The versatile actor, director, screenwriter K. Bhagyaraj is no more
Film director and actor K. Bhagyaraj. File. | Photo credit: The Hindu
Actor, director, writer and screenwriter K. Bhagyaraj, whose mastery of screenwriting was widely recognized and who created a narrative formula that influenced generations of filmmakers, died on Saturday (June 27, 2026). He was 73.
Sources said he suffered a massive heart attack. Actor Suhasini Maniratnam said at his residence that Bhagyaraj returned to Chennai on Friday evening after attending actor Khushboo’s daughter’s wedding in Goa. On Saturday morning, he went for a walk with his wife Poornima, but after returning home, he complained of chest pain. He was rushed to Apollo Hospital and efforts were made to resuscitate him but it proved futile.
Bhagyaraj has directed, produced and acted in many hit films that have been celebrated for their engaging stories, memorable songs and relatable characters. Mounageethangal, Antha Ezhu Naatkal and Munthanai Mudichu are some of his films that are still studied today. Almost every Bhagyaraj film spoke loudly of an idea that resonated with Tamil society.
The transformation of a Tamil hero
Bhagyaraj, Bharathiraj’s assistant who also passed away recently, forever changed the perception of the Tamil film hero by proving that wit, intelligence and ordinariness can be as compelling as physical prowess and striking presence. He uniquely combined the qualities of hero and comedian, making his bespectacled appearances as a hero both entertaining and deeply human. His idea of a hero was not even the man next door, but one of many on the streets.
He started working in the Tamil film industry in the mid-1970s as an assistant director under his guide and mentor Bharathiraja, working in iconic films like 16 Vayathinilale, Kizhakke Pogum Rail and Sigappu Rojakkal. He developed his skills as a dialogue and screenplay writer. He made his debut as a hero in Pudhiya Vaarpugal starring Rati Agnihotri and his directorial debut was Suvarillatha Chithirangal. In 1981, he married co-star Praveena, but she died in 1983. The next year, Bhagyaraj married Poornima, his Darling Darling co-star.
Hindi remakes
Bhagyaraj directed a total of 27 feature films in Tamil and Hindi. When the hit Tamil film Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) – originally directed by Bharathiraja and starring Kamal Haasan – was remade in Hindi as Aakhree Raasta (1986), Bhagyaraj was brought in as director. For the Hindi version, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan stepped into the shoes of the lead.
After this success, Bhagyaraj was directed by Mr. Bechara (1996), a Hindi remake of his own Tamil directorial venture Veetla Visheshanga (1994), starred Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. He later directed Papa the Great (2000), a Hindi remake of his 1998 Tamil film Vettiya Madichu Kattu starring Krishan Kumar and Nagma. However, this particular venture did not take off at the box office. In the subsequent phase of his directorial career, the only film worth attention was Chokka Thangam.
More roles
Apart from working behind the camera, Bhagyaraj has also had a prolific acting career, appearing in more than 80 films in Tamil and other regional languages in lead, supporting and cameo roles. Proving his true versatility, he has also composed music for five films.
He also tried his hand at politics, being an ardent fan of MG Ramachandran, though he was not very successful in that sphere. He edited the Tamil weekly Bhagya and also wrote several novels.
His funeral will be held on Sunday (June 28, 2026) afternoon at Besant Nagar Crematorium. Bhagyaraj is survived by his wife Poornima, son Shanthanu and daughter Saranya. State honors will be conferred on him during the cremation, the Tamil Nadu government announced.
(with contributions from K. Muralidharan and Ramya Kannan)
Published – 27 Jun 2026 10:28 IST