Legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away on June 10 due to age-related health issues. As tributes pour in for the famous director, the Government of Tamil Nadu announced that the director’s burial rites will be performed with state honours. Film personalities and cinegoers appreciated the government’s decision as a fitting tribute to a legendary filmmaker.

The government recognises Bharathiraja’s lasting contribution to cinema

In an official statement by the TN government, Bharathiraja was described as a filmmaker whose films gave audiences an unparalleled cinematic experience through stories and portrayals of village culture in Tamil Nadu. Through his films, he highlighted the lives and sentiments of villagers. It was added that apart from being a great director, Bharathiraja also trained and introduced many new actors, actresses, and technicians to cinema.

A legendary filmmaker who shaped generations of artists

Bharathiraja was an active part of filmmaking for more than four decades, during which he made several excellent films that completely revolutionised the Tamil film industry. He was one of those few filmmakers who created classics such as ’16 Vayathinile’, ‘Alaigal Oivathillai’, ‘Mudhal Mariyadhai’ and many other masterpieces, which gave birth to a new genre of filmmaking related to rural life and emotions. In addition, Bharathiraja was an instrumental figure in giving many actors and actresses a successful start in their careers.

The film fraternity and fans bid farewell to Bharathiraja

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Vijay paid a personal visit to Bharathiraja’s home in Neelankarai, where he offered condolences by paying a floral tribute to the filmmaker whose body lay at rest there. On the occasion, Vijay offered his condolences on behalf of himself, his family, his colleagues, and his fans, calling Bharathiraja’s demise a great loss for Tamil cinema. He hoped that Bharathiraja’s soul would find eternal peace in heaven and also said that appropriate state honours would be announced very soon.