Celebrities mourn Bharathiraja’s demise

Superstar Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Chiranjeevi pay heartfelt tributes to the legendary filmmaker and storyteller

The passing of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja at the age of 84 has left the Indian film fraternity in mourning, with actors, filmmakers and political leaders paying tribute to the iconic director whose work transformed Tamil cinema. Veteran actor Rajinikanth, who worked with Bharathiraja in his landmark debut film 16 Vayathinile, remembered the filmmaker as a pillar of South Indian cinema.

“Bharathiraja played a pivotal role in nurturing and elevating the South Indian film industry. He made the industry flourish and gave it new life. Whenever directors, actors, or anyone from the film fraternity faced difficulties, he would stand up for them, fight for their rights, and help resolve their problems,” Rajinikanth said.

He added, “Bharathiraja’s contributions to cinema would remain unforgettable regardless of how many years pass. His achievements and service to the industry will never fade. His name will remain forever in the hearts of the Tamil people.” Malayalam superstar Mohanlal described Bharathiraja as “a director who found poetry in the soil, truth in silence, and soul in every frame.”

“Sharing screen space with Bharathiraja Sir in Thudarum was an honour I will cherish forever. Rest in peace, Sir. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations, and your presence will be deeply missed,” Mohanlal wrote. Megastar Chiranjeevi also paid tribute to the filmmaker, calling him one of Indian cinema’s greatest storytellers.

“Indian cinema has lost one of its greatest storytellers, Bharathiraja garu. He transformed the fragrance of village soil, the beauty of human relationships, the innocence of love, and the emotions of ordinary people into timeless cinematic poetry. His films touched millions of hearts and inspired generations of filmmakers,” Chiranjeevi said.