CM Vijay announces state honours
Veteran director, producer and screen writer P Bharathiraja died on Wednesday due to age related complications here, leaving behind a rich legacy of filmmaking that saw the studio-to-village transition in Tamil cinema.
According to family sources, the 84 year-old Padma Shri recipient died at his city residence, after battling age-related ailments for sometime. Bharathiraja is survived by wife, Chandraleela, and daughter, Janani Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, himself a top Tamil star, veteran stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, both of whom have worked with Bharathiraja in films including his blockbuster debut venture “16 Vayathinile,” and scores of celebrities and political leaders, including DMK president M K Stalin, visited the director’s residence and paid tributes. In his condolence message, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said he was “deeply saddened by the demise of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, a true pioneer who transformed Tamil cinema with his unique storytelling and profound portrayal of rural life.”
Chief Minister Vijay announced that in recognition of his contributions to cinema, state honours will be accorded to the veteran. (PTI)
