Manoj Bharathiraja passes away at 48 due to cardiac arrest, just weeks after heart surgery. Tamil film industry mourns the untimely loss.
The Tamil film industry is in shock following the sudden demise of actor-director Manoj Bharathiraja, son of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, who passed away on March 25, 2025, at the age of 48 due to cardiac arrest. According to film industry data, Manoj Bharathiraja appeared in more than 15 Tamil films across his 26-year career spanning from 1999 to 20251. His untimely death, which occurred just weeks after undergoing bypass surgery, has left the entire film fraternity grieving and paying tributes to the multi-talented artist.
From Taj Mahal to Margazhi Thingal: The Legacy of Manoj Bharathiraja’s Film Journey
Born on September 11, 1976, in Theni, Tamil Nadu, Manoj Bharathiraja was immersed in cinema from a young age, being the son of celebrated director Bharathiraja. He studied theatre arts at the University of South Florida before entering the film industry. Manoj made his acting debut in 1999 with the romantic drama “Taj Mahal,” directed by his father, where he starred alongside Riya Sen1. Although the film didn’t achieve commercial success, its A.R. Rahman’s soundtrack received wide acclaim.
Throughout his career, Manoj appeared in several notable films including “Samudhiram” (2001), “Kadal Pookkal” (2001), “Alli Arjuna” (2002), and “Varushamellam Vasantham” (2002). After a brief hiatus, he returned to the screen with “Annakodi” (2013) and later appeared in “Maanaadu” (2021) and “Viruman” (2022).
His directorial debut “Margazhi Thingal” in 2023 was one of the 250+ films released in Tamil cinema that year, marking his transition from acting to direction after nearly two decades in the industry. Despite his famous lineage, Manoj was known for his determination to create his own identity in the film industry without leveraging his father’s reputation.
Beyond acting, Manoj had worked as an assistant director under stalwarts of the industry including his father Bharathiraja, Mani Ratnam on “Bombay,” and S. Shankar on “Enthiran” (2010). He was last seen in Prime Video’s “Snakes & Ladders“.
Vijay, Kamal Haasan and Tamil Cinema Stars Pay Emotional Tributes to Manoj Bharathiraja
The news of Manoj Bharathiraja’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from the Tamil film industry. Superstar Vijay was visibly emotional when he visited Manoj’s residence to pay his final respects on Wednesday. In a video shared widely on social media, Vijay can be seen placing a garland on Manoj’s mortal remains and standing in respectful silence, clearly moved by the loss.
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan expressed his condolences through social media, writing, “I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Manoj Bharathiraja, the son of actor and my soulmate director Bharathiraja. I express my deepest condolences to Bharathiraja, his family, and friends, who are grieving the loss of their beloved son”.
Director Venkat Prabhu shared his shock on social media, posting, “Really shocking to hear the news… can’t believe you are no more, my brother. #Manoj gone tooooo soon… deepest condolences to @offBharathiraja, uncle, family, and friends. May your soul rest in peace”.
Music director Ilaiyaraaja and actor-politician Khushbu Sundar also joined the chorus of tributes. Khushbu wrote, “Extremely shocked to hear that Manoj is not among us anymore. His untimely demise pains. He was just 48 years old. May God give the strength to his father Thiru Bharathiraaja Val and his family to overcome this unbearable, painful loss”.
