Bharathiraja
Indian film director and actor (1942–2026)
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Key Takeaways
- Bharathiraja ( ; 23 August 1942 – 10 June 2026) was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and actor who worked mainly in the Tamil film industry.
- The Pinnacle of Directors ).
- He also directed films in Telugu and Hindi.
- In 2005, he was conferred with the Doctor of Letters (honorary degree) from Sathyabama University.
- Periyamaya Thevar and Karuthammal.
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Source summary
WikipediaBharathiraja (; 23 August 1942 – 10 June 2026) was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and actor who worked mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with 16 Vayathinile, he was known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of rural life in his films and popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Imayam (transl. The Pinnacle of Directors). Bharathiraja had won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Nandi Award. 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.
Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasaamy Periyamaya Thevar in Theni Allinagaram, a town in the erstwhile Theni district of Tamil Nadu, on 23 August 1942, to parents K. Periyamaya Thevar and Karuthammal. He 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 Malaysian Rajkumar Thambiraja. 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.
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