Bharathiraja
Directing Born Jul 17, 1941 Died Jun 10, 2026 Theni, Tamil Nadu, India 146 credits
Biography
Bharathiraja is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He made his debut in 1977 with the film 16 Vayathinile. Bharathiraja is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of rural life in his films and is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Imayam. He has won several awards, including six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and a Nandi Award. Bharathiraja has also directed films in Telugu and Hindi. He was honored with the Padma Shri award, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2004 for his contribution to the film industry.
Advertisement
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Bharathiraja.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
ThudarumNiram Marum Ulagil
MaharajaThiru.ManickamKalvanKadhale Kadhale
Modern Love Chennai · DirectorVaathiThiruvin KuralMargazhi ThingalKarumegangal Kalaiginrana
Kuttram KuttrameThiruchitrambalam
RockyEeswaran
Meendum Oru MariyathaiMeendum Oru Mariyathai · DirectorMeendum Oru Mariyathai · StoryMeendum Oru Mariyathai · Screenplay
Kennedy ClubNamma Veettu Pillai
Padai VeeranSeethakathi
Kurangu Bommai
Ninaithathu Yaaro
Pandiya NaaduAnnakodi · DirectorAnnakodi · WriterAnnakodi · Producer
Rettaisuzhi
Bommalattam · ProducerBommalattam · DirectorBommalattam · StoryBommalattam · ScreenplayBommalattam · Dialogue
Kangalal Kaidhu Sei · DirectorKangalal Kaidhu Sei · ScreenplayAayitha Ezhuthu
Eera Nilam · DirectorEera Nilam · ScreenplayEera Nilam · Producer
Kadhal Virus
Kadal Pookkal · DirectorKadal Pookkal · Screenplay
Taj Mahal · DirectorTaj Mahal · Screenplay
Tamizh Selvan · DirectorTamizh Selvan · ScreenplayAnthimanthaarai · DirectorAnthimanthaarai · ScreenplayAnthimanthaarai · Playback Singer
Pasumpon · DirectorPasumpon · Screenplay
KaruththammaKaruththamma · DirectorKaruththamma · Playback SingerKaruththamma · Screenplay
Kizhakku Cheemayile · DirectorKizhakku Cheemayile · ScreenplayCaptain Magal · DirectorCaptain Magal · ScreenplayCaptain Magal · Producer
Nadodi Thendral · DirectorNadodi Thendral · ScreenplayNadodi Thendral · Producer
IdhayamThanthu Vitten EnnaiPudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu · DirectorPudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu · Screenplay
En Uyir ThozhanEn Uyir Thozhan · DirectorEn Uyir Thozhan · Screenplay
Kodi ParakuthuKodi Parakuthu · DirectorKodi Parakuthu · ScreenplayKodi Parakuthu · Producer
Jamadagni · DirectorJamadagni · Screenplay
Vedham PudhithuVedham Pudhithu · DirectorVedham Pudhithu · ScreenplayAradhana · DirectorAradhana · Story
Kadalora Kavithaigal · DirectorKadalora Kavithaigal · ScreenplaySaveray Wali Gaadi · DirectorSaveray Wali Gaadi · StorySaveray Wali Gaadi · Screenplay
Oru Kaidhiyin Diary · DirectorOru Kaidhiyin Diary · ScreenplayMudhal Mariyathai · DirectorMudhal Mariyathai · ProducerMudhal Mariyathai · Screenplay
Full Filmography
146 titles- Thudarum (2025) as Stunt Master Palani Swamy
- Niram Marum Ulagil (2025) as Rayappan
- Maharaja (2024) as Gopal Thatha
- Thiru.Manickam (2024) as Shanmugam
- Kalvan (2024) as Azhagar
- Kadhale Kadhale (2024)
- Modern Love Chennai (2023) Director
- Vaathi (2023) as Villager
- Thiruvin Kural (2023) as Marimuthu
- Margazhi Thingal (2023) as Ramaiya
- Karumegangal Kalaiginrana (2023) as Justice Ramanathan
- Kuttram Kuttrame (2022) as Retd. DSP. Muthukaruppan
- Thiruchitrambalam (2022) as Thiruchitrambalam Sr.
