Veteran filmmaker, writer and producer Bharathiraja, known for his Tamil and some Telugu and Hindi films, passed away on 10th June in Madras due to age-related illnesses. He was 84. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. His son, actor-director Manoj Bharathiraja, had passed away in March last year.
Bharathiraja’s first Tamil film as director was 16 Vayathinile (1971), starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Rajinikanth. After its success, Bharathiraja made more films with rural backdrops in the 1970s and 1980s. Among his many films are Kishakke Pogum Rayil, Sigappu Rojakkal, Nizhalgal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Mann Vasanai and Muthal Mariyathai.
The filmmaker not only made rural subjects popular in Tamil cinema, he also often cast actresses who weren’t fair-skinned. He was the one who made shooting on rustic and real locations fashionable as before him, filmmakers preferred shooting in studios.
Bharathiraja also acted in films.
The celebrated filmmaker won six National Awards in all: for best Telugu feature film for Seethakoka Chilaka (1982), best Tamil feature film for Muthal Mariyathai (1986), best film on other social issues for Vedham Pudhithu (1988), best film on family welfare for Karuththamma (1995), best Tamil feature film again for Anthimanthaarai (1996), and best screenplay for Kadal Pookkal (2001).
The government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2004.
Bharathiraja directed Hindi films like Solva Sawan, Red Rose, Lovers and Saveray Wali Gaadi.
