Bharathiraja

{{Infobox person

| name = Bharathiraja|

| image = Director Bharathiraja at Salim Movie Audio Launch.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = Chinnasaamy Periyamayathevar{{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-14-342111-5 |pages=45|orig-date=2012}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1941|7|17}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_j5Da03QpE |title=Life history of Bharathiraja |work=Youtube |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109034859/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_j5Da03QpE |url-status=live }}

| birth_place = Allinagaram, Theni, Madurai District, Madras Presidency, British India. Present day Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India.

| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|producer|screenwriter|actor}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Chandraleela|1974}}

| children = Manoj Bharathiraja (1976–2025)
Janani Rajkumar (b.1979)

| relatives = Manoj Kumar (brother-in-law)

Jayaraj Periyamayathevar (brother)

| awards = Padma Shri (2004)

| years active = 1977–present

}}

Bharathiraja ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑːr|ə|θ|i|r|ɑː|dʒ|ɑː}} born 17 July 1941) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who works mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with 16 Vayathinile, he is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of rural life in his films and popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Imayam. As of 2017, he has won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Nandi Award. He has also directed films in Telugu and Hindi. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri award, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2004 for his contribution to the film industry. In 2005, he was conferred with the Doctor of Letters (honorary degree) from Sathyabama University.

Film career

Bharathiraja started his film career as an assistant to Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal.{{Cite news |date=2018-11-01 |title=Director Bharathiraja was an assistant director of Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/director-bharathiraja-was-an-assistant-director-of-kannada-filmmaker-puttanna-kanagal/articleshow/66429938.cms |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Later, he assisted P. Pullaiah, M. Krishnan Nair,{{YouTube|id=2RFfBx8UeZs#t=316|title=}} Avinasi Mani and A. Jagannathan. His first film 16 Vayathinile, for which he wrote the script, broke the then existing convention to create a new genre of village cinema. The film is now regarded as a milestone in the history of Tamil Cinema. About the film, Bharathiraja said: "This movie was meant to be a black & white art film produced with the help of National Film Development Corporation", but turned out to be a commercially successful colour film and a starting point for several important careers.{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/man-behind-the-1970s-wave/article5189324.ece|title=Man behind the 1970s wave|work=Frontline|access-date=15 February 2014|archive-date=23 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523102633/http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/man-behind-the-1970s-wave/article5189324.ece|url-status=live}} His next film Kizhake Pogum Rail produced similar results and eventually brought in criticisms that Bharathiraja was capable of catering only to village audiences. This led him to make Sigappu Rojakkal, about a psychopathic woman-hater that was totally westernized in terms of both conception and production.{{cite web|url=http://www.sylvianism.com/2011/06/24/50-tamil-movies-to-watch-before-you-die-18-sigappu-rojakkal-1978/|title=50 Tamil Movies to watch before you Die - 18 : Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) - Sylvianism|work=Sylvianism|access-date=15 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204155452/http://www.sylvianism.com/2011/06/24/50-tamil-movies-to-watch-before-you-die-18-sigappu-rojakkal-1978/|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=dead}}

Bharathiraja confirmed his versatility and refusal to be tied down to one particular genre with an experimental film Nizhalgal (1980), and the action thriller Tik Tik Tik (1981). But undoubtedly, rural themes proved to be his strong suit as his biggest hits in the 1980s: Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), Mann Vasanai (1983) and Muthal Mariyathai (1985) were strong love stories in a village backdrop. Muthal Mariyathai starred Sivaji Ganesan in the lead, playing a middle-aged village head. Radha is a poor young woman who moves into his village for a living. The love that bonds these two humans separated not just by age but also by caste and class, is told by Bharathiraja with poetic touches.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Vedham Pudhithu dealt with the caste issue in a stronger manner.{{cite web|url=http://shankyyanky.blogspot.in/2010/01/brahmin-in-tamil-cinema.html|title=My rambling and ranting...|author=Shankar|work=shankyyanky.blogspot.in|access-date=15 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222205317/http://shankyyanky.blogspot.in/2010/01/brahmin-in-tamil-cinema.html|url-status=live}} The film's narrative was seamless and starred Sathyaraj as Balu Thevar. It contains some of Bharathiraja's trademark touches as well as several ground-breaking scenes. Vedham Pudhithu made a revolutionary thoughts about caste discriminations in Brahmin and other upper castes in Tamil Nadu. Bharathiraja has successfully managed to modernise his film-making techniques for the 1990s. The commercial success of Kizhakku Cheemaiyile and the awards that Karuththamma garnered stand as testimony to his ability to thrill the younger generation as well. Bharathiraja was on the same stage in 1996 to receive another National Award for Anthimanthaarai.