- Rocky (2021) as Manimaran
- Eeswaran (2021) as Periyasamy
- Meendum Oru Mariyathai (2020) as Om
- Meendum Oru Mariyathai (2020) Director
- Meendum Oru Mariyathai (2020) Story
- Meendum Oru Mariyathai (2020) Screenplay
- Kennedy Club (2019) as Savarimuthu
- Namma Veettu Pillai (2019) as Arunmozhivarman
- Padai Veeran (2018) as Krishnan
- Seethakathi (2018) as Self
- Kurangu Bommai (2017) as Sundaram
- Ninaithathu Yaaro (2014) as Self
- Pandiya Naadu (2013) as Kalyanasundaram
- Annakodi (2013) Director
- Annakodi (2013) Writer
- Annakodi (2013) Producer
- Rettaisuzhi (2010) as Singaravelan
- Bommalattam (2008) Producer
- Bommalattam (2008) Director
- Bommalattam (2008) Story
- Bommalattam (2008) Screenplay
- Bommalattam (2008) Dialogue
- Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004) Director
- Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004) Screenplay
- Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) as Selva Nayagam
- Eera Nilam (2003) Director
- Eera Nilam (2003) Screenplay
- Eera Nilam (2003) Producer
- Kadhal Virus (2002) as Self
- Kadal Pookkal (2001) Director
- Kadal Pookkal (2001) Screenplay
- Taj Mahal (1999) Director
- Taj Mahal (1999) Screenplay
- Tamizh Selvan (1996) Director
- Tamizh Selvan (1996) Screenplay
- Anthimanthaarai (1996) Director
- Anthimanthaarai (1996) Screenplay
- Anthimanthaarai (1996) Playback Singer
- Pasumpon (1995) Director
- Pasumpon (1995) Screenplay
- Karuththamma (1994) as Self
- Karuththamma (1994) Director
- Karuththamma (1994) Playback Singer
- Karuththamma (1994) Screenplay
- Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) Director
- Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) Screenplay
- Captain Magal (1993) Director
- Captain Magal (1993) Screenplay
- Captain Magal (1993) Producer
- Nadodi Thendral (1992) Director
- Nadodi Thendral (1992) Screenplay
- Nadodi Thendral (1992) Producer
- Idhayam (1991) as Self
- Thanthu Vitten Ennai (1991) as Self
- Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) Director
- Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) Screenplay
- En Uyir Thozhan (1990) as Ramesh (voice)
- En Uyir Thozhan (1990) Director
- En Uyir Thozhan (1990) Screenplay
- Kodi Parakuthu (1989) as GD (voice)
- Kodi Parakuthu (1989) Director
- Kodi Parakuthu (1989) Screenplay
- Kodi Parakuthu (1989) Producer
- Jamadagni (1988) Director
- Jamadagni (1988) Screenplay
- Vedham Pudhithu (1987) as Widowed Forest Ranger (voice)
- Vedham Pudhithu (1987) Director
- Vedham Pudhithu (1987) Screenplay
- Aradhana (1987) Director
- Aradhana (1987) Story
- Aradhana (1987) Screenplay
- Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986) Director
- Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986) Screenplay
- Saveray Wali Gaadi (1986) Director
- Saveray Wali Gaadi (1986) Story
- Saveray Wali Gaadi (1986) Screenplay
- Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) Director
- Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) Screenplay
- Mudhal Mariyathai (1985) Director
- Mudhal Mariyathai (1985) Producer
- Mudhal Mariyathai (1985) Screenplay
- Dhavani Kanavugal (1984) as Self
- Pudhumai Penn (1984) Director
- Pudhumai Penn (1984) Screenplay
- Mangamma Gari Manavadu (1984) Original Story
- Karishmaa (1984) Story
- Mann Vasanai (1983) as Mookkaiyan (voice)
- Mann Vasanai (1983) Director
- Mann Vasanai (1983) Screenplay
- Lovers (1983) Director
- Lovers (1983) Screenplay
- Valibamey Vaa Vaa (1982) Director
- Valibamey Vaa Vaa (1982) Screenplay
- Kadhal Oviyam (1982) Director
- Kadhal Oviyam (1982) Screenplay
- Alaigal Oyivadhilai (1981) as David (voice)
- Alaigal Oyivadhilai (1981) Director
- Alaigal Oyivadhilai (1981) Screenplay
- Tik Tik Tik (1981) Director
- Tik Tik Tik (1981) Writer
- Seethakoka Chilaka (1981) Director
- Seethakoka Chilaka (1981) Screenplay
- Kotha Jeevithalu (1981) Director
- Kotha Jeevithalu (1981) Screenplay
- Nizhalgal (1980) Director
- Nizhalgal (1980) Screenplay
- Kallukul Eeram (1980) as Self
- Kallukul Eeram (1980) Screenplay
- Red Rose (1980) Story
- Red Rose (1980) Director
- Red Rose (1980) Screenplay
- Niram Maaratha Pookkal (1979) as Vijayan (voice)
- Niram Maaratha Pookkal (1979) Director
- Niram Maaratha Pookkal (1979) Screenplay
- Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) Director
- Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) Producer
- Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) Screenplay
- Solva Sawan (1979) Director
- Solva Sawan (1979) Story
- Solva Sawan (1979) Screenplay
- Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) as Station Master (uncredited)
- Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) Director
- Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) Screenplay
- Padaharella Vayasu (1978) Original Story
- Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) Director
- Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) Story
- Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) Screenplay
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) Director
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) Screenplay
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) Story
- Athirshtam Azhaikkirathu (1976) Assistant Director
- Valli Mayil
- Naa Naa
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bharathiraja best known for?
Bharathiraja is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Padai Veeran (2018), Taj Mahal (1999), Taj Mahal (1999), Pasumpon (1995).
When and where was Bharathiraja born?
Bharathiraja was born on July 17, 1941 in Theni, Tamil Nadu, India. They passed away on June 10, 2026.
How many credits does Bharathiraja have?
Bharathiraja has accumulated over 146 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1976 to 2025.
What is Bharathiraja's background in cinema and television?
Bharathiraja is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He made his debut in 1977 with the film 16 Vayathinile. Bharathiraja is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of rural life in his films and is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Imayam. He has won several awards, including six National ...