P. Bharathiraja

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P. Bharathiraja
Director Bharathiraja at Salim Movie Audio Launch.jpg
Born Chinnasaamy Periyamayathevar
(1941-07-17) 17 July 1941 (age 76)[1]
Theni Allinagaram, Madura District (now Theni district), Madras Presidency, India
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)

Periyamayathevar 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 in 2004 for his contribution to the film industry.

Film career[edit]

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.

Personal life[edit]

Bharathiraja was born as Chinnasamy to parents Periyamayakallar and Karuthammal. He is married to Chandra Leelavathi and has two children Manoj Bharathiraja and Janani. Manoj is an actor who was introduced in Tajmahal and he is married to actress Nandana.[10][11] Janani is married to Malaysian Rajkumar Thambiraja.[10] Bharathiraja's brother-in-law Manojkumar has directed films such as Mannukkul Vairam, Vandicholai Chinraasu, Vaanavil and Guru Paarvai.[12] His brother Jayaraj has made his acting debut with Kaththukkutti.[13] His relative Stalin is a television actor who acted in serials such as Saravanan Meenatchi and 7C.[14]

Awards[edit]

Civilian honours[edit]

National Film Awards[edit]

Filmfare Awards South[edit]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards[edit]

Nandi Awards[edit]

Vijay Awards[edit]

Other awards[edit]

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

Controversies[edit]

  • He attended the Heroes Day conference at Jaffna and appreciated its heroism and valour.[20] 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.[21][22]
  • 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.[23]

Former assistants who are popular directors[edit]

  1. K. Bhagyaraj
  2. Manivannan
  3. Manobala
  4. Chitra Lakshmanan
  5. Manojkumar
  6. Ponvannan
  7. Seeman
  8. Leena Manimekalai
  9. N.V.Nirmal Kumar
  10. K.Dhandapani
  11. BharathiKrishnakumar

Filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Title Language Credited as Role Notes
Director Writer Actor
1977 16 Vayathinile Tamil Green tickY Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Padaharella Vayasu
Remade in Hindi as Solva Sawan
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
1978 Kizhake Pogum Rail Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Toorpu Velle Railu
1978 Sigappu Rojakkal Tamil Green tickY Green tickY Remade in Hindi as Red Rose
Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director
1979 Solva Sawan Hindi Green tickY Green tickY
1979 Puthiya Vaarpugal Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Kotha Jeevithalu
1979 Niram Maaratha Pookkal Tamil Green tickY
1980 Nizhalgal Tamil Green tickY
1980 Kotha Jeevithalu Telugu Green tickY Green tickY
1980 Red Rose Hindi Green tickY Green tickY
1980 Kallukkul Eeram Tamil Green tickY
1981 Alaigal Oivathillai Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Seethakoka Chiluka
Remade in Hindi as Lovers
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
1981 Tik Tik Tik Tamil Green tickY Green tickY Remade in Hindi as Karishma
1981 Seethakoka Chiluka Telugu Green tickY National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1982 Kaadhal Oviyam Tamil Green tickY
1982 Valibamey Vaa Vaa Tamil Green tickY
1983 Man Vasanai Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Mangammagari Manavadu
1983 Lovers Hindi Green tickY
1983 Dhavani Kanavugal Tamil Green tickY Guest appearance
1984 Pudhumai Penn Tamil Green tickY
1985 Oru Kaidhiyin Diary Tamil Green tickY Remade in Hindi as Aakhree Raasta
1985 Yuvadharam Pilicindi Telugu Green tickY
1985 Mudhal Mariyathai Tamil Green tickY National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1985 Ee Tharam Illalu Telugu Green tickY
1986 Saveray Wali Gaadi Hindi Green tickY
1986 Kadalora Kavithaigal Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Aradhana
1988 Jamadagni Telugu Green tickY
1987 Vedham Pudhithu Tamil Green tickY National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
1987 Aradhana Telugu Green tickY
1988 Kodi Parakuthu Tamil Green tickY
1990 En Uyir Thozhan Tamil Green tickY Green tickY
1991 Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu Tamil Green tickY
1991 Idhayam Tamil Green tickY Guest appearance
1991 Thanthu Vitten Ennai Tamil Green tickY Guest appearance
1992 Nadodi Thendral Tamil Green tickY
1993 Captain Magal Tamil Green tickY
1993 Kizhakku Cheemayile Tamil Green tickY Remade in Telugu as Palnati Pourusham
1994 Karuthamma Tamil Green tickY National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare
1995 Pasum Ponn Tamil Green tickY
1996 Tamizh Selvan Tamil Green tickY
1996 Anthimanthaarai Tamil Green tickY National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1999 Taj Mahal Tamil Green tickY
2001 Kadal Pookkal Tamil Green tickY Green tickY National Film Award for Best Screenplay
2003 Eera Nilam Tamil Green tickY
2004 Kangalal Kaidhu Sei Tamil Green tickY
2004 Aayutha Ezhuthu Tamil Green tickY Selvanayagam
2008 Bommalattam Tamil Green tickY Green tickY
2010 Rettaisuzhi Tamil Green tickY Singaravelan
2013 Annakodi Tamil Green tickY Green tickY
2013 Pandianadu Tamil Green tickY Kalyanasundaram Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor
2014 Ninaithathu Yaaro Tamil Green tickY Guest appearance
2017 Kurangu Bommai Tamil Green tickY Sundaram
2017 Padai Veeran Tamil Green tickY Filming

Television[edit]

  • Thekkathi Ponnu
  • Appanum Aathaalum
  • Mudhal Mariyadhai

Dubbing artist[edit]

Singer[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b "Bharathirajas daughter weds in Malaysia". indiaglitz.com. 
  11. ^ "Manoj Bharathy weds Nandhana". indiaglitz.com. 
  12. ^ "Behindwoods : BharathiRaja's relative ManojKumar has planned several projects on the anvil". behindwoods.com. 
  13. ^ Nikhil Raghavan. "Etcetera: Bharathiraja's lookalike". The Hindu. 
  14. ^ "Stalin - Vijay TV Serial Artist - Character artist". CDTV.in - Short Films Insight. 
  15. ^ "Padma Awardees". Government of India. National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 23 December 2011. 
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-05. 
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-06. 
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-05. 
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-06. 
  20. ^ "AllIndianSite.com - Cinema scidhigal - It's All About movie". allindiansite.com. 
  21. ^ "The Hindu : Bharatiraaja `misdirected' Neyveli show". hinduonnet.com. 
  22. ^ "The Hindu : Rally exposes politicised film industry". hinduonnet.com. 
  23. ^ "மணிவண்ணனைக் 'கொன்ற' குரு பாரதிராஜா!!". tamil.filmibeat.com. 

External links[edit]