Nadu Commission for Women summoned him to appear before it.

• Note: All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted. • Year — Title — Credited as — Notes • Director — Writer — Producer • 1978 — Kizhake Pogum Rail — Dialogues — Additional dialogues only • Sigappu Rojakkal — Dialogues • 1979 — Niram Maratha Pookal — Story • Puthiya Vaarpugal — Dialogues — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer • Kanni Paruvathile — Screenplay • Suvarilladha Chiththirangal • 1980 — Bhama Rukmani • Oru Kai Oosai • Ilamai Kolam • 1981 — Mouna Geethangal • Indru Poi Naalai Vaa • Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru • Andha 7 Naatkal • 1982 — Thooral Ninnu Pochu • Poi Satchi • Darling, Darling, Darling • 1983 — Mundhanai Mudichu — Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil • Saattai Illatha Pambaram • 1984 — Dhavani Kanavugal • 1985 — Oru Kaidhiyin Diary • Chinna Veedu • 1986 — Aakhree Raasta — style="text-align:center;" — | — Hindi film; Remake of Oru Kaidhiyin Diary • Kanna Thorakkanum Saami • 1987 — Enga Chinna Rasa • 1988 — Idhu Namma Aalu • 1989 — Aararo Aaariraro • Ponnu Pakka Poren — Story • 1990 — Avasara Police 100 • 1991 — Pavunnu Pavunuthan — Cinema Express Award for Best Story Writer • Rudhra — Screenplay • 1992 — Sundara Kandam — style="text-align:center;" — | style="text-align:center;" | — Cinema Express Award for Best Story Writer • Rasukutty — style="text-align:center;" — | style="text-align:center;" | • 1994 — Veetla Visheshanga • 1995 — Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari — style="text-align:center;" — | style="text-align:center;" | • Thaikulame Thaikulame • 1996 — Mr. Bechara — style="text-align:center;" — | — Hindi film; Remake of Veetla Visheshanga • Gnanapazham • 1998 — Vaettiya Madichu Kattu • 2000 — Papa The Great — Hindi film; Simultaneously shot with Vaettiya Madichu Kattu • Kabadi Kabadi • 2003 — Chokka Thangam — 25th Film (Director) • 2006 — Parijatham • 2007 — Mudhal Mudhalai — Screenplay, dialogues • 2010 — Siddhu +2 — Screenplay, dialogues • 2011 — Maaveeran — Dialogues — Tamil dubbed version of Telugu film Magadheera • 2012 — Love In Hyderabad — Screenplay — Telugu shelved film; Simultaneously shot with Siddhu +2 • 2015 — Thunai Mudhalvar

• Serials • Year — Title — Role — Channel — Language — Notes • 2020 — Chithi 2 — Himself — Sun TV — Tamil — Cameo appearances • Raja Rani — Star Vijay • Senthoora Poove • 2022 — Vidhya No.1 — Judge Subramani Vathiyar — Zee Tamil • Shows • Year — Title — Role — Channel — Language — Notes • 2014 — Ninaithale Inikkum — Guest — Vendhar TV — Tamil • 2015 — Koffee With DD — Vijay TV — Along with Poornima and Pandiarajan • 2016 — Junior Super Star — Judge — Zee Tamil • 2017 — Junior Super Star 2 • 2019 — Comedy Stars Season 2 — Guest — Asianet — Malayalam — Along with Poornima • 2020 — Kodeeswari — Contestant — Colors Tamil — Tamil • 2022 — Super Queen — Guest — Zee Tamil

• Year — Title — Notes • 1985 — Kavadi Sindhu — Shelved film • 1988 — Idhu Namma Aalu • Sahadevan Mahadevan — 1 song • 1989 — Aararo Aaariraro • Ponnu Pakka Poren • 1990 — Pattanamthan Pogalamadi — 3 songs • 1991 — Pavunnu Pavunuthan • 1996 — Gnanapazham

• Year — Film — Song — Composer — Notes • 1988 — Idhu Namma Aalu — "Pachamala Saami" — himself • 1989 — Ponnu Paaka Poren — "Yerapooti" • Aararo Aariraro — "Ellarumae Loosungathan"