In late 1996, Bharathiraja was signed on to direct two films, with the Sarathkumar-starrer Vaakkapatta Bhoomi announced in October. The following month, he began work on a film titled Siragugal Murivadhillai, starring Napolean, Heera Rajagopal and Prakash Raj. Both films were later shelved.{{cite web|url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz-5.htm |title=A-Z (V) |work=indolink.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003725/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz-5.htm |archive-date=24 April 2013 }} He planned to revive Vaakkapatta Bhoomi with Cheran during late 2004, but the collaboration did not materialise.{{cite web |url=http://musicindiaonline.com/n/i/tamil/1057/ |title=Music India OnLine - Cheran in 'Vakkappatta Bhoomi' |website=musicindiaonline.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041111110515/http://musicindiaonline.com/n/i/tamil/1057/ |archive-date=11 November 2004 |url-status=dead}}

His 2001 film Kadal Pookal won him that year's National Film Award for Best Screenplay. The well-known Tamil film director Bhagyaraj was one of his assistant directors. In 2008, Bharathiraja made his television debut with series Thekkathi Ponnu which aired on Kalaignar TV.{{Cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-08-02/kalaignar-08-04-08.html |title=Bharathiraja strikes Kalaignar - Behindwoods.com Thekkathi Ponnu Napoleon Ranjitha Chandrashekar Swarnamalya Manoj Creations hot images tamil picture gallery images |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029073427/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-08-02/kalaignar-08-04-08.html |url-status=live }} He went on to direct two other series Appanum Aathaalum and Muthal Mariyathai for the same channel.{{Cite web |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-tv-serials/5276/Chinna-thirai-Television-News/Bharathirajas-new-serial-program-titled-as-appanum-aathalum.htm |title=பாரதிராஜாவின் அப்பனும் ஆத்தாளும்: கலைஞர் டி.வி.யில் புதுத்தொடர்! | Bharathirajas new serial program titled as appanum aathalum |date=October 2011 |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029073431/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-tv-serials/5276/Chinna-thirai-Television-News/Bharathirajas-new-serial-program-titled-as-appanum-aathalum.htm |url-status=live }}

During early 2016, Bharathiraja was embroiled in a legal tussle with director Bala on making a film titled Kutra Parambarai, though neither filmmaker eventually made their respective films.{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010416/bala-and-bharathiraja-face-off-over-rights-to-film.html |title=Bala and Bharathiraja face off over rights to film |date=April 2016 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111060203/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010416/bala-and-bharathiraja-face-off-over-rights-to-film.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/two-writers-fight-over-kuttra-parambarai-news-tamil-qd3p0tfgbegcj.html |title=Two writers fight over 'Kuttra Parambarai' |website=Sify |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111054226/http://www.sify.com/movies/two-writers-fight-over-kuttra-parambarai-news-tamil-qd3p0tfgbegcj.html |url-status=dead }} He later moved on to plan a film starring director Vasanth's son, Ritwik Varun, and Vikram's nephew, but the film was dropped after two schedules.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/director-bharathiraja-next-film-with-vasanth-son-not-alaigal-oivadhillai-part-2-tamil-news-163633 |title=Neither Kutraparambarai nor Alaigal Oivadhillai Part 2 - Tamil News |date=21 July 2016 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111164930/https://www.indiaglitz.com/director-bharathiraja-next-film-with-vasanth-son-not-alaigal-oivadhillai-part-2-tamil-news-163633 |url-status=live }} In 2018, Bharathirajaa was working on a film titled November 8, Iravu 8 Mani starring Vidharth, which narrates events following the decision to demonetise certain banknotes in India.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Bharathirajaa-to-work-on-new-film-not-Kutra-Parambarai/articleshow/53301779.cms |title=Bharathirajaa to work on new film, not Kutra Parambarai |website=The Times of India |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524051442/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Bharathirajaa-to-work-on-new-film-not-Kutra-Parambarai/articleshow/53301779.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/110317/a-promising-line-up-of-films-for-vidharth.html |title=A promising line-up of films for Vidharth |date=11 March 2017 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111054850/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/110317/a-promising-line-up-of-films-for-vidharth.html |url-status=live }}

