P. Bharathiraja

P. Bharathiraja
Born Chinnasaamy
(1941-07-17) 17 July 1941[1]
Theni Allinagaram, Theni, Tamil Nadu
Occupation Film director, screenwriter, film producer, actor
Years active 1977–present
Spouse(s) Chandraleela
Children Manoj K bharathi, Janani Raaja Kumar
Parent(s)
  • Periyamayathevar
  • Meenakshiyammal
[2]
Awards Padma Shri (2004)

Bharathiraja (born 17 July 1941) is an Indian film director 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. As of 2017, he has won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, two 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.

Film career

Bharathiraja started his film career as an assistant to Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal.[3] Later, he assisted P. Pullaiah, M. Krishnan Nair,[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

Vedham Pudhithu dealt with the caste issue in a stronger manner.[8] 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. However, it does follow the anti-Brahmin trend common in Tamil films – in this respect it departed from his earlier success Alaigal Oiyvadhillai, where the caste and religion factor was given a more balanced treatment. 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, with Napolean, Heera Rajgopal and Prakash Raj in the leading roles. Both films were later shelved.[9]

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.

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.[10][11] He later moved on to plan a film starring director Vasanth's son, Ritwik Varun, and Vikram's nephew, but did not begin shooting for the venture.[12] In 2018, Bharathirajaa is working on a film titled November 8, Iravu 8 Mani starring Vidharth, which narrates events following the decision to demonetise certain banknotes in India.[13][14]

Personal life

Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasamy to parents Periyamayathevar and Karuthammal. He is married to ChandraLeela and has two children Manoj Bharathiraja and Janani. Manoj is an actor who was introduced in Tajmahal and he is married to actress Nandana.[15][16] Janani is married to Malaysian Rajkumar Thambiraja.[15] Bharathiraja's brother-in-law Manojkumar has directed films such as Mannukkul Vairam, Vandicholai Chinraasu, Vaanavil and Guru Paarvai.[17] His brother Jayaraj made his acting debut with Kaththukkutti.[18] His relative Stalin is a television actor who acted in serials such as Saravanan Meenatchi and 7C.

Awards

Civilian honours

National Film Awards

Filmfare Awards South

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Nandi Awards

Vijay Awards

Other awards

  • South Indian Film Technicians : Best Technician Award for Kallukkul Eeram

Controversies

  • He attended the Heroes Day conference at Jaffna and appreciated its heroism and valour.[22] Tamil Nadu Congress president Krishnasamy claimed he met the LTTE's leader Prabhakaran, accused of planning the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and who is banned in India.
  • He organised a protest by Tamil Nadu artists against the Indian state of Karnataka for not releasing Cauvery water at Neyveli. During a SUN TV interview, film co-stars such as Sarath Kumar and Radhika who attended the conference accused him of using that opportunity to eulogise current Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha and launching attacks on Rajinikanth's homestate's ethnicity.[23][24]
  • In the month of June 2013, it was claimed that Bharathiraja was responsible for the death of Manivannan. Bharathiraja made harsh comments against Manivannan in a leading Tamil magazine.[25]

