The Tamil film industry is in utter despair over the death of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja. Bharathiraja, popularly known as the ‘Iyakkunar Imayam’, changed the face of Tamil cinema with his realistic storytelling and memorable characters. For several decades in his professional career, he made movies focusing on village life, human emotions, and culture. His movies are still captivating to watch even in the present times. Actress Sakshi Agarwal remembered the legendary filmmaker and the lasting impact of his work amidst a deluge of tributes from across the industry.

Remembering the magic of simple stories

In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Sakshi Agarwal opened up about Bharathiraja’s huge contribution to cinema. “Bharathiraja sir revolutionized the language of Tamil cinema. He took stories out of the studios and planted them in the soil of our villages. He made unforgettable characters out of ordinary people,” she said. “One of the most striking things about his filmmaking was that he depicted rural life in an honest, dignified, and emotional way,” the actress said. “His films were not only entertaining but also gave people a chance to reconnect with their roots, their relationships, and their culture,” she said.

A legacy built on authenticity and real emotions

Sakshi Agarwal continued by saying that Bharathiraja’s works still inspire many artists across several generations to date. “In our case, as artists, his movies were an indication that there was no end to authenticity. Every scene was a living one, and every character was a truthful portrayal,” she explained. While she could not have spent much time personally with the director, she says his films have been a part of her life throughout. “His style of storytelling is bound to leave its impact on filmmakers, actors, and viewers even in the coming years,” she concluded.

Mayil remains an iconic character in Tamil Cinema

When it comes to Bharathiraja’s great works, Sakshi chose to speak about the character of Mayil, brought to life by Sridevi in ’16 Vayathinile’, describing her as one of the most inspiring female characters portrayed in Tamil films. “Sir Bharathiraja had a unique quality of turning normal people into superstars. The stories that he narrated were very real because they were born out of the essence of our culture and country,” she remarked. Sakshi Agarwal ended her eulogy with gratitude, thanking the famous director for bringing reality to people and their stories.