Style, critique and public perception

File:Renowned Tamil Film Director, Shri Bharathiraja lighting the lamp to inaugurate the 13th Mumbai International Film Festival, in Chennai. Actress, Smt. Devayani Rajakumaran, the Vice Consul of Consulate General of Russia.jpg (right) lighting the lamp to inaugurate the 13th Mumbai International Film Festival, in Chennai.]]

When the old era was dominated by films shot inside studios, Bharathiraja directed village themed films that inspired Tamil cinema to capture live locations. Array of village films in Tamil cinema started after his trendsetting film 16 Vayathinile.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/throwback-thursday-rajini-kamal-bharathiraja-bhagyaraj-ilayaraja-16-vayadhinile-special-article--telugu-news-206172|title=Throwback Thursday ! Amazing facts about the trendsetter '16 Vayadhinile' - Telugu News|date=2018-02-01|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111607/https://www.indiaglitz.com/throwback-thursday-rajini-kamal-bharathiraja-bhagyaraj-ilayaraja-16-vayadhinile-special-article--telugu-news-206172|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/happy-birthday-director-bharathiraja-tamil-films-329678-2016-07-17|title=Happy 75th Birthday Bharathiraja: Remembering the iconoclast's best films|date=July 17, 2016|last=Srivatsan|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111607/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/happy-birthday-director-bharathiraja-tamil-films-329678-2016-07-17|url-status=live}} He changed the attire of male lead role as simple and without much cosmetics and female leads in his films as dusky looking which were before dominated by fair skinned ladies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/220718/i-cant-wear-a-facade-and-playact-a-script-in-real-life.html|title=I can't wear a facade and playact a script in real life|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=2018-07-22|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221103217/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/220718/i-cant-wear-a-facade-and-playact-a-script-in-real-life.html|url-status=live}} He started the style of directors speaking to the audience with his famous dialogue "En Iniya Thamizh Makkale (My sweet Tamil people)".{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/219233/stepping-back-kollywood.html|title=Stepping back into Kollywood|date=2012-01-14|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111607/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/219233/stepping-back-kollywood.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|last1=Joshi|first1=Priya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RggfDAAAQBAJ&q=bharathiraja&pg=PA84|title=The 1970s and its Legacies in India's Cinemas|last2=Dudrah|first2=Rajinder|date=2016-05-06|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-92759-3|pages=84|language=en|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011124343/https://books.google.com/books?id=RggfDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA84&dq=bharathiraja#v=onepage&q=bharathiraja&f=false|url-status=live}} Bharathiraja is revered as one of the best directors of Indian cinema. His ideas were original and his subjects were complex ideas expressed in a manner every common man could understand.{{Cite web|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/05sld1.htm|title=rediff.com: Bharatiraja going places|website=specials.rediff.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310020719/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/05sld1.htm|url-status=live}}

