Days after the passing of veteran filmmaker-actor Bharathiraja, the Tamil film fraternity woke up to yet another shocking loss with the demise of veteran director-actor K Bhagyaraj. The filmmaker, who built an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades and earned widespread acclaim for his contributions to Tamil cinema, reportedly passed away after suffering from a cardiac arrest. He was 73.
Interestingly, Bhagyaraj first started out with a small cameo appearance, as a junior artist, in Bharathiraja’s debut, 16 Vayathinile (1977) and then briefly appeared in the director’s Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) where he also wrote dialogues for it. He served as an assistant director to the late filmmaker in 16 Vayathinile and Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) and wrote script for it besides Tik Tik Tik (1981). Later, Bhagyaraj made his directorial debut with Suvarilladha Chiththirangal (1979), in which he starred alongside Sudhakar and Sumathi.
His most notable films include Suvarilladha Chiththirangal (1979), Oru Kai Osai (1980), Mouna Geethangal (1981), Andha 7 Naatkal (1981), Darling, Darling, Darling (1982), Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), Dhavani Kanavugal (1984), Chinna Veedu (1985), Enga Chinna Rasa (1987), and Avasara Police 100 (1990).