Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across India’s film industry and political circles.
According to local media reports, actor Rajinikanth attended Bharathiraja’s funeral and became emotional while speaking to reporters. The pair had shared a professional relationship spanning nearly five decades, beginning with the director’s debut film 16 Vayathinile, which helped establish Rajinikanth’s early screen career.
Actress Radikaa Sarathkumar, who made her acting debut in Bharathiraja’s 1978 film Kizhakke Pogum Rail, described him as one of the most important figures in her life.
“Two people shaped me into who I am. One was my mother; the other was my guru, Bharathiraja sir,” the renowned actress wrote on Instagram.
Father-and-son film stars Sivakumar and Suriya also paid their respects. The former wrote a tribute in The Hindu Newspaper, calling the late director one of “Tamil cinema’s greatest filmmakers. No one can claim the distinction of authentically portraying Tamil Nadu’s villages on the screen”.
Other tributes were shared by figures including Chiranjeevi, M K Stalin and actor-politician Joseph Vijay, who attended the funeral.