He is also known for introducing a number of new faces to the film industry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/211116/casting-a-wider-net.html|title=Casting a wider net in Kollywood|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=2016-11-21|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111609/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/211116/casting-a-wider-net.html|url-status=live}} He has introduced many actors as new faces notable among them are Karthik, Radha, Revathi, Radhika, and Vijayashanti.{{Cite web|url=https://jfwonline.com/article/5-bold-and-beautiful-heroines-of-bharathiraja/|title=5 Bold And Beautiful Heroines Of Bharathiraja|website=JFW Just for women|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407140820/https://jfwonline.com/article/5-bold-and-beautiful-heroines-of-bharathiraja/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/karthik-changes-path-tamil-news-44598|title=Karthik changes path - Tamil News|date=2009-01-28|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407140814/https://www.indiaglitz.com/karthik-changes-path-tamil-news-44598|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|first=Vijaya|last=Ramaswamy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&q=bhagyaraj+introduced+by+bharathiraja&pg=PA81|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|date=2017-08-25|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-5381-0686-0|pages=81|language=en|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011124344/https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=bhagyaraj+introduced+by+bharathiraja#v=onepage&q=bhagyaraj%20introduced%20by%20bharathiraja&f=false|url-status=live}} Apart from lead actors, he has introduced a bunch of supporting actors. Notable among them include Janagaraj, Vadivukkarasi, Chandrasekhar, Pandiyan, and Napoleon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/saluting-the-gurus-of-tamil-cinema-a-teachers-day-special-tamil-news-85733.html|title=Saluting the gurus of Tamil cinema! A Teachers' Day special - Tamil News|date=2012-09-05|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407144833/https://www.indiaglitz.com/saluting-the-gurus-of-tamil-cinema-a-teachers-day-special-tamil-news-85733.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/movies/features/i-played-wife-mother-grandmother-in-my-20s-i-got-used-to-it-in-conversation-with-vadivukkarasi/|title='I Played Wife, Mother & Grandmother In My 20s. I Got Used To It': In Conversation With Vadivukkarasi|last1=V|date=2018-11-26|website=Silverscreen.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407144834/https://silverscreen.in/movies/features/i-played-wife-mother-grandmother-in-my-20s-i-got-used-to-it-in-conversation-with-vadivukkarasi/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/iyakkunar-imayam-bharathiraja-starting-film-school-briic-tamil-news-181698|title=Iyakkunar Imayam Bharathiraja to start a film school - Tamil News|date=2017-03-20|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407143518/https://www.indiaglitz.com/iyakkunar-imayam-bharathiraja-starting-film-school-briic-tamil-news-181698|url-status=live}} As an experimental initiative he used to give new actors a small role in his films later they becoming popular among people and turning to busy actors. Many present day directors who were unknown to people turned into actors after playing a debut petty role in his films: K. Bhagyaraj, Manivannan, Manobala, Thiagarajan, and Ponvannan are among them.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/A-mastermind-at-work/article17288295.ece|title=A mastermind at work|date=2017-02-11|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011124346/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/A-mastermind-at-work/article17288295.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://kannanbhimsingh.com/Nizhalgal.html|title=Nighalgal|website=kannanbhimsingh.com|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407164043/http://kannanbhimsingh.com/Nizhalgal.html|url-status=live}} He was also instrumental in portraying Sathyaraj for the first time in lead role.

Bharathiraja inspired many young film makers and runs a school called Bharathi Raja International Institute of Cinema (BRIIC) on film making.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/ace-filmmaker-bharathiraja-to-set-up-film-school/article6185350.ece|title=Ace filmmaker Bharathiraja to set up film school|date=2014-07-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111606/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/ace-filmmaker-bharathiraja-to-set-up-film-school/article6185350.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2014/jul/07/bharathiraja-to-set-up-film-school-633027.html|title=Bharathiraja to Set Up Film School|website=The New Indian Express|date=7 July 2014 |access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111608/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2014/jul/07/Bharathiraja-to-Set-Up-Film-School-633027.html|url-status=live}}

Bharathiraja directed socially themed films with special emphasis on women and their complicated interpersonal relationships. He addressed other social evils like caste discrimination in his films.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/balachander-and-bharathirajaa-two-filmmakers-who-took-tamil-cinema-new-heights-52500|title=Balachander and Bharathirajaa, two filmmakers who took Tamil cinema to new heights|website=www.thenewsminute.com|date=7 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407111607/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/balachander-and-bharathirajaa-two-filmmakers-who-took-tamil-cinema-new-heights-52500|archive-date=7 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-07}}

Personal life

Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasamy to parents Periyamayathevar and Karuthammal in Theni Allinagaram, a town in the erstwhile Theni district of Tamil Nadu in a Kallar family.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/happy-birthday-director-bharathiraja-tamil-films-329678-2016-07-17|title=Happy 75th Birthday Bharathiraja|date=17 Jul 2016 |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=India Today}} He married ChandraLeela in 1974 and has two children Manoj Bharathiraja (1976–2025) and Janani (born 1979).

