Veteran Tamil actor K Bhagyaraj dies at 73

Veteran Tamil filmmaker, actor and screenwriter K Bhagyaraj died after suffering a heart attack in Chennai on Saturday. He was 73. His death marks the end of an era for Tamil cinema, where he was widely celebrated for his exceptional storytelling, screenplay writing and contribution to middle-class family entertainers. More details regarding his funeral and last rites are awaited. Bhagyaraj is survived by his wife, actor Poornima Bhagyaraj, and their children, actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj. The legendary filmmaker had remained active in public life until recently and had attended actor-politician Khushbu Sundar’s daughter’s wedding in Goa just a few days before his death. Over the course of his illustrious career, Bhagyaraj directed more than 25 films and acted in over 75 movies. He was also regarded as one of Tamil cinema’s finest screenwriters, with his work earning widespread acclaim for its relatable characters, emotional depth and engaging narratives. Some of his most celebrated films include Mundhanai Mudichu, Andha 7 Naatkal and Darling, Darling, Darling, all of which continue to be remembered as classics. Bhagyaraj also made his mark in Hindi cinema by directing Aakhree Raasta (1986), starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role alongside Jaya Prada, Sridevi and Anupam Kher. The revenge drama went on to become one of the notable Hindi films of the decade and further showcased Bhagyaraj’s storytelling prowess beyond Tamil cinema. (India Today)