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1977 — 16 Vayathinile — Village physician — Also assistant director; uncredited appearance • 1978 — Kizhake Pogum Rail — Ponnandi — Also assistant director • Sigappu Rojakkal — Waiter — Also assistant director • 1979 — Puthiya Vaarpugal — Shanmugamani • Kanni Paruvathile — Cheenusamy • Suvarilladha Chiththirangal — Alagappan • 1980 — Bhama Rukmani — Nandhagopal • Oru Kai Oosai — Chinnasamy • Kumari Pennin Ullathile — Balu • 1981 — Mouna Geethangal — Raghunathan • Indru Poi Naalai Vaa — Pazhanisamy • Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru — Raja • Andha 7 Naatkal — Palakkad Madhavan • 1982 — Thooral Ninnu Pochu — Chellai Durai • Poi Satchi — Vairavan • Darling, Darling, Darling — Raja • 1983 — Mundhanai Mudichu — Shanmugamani — Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil • 1984 — Oomai Janangal — Chellaiya • Anbulla Rajinikanth — Himself — Cameo appearance • Dhavani Kanavugal — Subramaniam • 1985 — Naan Sigappu Manithan — CID Chinna Salem Singaram • Chinna Veedu — Madhanagopal • 1987 — Enga Chinna Rasa — Chinnarasu • Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu — Babu — Cameo appearance • 1988 — Idhu Namma Aalu — Gopalsamy • 1989 — En Rathathin Rathame — Natesan • Aararo Aaariraro — Babu • 1990 — Avasara Police 100 — Ramu, Veerasamy Naidu — 25th film; dual role • 1991 — Pavunnu Pavunuthan — Chinnu • Rudhra — Madurai • 1992 — Sundara Kandam — Shanmugamani • Amma Vandhachu — Nandhakumar • Rasukutty — Rasukutty • 1994 — Veetla Visheshanga — Gopalakrishnan • 1995 — Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari — Venkatasubramaniam • 1996 — Gnanapazham — Gnanasuryan • 1998 — Vaettiya Madichu Kattu — Jaiprakash • 1999 — Suyamvaram — Gnanapithan • 2006 — Parijatham — Sampooranam • Something Something Unakkum Enakkum — Krishnan • Rendu — CBI Officer Rathnakumar • 2007 — Kasu Irukkanum — G. R. • 2008 — Maanavan Ninaithal — Raj • 2009 — Ninaithale Inikkum — Pazhaniyappan • 2010 — Uthamaputhiran — Raghuram (Washington Vetrivel) • Siddhu +2 — Himself — Cameo appearance • 2011 — Appavi — Ramasamy • Vaagai Sooda Vaa — Annamalai • 2013 — Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu — Sundaram — 50th Film • 2014 — Ninaithathu Yaaro — Himself — Cameo appearance • 3 Geniuses — Professor Ramanujam — Malaysian film • 2015 — Moone Moonu Varthai — Himself • 2016 — Kanithan — Rajendran • Vaaimai — Rajarathnam — Cameo appearances • 2017 — Mupparimanam — Himself • Ayyanar Veethi — Subramani Shastri • Veruli — Kesavan — Cameo appearance • Ivan Yarendru Therikiratha — Love Guru Krishnasamy • Thupparivaalan — Muthu • Brahma.com — Sivagurunathan Shastri • 2018 — Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa — Sivaraman • Aaruthra — Avudaiappan • Koothan — Raghuraman • 2020 — Ponmagal Vandhal — 'Petition' Pethuraj • 2021 — Murungakkai Chips — Kamasundaram • 2022 — Super Senior Heroes — Ganeshan — Direct television release in Sun TV • 2023 — Dada — Chidambaram • Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam — Kaluvan • 3.6.9 — Father Benet Castro • Moondram Manithan — Inspector Rajasekhar — 75th Film • Sarakku — Lawyer Parasuraman — Cameo appearances • 2024 — PT Sir — Judge Krishnamoorthy • 2025 — Enai Sudum Pani — Karunakaran • Aandavan — Nallasivam • Kuberaa — Sadhu — Bilingual film; simultaneously shot in Telugu • Antha 7 Naatkal — Sundaram • BP 180 — Lingam • 2026 — Dark Giant — Sadhasivam • Dark — Karunakaran — Posthumous release • Hi — Vaathiyar — Posthumous release

• Year — Title — Role — Language — Notes • 2003 — Avuna — Telugu — Cameo appearance • 2004 — Mee Intikoste Em Istaaru Maa Intkoste Em Testaaru • 2012 — Mem Vayasuku Vacham — Subramanyam • Mr. Marumakan — Balasubrahmanyam — Malayalam • Love In Hyderabad — Himself — Telugu — Cameo appearance; shelved film • 2015 — Red Alert — Doctor — Kannada • Telugu • High Alert — Malayalam • 2019 — Sita — Vasanthavada Anand Mohan — Telugu • 2024 — 35 — Principal Bucchi Reddy • 2025 — Kuberaa — Sadhu — Simultaneously shot in Tamil