Filmography

Films

Year Title Language Credited as Role Notes
Director Writer Actor
197716 VayathinileTamilGreen tickGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Padaharella Vayasu
Remade in Hindi as Solva Sawan
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
1978Kizhake Pogum RailTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Toorpu Velle Railu
1978Sigappu RojakkalTamilGreen tickGreen tickRemade in Hindi as Red Rose
Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director
1979Solva SawanHindiGreen tickGreen tick
1979Puthiya VaarpugalTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Kotha Jeevithalu
1979Niram Maaratha PookkalTamilGreen tick
1980NizhalgalTamilGreen tick
1980Kotha JeevithaluTeluguGreen tickGreen tick
1980Red RoseHindiGreen tickGreen tick
1980Kallukkul EeramTamilGreen tick
1981Alaigal OivathillaiTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Seethakoka Chiluka
Remade in Hindi as Lovers
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
1981Tik Tik TikTamilGreen tickGreen tickRemade in Hindi as Karishma
1981Seethakoka ChilukaTeluguGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1982Kaadhal OviyamTamilGreen tick
1982Valibamey Vaa VaaTamilGreen tick
1983Man VasanaiTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Mangammagari Manavadu
1983LoversHindiGreen tick
1983Dhavani KanavugalTamilGreen tickGuest appearance
1984Pudhumai PennTamilGreen tick
1985Oru Kaidhiyin DiaryTamilGreen tickRemade in Hindi as Aakhree Raasta
1985Yuvadharam PilicindiTeluguGreen tick
1985Mudhal MariyathaiTamilGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1985Ee Tharam IllaluTeluguGreen tick
1986Saveray Wali GaadiHindiGreen tick
1986Kadalora KavithaigalTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Aradhana
1988JamadagniTeluguGreen tick
1987Vedham PudhithuTamilGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
1987AradhanaTeluguGreen tick
1988Kodi ParakuthuTamilGreen tick
1990En Uyir ThozhanTamilGreen tickGreen tick
1991Pudhu Nellu Pudhu NaathuTamilGreen tick
1991IdhayamTamilGreen tickGuest appearance
1991Thanthu Vitten EnnaiTamilGreen tickGuest appearance
1992Nadodi ThendralTamilGreen tick
1993Captain MagalTamilGreen tick
1993Kizhakku CheemayileTamilGreen tickRemade in Telugu as Palnati Pourusham
1994KaruthammaTamilGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare
1995Pasum PonnTamilGreen tick
1996Tamizh SelvanTamilGreen tick
1996AnthimanthaaraiTamilGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1999Taj MahalTamilGreen tick
2001Kadal PookkalTamilGreen tickGreen tickNational Film Award for Best Screenplay
2002Kadhal VirusTamilGreen tickGuest appearance
2003Eera NilamTamilGreen tick
2004Kangalal Kaidhu SeiTamilGreen tick
2004Aayutha EzhuthuTamilGreen tickSelvanayagam
2008BommalattamTamilGreen tickGreen tick
2010RettaisuzhiTamilGreen tickSingaravelan
2013AnnakodiTamilGreen tickGreen tick
2013PandianaduTamilGreen tickKalyanasundaramVijay Award for Best Supporting Actor
2014Ninaithathu YaaroTamilGreen tickGuest appearance
2017Kurangu BommaiTamilGreen tickSundaram
2017PadaiveeranTamilGreen tick
2018omTamilGreen tick

Television

  • Thekkathi Ponnu
  • Appanum Aathaalum
  • Mudhal Mariyadhai
  • Rekka katti parakkuthu manasu

Dubbing artist

Singer

References

  1. ↑ Srivatsan (17 July 2016). "Happy 75th Birthday Bharathiraja: Remembering the iconoclast's best films". India Today. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "இயக்குனர் இமயம் பாரதிராஜா! - Lakshman Sruthi - 100% Manual Orchestra -". lakshmansruthi.com.
  3. ↑ "Puttanna Kanagal". FilmiBeat.
  4. ↑ Video on YouTube
  5. ↑ "Man behind the 1970s wave". Frontline.
  6. ↑ "50 Tamil Movies to watch before you Die - 18 : Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) - Sylvianism". Sylvianism.
  7. ↑ http://www.bbthots.com/reviews/rewind/mmariyaadhai.html
  8. ↑ Shankar. "My rambling and ranting..." shankyyanky.blogspot.in.
  9. ↑ "A-Z (V)". indolink.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013.
  10. ↑ http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010416/bala-and-bharathiraja-face-off-over-rights-to-film.html
  11. ↑ http://www.sify.com/movies/two-writers-fight-over-kuttra-parambarai-news-tamil-qd3p0tfgbegcj.html
  12. ↑ https://www.indiaglitz.com/director-bharathiraja-next-film-with-vasanth-son-not-alaigal-oivadhillai-part-2-tamil-news-163633
  13. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Bharathirajaa-to-work-on-new-film-not-Kutra-Parambarai/articleshow/53301779.cms
  14. ↑ https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/110317/a-promising-line-up-of-films-for-vidharth.html
  15. 1 2 "Bharathirajas daughter weds in Malaysia". indiaglitz.com.
  16. ↑ "Manoj Bharathy weds Nandhana". indiaglitz.com.
  17. ↑ "Behindwoods : BharathiRaja's relative ManojKumar has planned several projects on the anvil". behindwoods.com.
  18. ↑ Nikhil Raghavan. "Etcetera: Bharathiraja's lookalike". The Hindu.
  19. ↑ "Padma Awardees". Government of India. National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  20. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  21. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  22. ↑ "AllIndianSite.com - Cinema scidhigal - It's All About movie". allindiansite.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  23. ↑ "The Hindu : Bharatiraaja `misdirected' Neyveli show". hinduonnet.com.
  24. ↑ "The Hindu : Rally exposes politicised film industry". hinduonnet.com.
  25. ↑ "மணிவண்ணனைக் 'கொன்ற' குரு பாரதிராஜா!!". tamil.filmibeat.com.
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