Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Jun 27: Veteran Tamil filmmaker, actor and screenwriter K Bhagyaraj passed away in Chennai on Saturday following a heart attack. He was 73.
The Tamil Nadu government announced that state honours will be accorded during his final journey, while the film fraternity mourned the loss of one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated creative personalities known for his exceptional storytelling, screenplay writing and middle-class family dramas.
The Chief Minister’s Office, under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, paid tribute to Bhagyaraj and announced state honours as a mark of respect for his immense contribution to the film industry.
“Upon learning of the passing of Thiru K Bhagyaraj, the preeminent director, actor, screenwriter, dialogue writer and music composer of Tamil cinema, who left an indelible mark through his multifaceted talents, I am filled with profound shock and deep sorrow,” the CMO said.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also remembered the veteran filmmaker and hailed his contribution to Indian cinema, expressing condolences to Bhagyaraj’s wife Poornima Bhagyaraj, children Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Saranya Bhagyaraj, and the entire film fraternity.
Actor Kamal Haasan paid tribute to Bhagyaraj, recalling their long association and saying Tamil cinema had lost one of its great creative minds.
Actor Venkatesh Daggubati, along with Raghava Lawrence, Selvaraghavan, Simran and several other film personalities, also mourned his demise and remembered his contribution to cinema.
Bhagyaraj is survived by his wife, former actor Poornima Bhagyaraj, son actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj.
Born as Krishnaswamy Bhagyaraj in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district, he started his film journey as an assistant to acclaimed filmmaker Bharathiraja before carving a successful career as a director, actor and writer.
During his illustrious career, Bhagyaraj directed more than 25 films and acted in over 75 movies. He was regarded as one of Tamil cinema’s finest screenwriters, known for his sharp dialogues, relatable characters and socially rooted storytelling.
His celebrated films include Mundhanai Mudichu, Andha 7 Naatkal and Darling, Darling, Darling, which continue to be remembered as classics of Tamil cinema.