On Tuesday, March 25, the death of Tamil actor and director Manoj Bharathiraja was reported. According to the first reports, the renowned actor passed away at his residence in Chetpet, Chennai. This is all we know so far.
What did Manoj Bharathiraja die of?
The actor reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. Although there had been no prior reports of health issues, it was revealed that he had undergone bypass surgery a few days earlier and was recovering at home when he suffered the heart attack around 4 p.m. local time.
Manoj is survived by his wife and two daughters. As of now, the family has not made any public statements. More details about his final rites are expected to be revealed in the coming hours.
How old was Manoj Bharathiraja?
At the time of his death, Bharathiraja was 48 years old.
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Who was Manoj Bharathiraja?
Manoj Bharathiraja, born on September 11, 1976, was an Indian actor and director who primarily worked in the Tamil film industry. The son of the iconic director Bharathiraja, Manoj made his mark in cinema with his talent and connection to his father’s legacy.
His acting career began with his role in Taj Mahal (1999), but he gained recognition for his performances in films like Alli Arjuna (2002) and Kadal Pookkal (2001). However, over the years, he chose to shift his career focus, stepping away from acting to pursue directing, following in his father’s footsteps.
Manoj’s passion for cinema was evident from a young age, which led him to train as an assistant director before debuting in the industry. He studied theater arts at the University of South Florida and worked with his father on projects like Final Cut of Director (2016).
In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Margazhi Thingal, a Tamil film also produced by his father. The film, which explored themes of love and tradition, received critical acclaim. His last appearance on screen was in the Prime Video series Snakes and Ladders.
In his personal life, Manoj married Nandana, his childhood friend and a Tamil film actress known for her roles in movies such as ABCD and Success, on November 19, 2006. They both starred in Saadhuriyan together. The wedding took place at the Ashirwad Marriage Hall in Kozhikode, Kerala, Nandana’s hometown, and a grand reception was held on December 1, 2006, at the Ramanathan Chettiar Hall in Chennai. The couple had two daughters, Arthika and Mathivadani.
Manoj Bharathiraja’s Films
Throughout his career as an actor, Manoj participated in several cinematic projects, including:
- 1999: Taj Mahal
- 2001: Samudhiram
- 2001: Kadal Pookkal
- 2002: Alli Arjuna
- 2002: Varushamellam Vasantham
- 2003: Pallavan
- 2003: Eera Nilam
- 2004: Maha Nadigan
- 2005: Saadhuriyan
- 2013: Annakodi
- 2015: Bebé
- 2015: Kathirvel Kaakha
- 2016: Ennama Katha Vudranunga
- 2016: Vaaimai
- 2019: Campeón
- 2021: Eeswaran
- 2021: Maanaadu
- 2022: Viruman
Why is Bharathiraja famous?
Bharathiraja, Manoj’s famous father, is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in Indian cinema. His innovative approaches and complex storylines, presented in a way that was easily understandable to the general audience, made him a standout figure in the industry. He is also known for giving opportunities to numerous new talents, helping many fresh faces find a place in cinema.
Who is the most famous Tamil actor?
Rajinikanth. Since the 1970s, he has established himself as one of the most iconic actors in the Tamil film industry and is one of the highest-paid actors in Asia. While he has mainly starred in Tamil films, he has also worked in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Hollywood films.
In second place is Kamal Haasan, who has spent 60 years in the film industry. Haasan began his career as a child artist in the movie Kalathoor Kannamma (1960) and has since starred in over 200 films in major Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
