Vijay, Kamal Haasan and Ilaiyaraaja mourn Tamil actor-filmmaker Manoj Bharathiraja’s demise

Chennai: Actors Kamal Haasan and Vijay as also music composer Ilaiyaraaja were among a large number of celebrities who paid their last respects on Wednesday to deceased Tamil actor-filmmaker Manoj Bharathiraja.

Bharathiraja passed away on Tuesday in Chennai after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 48. The son of legendary Tamil director Bharathiraja, Manoj’s sudden demise has left the Tamil film industry in shock.

His final rites were held at his residence, in the presence of several film personalities.

Actor Vijay was among the first to visit Manoj’s home on Wednesday. Videos circulating on social media show him placing a large garland on Manoj’s mortal remains and standing in silence before leaving with a heavy heart.

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Thalapathy Vijay at actor Manoj Bharathiraja dead we miss u sir #ManojBarathiRaja pic.twitter.com/4lzpe57bTG

— TVK Logesh (@LogeshwarankTVK) March 26, 2025 >

Kamal Haasan also expressed his grief in a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter). “I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news of Manoj Bharathiraja’s passing. My deepest condolences to Bharathiraja, his family, and friends who are grieving this loss,” he wrote.

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நடிகரும் எனது ஆத்ம நண்பர் இயக்குநர் பாரதிராஜாவின் புதல்வனுமான மனோஜ் பாரதிராஜா மறைந்த செய்தி அறிந்து மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியும் வருத்தமும் அடைந்தேன்.

தனது அருமை மகனை இழந்து வாடும் பாரதிராஜா அவர்களுக்கும், அவரது குடும்பத்தாருக்கும், நண்பர்களுக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத்…

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) March 25, 2025 >

Music composer Ilaiyaraaja, director Venkat Prabhu, and actor-politician Khushbu Sundar also shared their condolences.

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Condolence message from @ilaiyaraaja on the sudden demise of #ManojBharathiraja #RIPManojBharathiraja @offBharathiraja @onlynikil pic.twitter.com/vAfqwm3nlb

— Webdunia Telugu (@WebduniaTelugu) March 25, 2025 >

Venkat Prabhu posted a picture of Manoj with friends, calling his death “really shocking.”

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Really shocking to hear the news.. can’t believe u r no more my brother #manoj gone toooo soon… deepest condolences to @offBharathiraja uncle family and friends may ur soul RIP#RIPmanoj #ManojBharthiraja pic.twitter.com/XebSFgKcYF

— venkat prabhu (@vp_offl) March 25, 2025 >

Khushbu wrote, “Extremely shocked… He was just 48. May God give strength to Bharathiraja sir and his family to overcome this unbearable loss.”

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Extremely shocked to hear that Manoj is not among us anymore. His untimely demise pains. He was just 48 yrs. May God give the strength to his father Thiru #Bharathiraaja avl and his family to overcome this unbearable painful loss. You will be missed Manoj.
Rest in peace.
Om… pic.twitter.com/Cu3lApdsiE

— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) March 25, 2025 >

Manoj made his acting debut in 1999 with 'Taj Mahal', directed by his father. He went on to star in films like 'Samudhiram' (2001), 'Kadal Pookkal' (2001), 'Alli Arjuna' (2002), 'Eera Nilam' (2003), and more recently, 'Maanaadu' (2021) and 'Viruman' (2022).

Before becoming an actor, Manoj worked as an assistant director under Bharathiraja and was involved in multiple projects, including 'Final Cut of Director' (2016).

Manoj’s sudden demise has left his fans and colleagues devastated. Known for his quiet charm and passion for cinema, his loss is deeply felt in the Tamil film industry.