Rajinikanth: Bharathiraja's name will live in Tamil hearts forever
Synopsis
Rajinikanth's farewell to Bharathiraja was more than a celebrity tribute — it was a window into a 50-year friendship built on radical honesty. The director who once told the Superstar 'I like you but not your acting' was, by all accounts, the rare voice in Tamil cinema that spoke truth to everyone, from producers to Chief Ministers.
Key Takeaways
Rajinikanth paid homage to director Bharathiraja at his Chennai residence on 10 June .
Rajinikanth described Bharathiraja as a friend of 50 years with child-like innocence and rare candour.
Bharathiraja was a six-time National Award-winning director credited with launching numerous film careers.
Rajinikanth revealed he was unable to meet the director before his passing despite wishing to do so.
Kamal Haasan and music composer Ilaiyaraaja also visited the residence to pay their respects.
Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday, 10 June paid personal homage to legendary Tamil director Bharathiraja at the late filmmaker's residence in Chennai, calling him a friend of 50 years whose legacy would endure in the hearts of Tamil people for generations. The tribute came as film personalities across the industry gathered to mourn one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated directors.
Rajinikanth's Tribute
Speaking to reporters after paying his respects, Rajinikanth said, 'He has been a friend for 50 years. Everybody knows about his talent, his achievements. He introduced several actors, actresses, technicians to the film industry and he made the film industry live. Not just that, he was among those who first raised his voice for anybody — be it producers, directors or anyone who had a problem. No matter how many years pass, his creations will not be forgotten. His name will continue to remain in the hearts of the Tamil people forever.'
A Bond Built on Candour
On a personal note, Rajinikanth described the six-time National Award-winning director as someone with a child-like innocence and an unfiltered honesty that was rare in the film world. 'Whatever he felt, he would openly speak. If he liked, he'd say he liked. Else, he'd say no. He has even told me ‘I like you but I don’t like your acting,’' Rajinikanth disclosed with evident warmth.
He added that Bharathiraja's openness was the very quality that made him beloved across generations — a man who could walk into anyone's home at any hour. 'That was why he was close to everybody including former Chief Ministers MGR, Dr Kalignar, and Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan,' Rajinikanth said.
A Meeting That Never Happened
Rajinikanth revealed that Bharathiraja's passing was not entirely sudden, and that he had hoped to visit the director during his illness. 'I had wanted to meet him when he was alive but was told I could meet him once he became well. But then, I couldn't meet him at all,' he said, visibly moved. He extended his deepest condolences to the director's family.
Industry Mourns Together
Actor, producer, and Member of Parliament Kamal Haasan and legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja also visited Bharathiraja's residence to pay their respects, underscoring the profound impact the director had across Tamil cinema's creative fraternity. Bharathiraja, widely credited with pioneering rural and realist storytelling in Tamil films, is remembered for launching the careers of numerous actors, actresses, and technicians over several decades.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the industry, the outpouring reflects not just professional admiration but deep personal bonds the director had cultivated throughout his life.
Point of View
Now increasingly driven by star-system optics, is losing. The gathering of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Ilaiyaraaja at one address is itself a rare image, a reminder of an era when craft, not commerce, was the binding force.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bharathiraja?
Bharathiraja was one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated directors, renowned for pioneering rural and realist storytelling. A six-time National Award winner, he is credited with launching the careers of numerous actors, actresses, and technicians over several decades.
What did Rajinikanth say about Bharathiraja?
Rajinikanth called Bharathiraja a friend of 50 years, praising his talent, candour, and contribution to Tamil cinema. He recalled the director once telling him, 'I like you but I don't like your acting,' as an example of Bharathiraja's rare honesty.
Did Rajinikanth meet Bharathiraja before he passed away?
No. Rajinikanth revealed he had wanted to visit the director during his illness but was told to wait until Bharathiraja recovered. He expressed deep regret that the meeting never took place.
Who else paid homage to Bharathiraja?
Actor, producer, and Member of Parliament Kamal Haasan and legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja both visited Bharathiraja's Chennai residence to pay their respects alongside Rajinikanth.
Why is Bharathiraja significant to Tamil cinema?
Bharathiraja is widely credited with transforming Tamil cinema by introducing rural settings and realist narratives at a time when the industry was dominated by urban and mythological themes. He mentored generations of talent and won six National Awards over his career.