Manoj was an actor who was introduced in Taj Mahal and he married actress Nandana Aswathi.{{cite web |title=Bharathirajas daughter weds in Malaysia |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/41186.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101249/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/41186.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=30 August 2013 |work=indiaglitz.com}}{{cite web |title=Manoj Bharathy weds Nandhana |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/27027.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101311/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/27027.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=30 August 2013 |work=indiaglitz.com}} He died of heart attack on 25 March 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Actor-Director Manoj Bharathiraja Dies Due To Cardiac Arrest At 48 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/actor-director-manoj-bharathiraja-dies-due-to-cardiac-arrest-at-48-article-119486476 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Times Now |language=en}} Janani is married to Malaysian Rajkumar Thambiraja. Bharathiraja's brother-in-law Manoj Kumar has directed films such as Mannukkul Vairam, Vandicholai Chinraasu, Vaanavil and Guru Paarvai.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News28/29-8-05/tamil-movies-news-bharathiraja.html|title=Behindwoods : BharathiRaja's relative ManojKumar has planned several projects on the anvil|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=24 August 2014|archive-date=27 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727145629/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News28/29-8-05/tamil-movies-news-bharathiraja.html|url-status=live}} His brother Jayaraj made his acting debut with Kaththukkutti.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/etcetera/article6299055.ece|title=Etcetera: Bharathiraja's lookalike|author=Nikhil Raghavan|work=The Hindu|date=9 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2014|archive-date=4 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204183453/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/etcetera/article6299055.ece|url-status=live}} His relative Stalin is a television actor who acted in serials such as Saravanan Meenatchi and 7C.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Awards

=Civilian honours=

2004 – Padmashri from the Government of India{{cite web|title=Padma Awardees|url=http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php|work=Government of India|publisher=National Informatics Centre|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=31 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131221505/http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php|url-status=live}}

=National Film Awards=

1982 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for Seethakoka Chiluka (Director)
1986 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Mudhal Mariyathai (Producer & Director)
1988 – National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues Vedham Pudhithu (Director)
1995 – National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for Karuththamma (Director)
1996 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Anthimanthaarai (Director)
2001 – National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Kadal Pookkal (Director & Writer)

=Filmfare Awards South=

1978 – Best Tamil Director for Sigappu Rojakkal
1987 - Best Tamil Film for Vedham Pudhithu{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/35thAnnualFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners |title=35th Annual Filmfare Award South Winners |work=Filmfare |date=5 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170205141932/https://archive.org/details/35thAnnualFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners |archive-date= 5 February 2017 }}{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/FilmfareAwardForBestTamilDirectorwinnerbharathirajaspecial |title=Filmfare Award For Best Tamil Director Winner Bharathiraja special |work=Filmfare |date=6 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170206132513/https://archive.org/details/FilmfareAwardForBestTamilDirectorwinnerbharathirajaspecial |archive-date= 6 February 2017 }}
1987 - Best Tamil Director for Vedham Pudhithu
1994 - Best Tamil Film for Karuthamma

=Tamil Nadu State Film Awards=

1977 – Best Director Award for 16 Vayathinile
1979 - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film - Second Prize - Puthiya Vaarpugal
1981 – Best Director Award for Alaigal Oivathillai
1994 - Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light for Karuththamma
2001 - Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award- Arignar Anna Award in 2001
2003 – Best Film in First place Eera Nilam

=Nandi Awards=

1981 – Nandi Award for Best Director for Seethakoka Chiluka{{Cite web|date=2010-03-13|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|access-date=3 January 2021|publisher=Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh|language=te}}

=[[Vijay Awards]]=

2012 – Contribution to Tamil Cinema
2013 – Best Supporting Actor for Pandiya Naadu

=Other awards=

1980 – South Indian Film Technicians : Best Technician Award for Kallukkul Eeram
2005 – Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) from Sathyabama University{{Cite web |title=Honoris Causa 2005 - Satyabhama University |url=http://www.sathyabama.ac.in/sitepagetwo.php?mainref=0&firstref=100&secondref=25 |access-date=2020-09-16 |website=Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology |archive-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916182344/http://www.sathyabama.ac.in/sitepagetwo.php?mainref=0&firstref=100&secondref=25 |url-status=live }}
2015 – SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award

