Chennai, Jun 10 (PTI) Shattered by the demise of legendary filmmaker P Bharathiraja, superstar Rajinikanth, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and top South Indian film fraternities on Wednesday paid moving tributes
to the auteur, describing him as a pioneering force who revolutionised Indian cinema by anchoring it to its rural roots.
As prominent film personalities gathered at his residence here, tributes also flooded social media platforms from across the Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam film industries, with stalwarts mourning the loss of the ‘Iyakkunar Imayam’ (pinnacle of directors).
An emotional Rajinikanth recalled his 50-year-old bond with the filmmaker, describing him as a child-like soul who lived with unmatched transparency. “He introduced countless technicians, directors, and actors, sustaining the film industry itself. He was always the first to raise his voice and fight for anyone facing a crisis,” the superstar said.
Fondly recalling Bharathiraja’s unvarnished honesty, Rajinikanth said, “He used to critique me heavily too. He once told me, ‘I like you as a person, but I don’t like your acting.’ Being around him brought immense joy.” Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who rushed to pay his last respects to his lifelong collaborator, described their connection as an irreplaceable bond. “I am constantly praying for him. What kind of a relationship we shared is something you all know very well. Loving this country, its people, and its artists is what my life is about,” a solemn Ilaiyaraaja said.
In a tearful breakdown, veteran music director Gangai Amaran stated that neither he nor his brother Ilaiyaraaja would have survived their early days in Chennai without Bharathiraja. “He used to share his own salary with us just so we could eat. He literally fed us and built our lives,” Amaran said, adding that final rites are being planned by the family once close relatives arrive.
The demise triggered a wave of condolences from top Telugu and Malayalam stars. Mega star Chiranjeevi Konidela expressed profound grief, stating that Indian cinema had lost one of its greatest storytellers. “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,” Chiranjeevi wrote on X.
Recalling his own experience of being directed by the veteran in the film ‘Aradhana’, Chiranjeevi added, “I was fortunate to work under his direction as ’Puliraju’… His passion for cinema, simplicity and dedication to his craft left a lasting impression on me.” Actor and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan stated that the Padma Shri recipient’s vision and timeless narratives redefined filmmaking, while Telugu star Allu Arjun called him a true legend whose contribution to Indian cinema will remain timeless.
Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal, who shared screen space with Bharathiraja in ‘Thudarum’, paid a poetic tribute, writing, “A director who found poetry in the soil, truth in silence, and soul in every frame.” Acclaimed heroines who debuted under his tutelage remembered him with intense gratitude. Veteran actress Revathi paid a poignant tribute, stating, “(He was) the reason I am here as an actress and did the films I did.” Actress Sukanya broke down while recalling his protective nature on the sets of ‘Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu’, sharing how the director personally jumped into a deep well to test the safety of a shot before letting her perform. “He told me, ‘I never let my artists take a risk before I do it myself,'” she said.
Acclaimed actor-director R Parthiban, who trained under Bharathiraja and came with a string of jasmine to play respect to his mortal remains, termed the demise as the loss of his “very roots,” stating that the auteur taught filmmakers how to capture the true fragrance of the soil on screen. Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran also credited the pioneer for inspiring him to take up filmmaking. PTI JR JR ROH
