Bharathiraja health update: Veteran Tamil director is stable following complaints of breathlessness
Veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja, hospitalised after breathlessness, is stable and responding well to treatment in ICU, doctors said. His vital parameters are within normal limits
Last Updated: 03.34 PM, Jan 04, 2026
Veteran director and actor Bharathiraja, who has been hospitalised due to ill-health, is stable, hospital sources confirmed. Bharathiraja, who is known for his films like Sigappu Rojakkal and 16 Vayathinile, had lost his son and actor Manoj Bharathiraja last year.
How is Bharathiraja's health now?
Bharathiraja, a celebrated Tamil filmmaker, has been admitted to a private hospital in Chennai. While rumours surface about his condition, as per the latest bulletin issued by the hospital on Saturday, Bharathi Raja is under treatment and is doing stable.
The bulletin said that he was admitted following complaints of breathlessness. "He is receiving appropriate medical care in the intensive care unit. His clinical condition is stable and he continues to be under close monitoring by our team of medical experts," it read. Further adding, the update said that Bharathiraja is 'responding satisfactorily' to the treatment that is ongoing and his vital parameters are 'within normal limits'.
Bharathiraja fell sick on December 27 and was admitted to the hospital. Given his old age, the director has been receiving appropriate treatment to bring his health to stability. It is to be noted that his son and actor Manoj Bharathiraja had died last year at the age of 48. His demise brought great shock to the film fraternity.
What is Bharathiraja known for?
Predominantly who worked in Tamil film industry, Bharathiraja is known for directing films that had a rural flavour. made his directorial debut in 1977 with 16 Vayathinile that starred Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi. His films like Sigappu Rojakkal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Mudhal Mariyathai, Kizhakku Cheemayile, Karuthamma and others have remained iconic in Tamil cinema till date. He has worked with stalwarts like Sivaji Ganesan and Chiranjeevi as well. He also transitioned as an actor and had appeared recently in films like Niram Marun Ulagil and Maharaja, and Malayalam film Thudarum starring Mohanlal and Shobana in the lead roles.