Legal issues

He attended the Heroes Day Conference at Jaffna and appreciated its bravery and valour.{{cite web|url=http://kollywood.allindiansite.com/g/41ta.html|title=AllIndianSite.com - Cinema scidhigal - It's All About movie|work=allindiansite.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025835/http://kollywood.allindiansite.com/g/41ta.html|archive-date=27 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}
He organised a protest by Nadigar Sangam against the Indian state of Karnataka for not releasing Cauvery water at Neyveli. During an interview to Sun TV channel, film co-stars such as Sarath Kumar and wife Radhika who attended the conference accused him of using that opportunity to eulogise current Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and launching attacks on actor Rajinikanth's home state's ethnicity.{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/14/stories/2002101403500500.htm|title=The Hindu : Bharatiraaja 'misdirected' Neyveli show|work=hinduonnet.com|access-date=15 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127163047/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/14/stories/2002101403500500.htm|archive-date=27 November 2007|url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/13/stories/2002101304130100.htm|title=The Hindu : Rally exposes politicised film industry|work=hinduonnet.com|access-date=15 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102121317/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/13/stories/2002101304130100.htm|archive-date=2 November 2007|url-status=usurped}}

Filmography

=As director and producer=

==Films==

class="wikitable sortable"
rowspan="2" \| Year ! rowspan="2" \| Title ! rowspan="2" \| Language ! colspan="2" \| Credited as ! rowspan="2" \| Notes
Director !Producer
1977 \|16 Vayathinile \|rowspan="3" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
rowspan="2"\|1978 \|Kizhake Pogum Rail \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
Sigappu Rojakkal \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director
rowspan="3"\|1979 \|Solva Sawan \|Hindi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Remake of 16 Vayathinile
Puthiya Vaarpugal \|rowspan="2" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
Niram Maaratha Pookkal \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Voice for Vijayan
rowspan="3"\| 1980 \|Kotha Jeevithalu \|Telugu \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Remake of Puthiya Vaarpugal
Red Rose \|Hindi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Remake of Sigappu Rojakkal
Nizhalgal \|rowspan="2" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
rowspan="3"\|1981 \|Alaigal Oivathillai \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
Seethakoka Chiluka \|Telugu \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Tik Tik Tik \|rowspan="4" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
rowspan="2"\|1982 \|Kaadhal Oviyam \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
Valibamey Vaa Vaa \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Dubbed in Telugu as Yavvanam Pilichindhi (1985)
rowspan="2"\|1983 \|Man Vasanai \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Dubbed in Telugu as Ee Tharam Illalu (1985)
Lovers \|Hindi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Remake of Alaigal Oivathillai / Seethakoka Chilaka
1984 \|Pudhumai Penn \|rowspan="3" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
rowspan="2"\|1985 \|Oru Kaidhiyin Diary \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
Mudhal Mariyathai \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
rowspan="2"\|1986 \|Saveray Wali Gaadi \|Hindi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
Kadalora Kavithaigal \|rowspan="2" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|25th Film
rowspan="2"\|1987 \|Vedham Pudhithu \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
Aradhana \|rowspan="2" \|Telugu \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
rowspan="2"\|1988 \|Jamadagni \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Dubbed in Tamil as Naarkaali Kanavugal
Kodi Parakuthu \|rowspan="16" \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|Voice for Manivannan
1990 \|En Uyir Thozhan \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
1991 \|Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
1992 \|Nadodi Thendral \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
rowspan="2"\|1993 \|Captain Magal \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
Kizhakku Cheemayile \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
1994 \|Karuthamma \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare
1995 \|Pasum Ponn \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
rowspan="2"\|1996 \|Tamizh Selvan \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
Anthimanthaarai \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1999 \|Taj Mahal \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
2001 \|Kadal Pookkal \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|National Film Award for Best Screenplay
2003 \|Eera Nilam \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
2004 \|Kangalal Kaidhu Sei \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
2008 \|Bommalattam \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|
2013 \|Annakodi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|
2016 \|Final Cut of Director \|Hindi \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{n}} \|Original version of Bommalattam (2008); previously titled Cinema
2020 \|Meendum Oru Mariyathai \|Tamil \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{y}} \|

class="wikitable sortable"

rowspan="2" | Year

! rowspan="2" | Title

! rowspan="2" | Language

! colspan="2" | Credited as

! rowspan="2" | Notes

Director

!Producer

1977

|16 Vayathinile

|rowspan="3" |Tamil