- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- July 17, 1941
- Place of Birth
- Theni, Tamil Nadu, India
- Died
- June 10, 2026
Bharathiraja
Periyamayathevar Bharathiraja was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who worked mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with 16 Vayathinile, he was known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of rural life in his films and popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Imayam. Bharathiraja had won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Nandi Award. He 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.
Filmography
movieThudarum
2025 · Stunt Master Palani Swamy
movieNiram Marum Ulagil
2025 · Rayappan
movieThiru.Manickam
2024 · Shanmugam
movieMaharaja
2024 · Gopal Thatha
movieKalvan
2024 · Azhagar
movieKadhale Kadhale
2024
movieMargazhi Thingal
2023 · Ramaiya
movieKarumegangal Kalaiginrana
2023 · Justice Ramanathan
tvModern Love Chennai
2023 · Director
movieThiruvin Kural
2023 · Marimuthu
movieVaathi
2023 · Villager
movieThiruchitrambalam
2022 · Thiruchitrambalam Sr.
movieKuttram Kuttrame
2022 · Retd. DSP. Muthukaruppan
movieRocky
2021 · Manimaran
movieEeswaran
2021 · Periyasamy
movieMeendum Oru Mariyathai
2020 · Om, Director, Story, Screenplay
movieNamma Veettu Pillai
2019 · Arunmozhivarman
movieKennedy Club
2019 · Savarimuthu
movieSeethakathi
2018 · Self
moviePadai Veeran
2018 · Krishnan
movieKurangu Bommai
2017 · Sundaram
Ninaithathu Yaaro
movieNinaithathu Yaaro
2014 · Self
moviePandiya Naadu
2013 · Kalyanasundaram
movieAnnakodi
2013 · Writer, Director, Producer
movieRettaisuzhi
2010 · Singaravelan
movieBommalattam
2008 · Producer, Director, Dialogue, Story, Screenplay
movieAayitha Ezhuthu
2004 · Selva Nayagam
movieKangalal Kaidhu Sei
2004 · Director, Screenplay
movieEera Nilam
2003 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
movieKadhal Virus
2002 · Self
Kadal Pookkal
movieKadal Pookkal
2001 · Director, Screenplay
movieTaj Mahal
1999 · Director, Screenplay
Tamizh Selvan
movieTamizh Selvan
1996 · Director, Screenplay
movieAnthimanthaarai
1996 · Director, Screenplay, Playback Singer
Pasumpon
moviePasumpon
1995 · Director, Screenplay
movieKaruththamma
1994 · Self, Director, Playback Singer, Screenplay
movieKizhakku Cheemayile
1993 · Screenplay, Director
Captain Magal
movieCaptain Magal
1993 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
movieNadodi Thendral
1992 · Director, Producer, Screenplay
movieIdhayam
1991 · Self
movieThanthu Vitten Ennai
1991 · Self
Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
moviePudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
1991 · Screenplay, Director
movieEn Uyir Thozhan
1990 · Ramesh (voice), Director, Screenplay
movieKodi Parakuthu
1989 · GD (voice), Director, Screenplay, Producer
Jamadagni
movieJamadagni
1988 · Director, Screenplay
movieVedham Pudhithu
1987 · Widowed Forest Ranger (voice), Director, Screenplay
movieAradhana
1987 · Director, Story, Screenplay
movieKadalora Kavithaigal
1986 · Director, Screenplay
movieSaveray Wali Gaadi
1986 · Screenplay, Story, Director
movieMudhal Mariyathai
1985 · Producer, Director, Screenplay
movieOru Kaidhiyin Diary
1985 · Director, Screenplay
movieKarishmaa
1984 · Story
movieDhavani Kanavugal
1984 · Self
movieMangamma Gari Manavadu
1984 · Original Story
moviePudhumai Penn
1984 · Director, Screenplay
movieMann Vasanai
1983 · Mookkaiyan (voice), Director, Screenplay
movieLovers
1983 · Director, Screenplay
Valibamey Vaa Vaa
movieValibamey Vaa Vaa
1982 · Director, Screenplay
movieKadhal Oviyam
1982 · Screenplay, Director
movieTik Tik Tik
1981 · Writer, Director
movieSeethakoka Chilaka
1981 · Screenplay, Director
movieAlaigal Oyivadhilai
1981 · David (voice), Director, Screenplay
movieKotha Jeevithalu
1981 · Screenplay, Director
Nizhalgal
movieNizhalgal
1980 · Director, Screenplay
movieRed Rose
1980 · Story, Director, Screenplay
Kallukul Eeram
movieKallukul Eeram
1980 · Self, Screenplay
Niram Maaratha Pookkal
movieNiram Maaratha Pookkal
1979 · Vijayan (voice), Director, Screenplay
moviePuthiya Vaarpugal
1979 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
movieSolva Sawan
1979 · Director, Screenplay, Story
movieSigappu Rojakkal
1978 · Director, Story, Screenplay
moviePadaharella Vayasu
1978 · Original Story
Kizhakke Pogum Rail
movieKizhakke Pogum Rail
1978 · Station Master (uncredited), Director, Screenplay
movie16 Vayathinile
1977 · Director, Screenplay, Story
movieValli Mayil
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movieNaa Naa
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