Renowned Indian film director Bharathiraja, an iconic figure in Tamil cinema, remains in stable condition after being hospitalized for respiratory issues. The 81-year-old auteur was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Chennai on December 27th after experiencing breathlessness.
Medical authorities at the healthcare facility released an official bulletin on January 4th confirming that the veteran filmmaker is receiving appropriate medical care in the intensive care unit. According to the statement, his clinical condition is stable with vital parameters within normal limits under appropriate medical support. The medical team continues close monitoring while reporting satisfactory response to ongoing treatment.
The hospitalization comes during a difficult period for the acclaimed director, who lost his son Manoj Bharathiraja—also an actor-filmmaker—to cardiac arrest in March last year. Family sources indicate Bharathiraja had been struggling with his health since this personal tragedy. After his son’s passing, the director relocated to Malaysia to stay with his daughter but found little improvement in his condition despite the change of environment.
Bharathiraja’s contributions to Indian cinema have earned him the revered title ‘Iyakkunar Imayam’ (mountain among directors). He revolutionized Tamil filmmaking by abandoning studio sets in favor of authentic outdoor locations—a radical departure from industry norms at the time. His filmography is distinguished by realistic portrayals of rural life and social divisions, notably in works like ‘Vedham Pudhithu’ (1987), which offered critical commentary on societal issues.
Throughout his four-decade career beginning in the early 1980s, Bharathiraja directed numerous critically acclaimed films including ’16 Vayathinile’ (remade as ‘Solva Saavan’ in Hindi), ‘Kizhakke Pogum Rayil’, ‘Muthal Mariyathai’, and ‘Karuththamma’. His 1977 film ’16 Vayathinile’ is particularly celebrated for uniting three legendary stars: Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Sridevi.
Beyond his directorial achievements, Bharathiraja demonstrated exceptional talent-spotting abilities, launching the careers of actors Revathi (‘Mann Vasanai’), Karthik, Radha, Napoleon, and several others. His mentorship also extended to emerging directors including K Bhagyaraj, Manivannan, and R Parthiban who assisted him before establishing their own successful careers.