For Mohanlal, Bharathiraja was more than a celebrated filmmaker whose work shaped generations of cinema lovers. He was also a co-star he had long admired, with whom he finally shared the screen in the film ‘Thudarum’.
Following the passing of Bharathiraja, the Malayalam superstar took to social media to express his grief and pay tribute to the veteran filmmaker and actor. Mohanlal described his collaboration with Bharathiraja in ‘Thudarum’ as one of the proudest moments of his career.
Remembering him, Mohanlal said Bharathiraja was a storyteller who found beauty in simplicity and humanity in everyday life. He noted that sharing screen space with him in ‘Thudarum’ would remain a deeply meaningful memory.
The tribute has drawn added attention as ‘Thudarum’ also marked Bharathiraja’s final on-screen appearance. Directed by Tharun Moorthy and headlined by Mohanlal, the film featured the veteran filmmaker in the role of Palani Swamy, an ageing stunt master. His character’s bond with Mohanlal’s role forms one of the emotional anchors of the story.
The film was completed during a challenging phase in Bharathiraja’s life. Despite facing serious health issues and memory-related concerns, he reportedly completed his portions with the dedication that defined his long-standing career in cinema. Director Tharun Moorthy had earlier shared that Bharathiraja agreed to the project partly because it gave him the opportunity to meet and spend time with Mohanlal, a prospect he deeply valued.
The developments, highlighted by Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, come as the film industry continues to mourn the loss of one of Tamil cinema’s most influential filmmakers.
Bharathiraja passed away while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. Over a career spanning several decades, he established himself as a pioneering voice in Tamil cinema, known for telling grounded, emotionally rich stories rooted in rural life and landscapes.
His debut film ’16 Vayathinile’ marked a turning point in Tamil cinema, followed by acclaimed works such as ‘Sigappu Rojakkal’, ‘Nizhalgal’, ‘Alaigal Oivathillai’, ‘Mudhal Mariyathai’ and ‘Kizhakku Cheemayile’. These films cemented his reputation as one of Indian cinema’s most respected and influential filmmakers.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the industry, Mohanlal’s words stand as a reflection of both professional admiration and personal respect for a filmmaker whose legacy continues to shape Indian cinema.
