Legendary Director Bharathiraja Dies at 84 — CM Vijay Pays Respects, Announces Full State Honours

Veteran Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja died on June 10 at his Neelangarai residence in Chennai at the age of 84, after battling prolonged age-related health complications and a respiratory illness.

Born Chinnasamy on July 17, 1941, in Allinagaram, Theni district, Bharathiraja made his directorial debut in 1977 with 16 Vayathinile, starring Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Sridevi — a landmark film that brought authentic Tamil rural life to the big screen.

He went on to direct numerous acclaimed films and received several national and state film awards, culminating in the nation's prestigious Padma Shri honour.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited Bharathiraja's Neelangarai home to pay his final respects. On X, CM Vijay wrote: "Upon learning the news of the passing of Mr Bharathiraja, the director of Tamil cinema, I am overwhelmed with profound sorrow and grief."

The Tamil Nadu government announced that full state honours would be accorded at Bharathiraja's funeral, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.

Former Chief Minister MK Stalin paid emotional tribute, describing Bharathiraja as a filmmaker who "brought the authentic stories of Tamil villages and rural life to the world stage." DMK leaders, BJP's Nainar Nagendran, actor Vijay Sethupathi, director Ramesh Khanna, actor Vedan, and Minister Vanni Arasu were among the many who visited the residence to pay homage.