Bharathiraja (Iyakunar Imayam)

Name Bharathiraja
Birth Name Chinnasamy
Also called as Pal pandi
Title Iyakunar imayam
Profession Director, Writer, Producer, Actor
Date of Birth 17th July 1941
Birth Place Allinagaram, Madurai, Tamilnadu
Nationality Indian
Mother Tongue Tamil
Family Father - Periya Maya Thevar
Mother - Meenatchiammaal (a) Karuthammaal
Wife - Chandra Leelavathi
Son - Manoj
Daughter - Janani
Daughter-in-law - Nandhana
Childhood Passions Deer hunting and literature
Earlier jobs * Sanitary Inspector in the Public Health Department in 1963, at a monthly salary of Indian Rs.75/-
* Staging dramas
* Radio programs
* worked in a petrol station
Debut Director: 16 vayathinile - Tamil
Yerra Gulabi - Telugu
Solva Sawan - Hindi

Actor: Kallukkul Eeram

Producer: Karuthamma
Dramas * He wrote, directed and acted in his first dramas "Oor Sirikkirathu" (The Town Laughs) and "Summa Oru Kadhai" (Just a Story) in Theni, Pazhani and Chettiyapatti village during festival seasons.
* While in Chennai he wrote "Adhigaaram" (Power) with the help of his friends.
First job in the film world * As assistant to director P.Pullaiya and Kannada film maker Puttanna Kanagal
Guru Puttannaa Ganagal
Early days * Was the fifth child to his parents
* Was interested in the films right from his childhood
* Was a good speaker and went places spreading social awareness among the uneducated villagers.
* Came to Chennai with just 350 rupees and his mother's blessings
Notable films Directed 16 Vayathinile
* His first directorial debut was a blockbuster
* Kamal, Rajini, Sridevi who acted in this film later on became film superstars.
* Kamal was the hero and Rajini was a villian in this movie
* Was a great block buster for Illayaraja as far as music is concerned

Sigappu Rojakkal
* A movie about a psychopathic woman hater that was totally westernized in terms of both conception and production.
* This broke the general opinion of the public that Bharathiraja can only direct village oriented films

* Tik..Tik..Tik - action thriller

*Alaigal Oivadhillai, Mann Vaasanai and Mudhal Mariyaadhai - were strong love stories in a village backdrop.

* Mudhal Mariyaadhai film remains one of the most successful films for both himself and Sivaji Ganesan.

* Vedham Pudhithu, a masterpiece that can be considered his best film so far, dealt with the caste issue in a much stronger manner. It stirred up many controversies

* Pudumai Penn - social awareness
* The huge commercial success of Kizhakkuch Cheemaiyile and the awards Karuththamma garnered stand as testimony for his ability to thrill the younger generation as well.
Favorites Poet - Kannadasan
Director- Balu mahendra
Introduced into film world Director/Actor(s) - Bagyaraj, Manivannan
Actors: Karthik, Pandian, Raja, Nizhalgal Ravi, Sudhakar, Rahul,Vijayan
Actresses: Radhika, Rathi, Rekha, Revathi, Radha, Ranjitha, Uma, Aswini, Suganya & Vijayshanthi
Awards * Padma Shri award for his contribution to Cinema in 2004.

* National award for the best screen play writer for Kadal Pookal in 2001.

* National Award for Anthimanthaarai in 1996

* National Award for Karuththamma in 1994 for being the best film with the a social message.
Trademark * Always starts his speeches with “en iniya Tamil makkale"
* Famous for directing and later producing village oriented movies
* Probably most of the heroines introduced by him used to have their film name starting with 'R' like Radhika, Rathi, Rekha, Revathi,Radha, Ranjitha...
Memorable moment When his mother Karuthamma received the National Award for the movie 'Karuthamma' on his behalf.
Facts * Bommalattam is his 50th film.
* His son Manoj has acted in many films
* When he entered the film world he wanted to be an actor
* He does not want his films to be remade