Radikaa Sarathkumar mourned veteran filmmaker K Bhagyaraj’s death, calling him a loyal friend and visionary who reshaped Tamil family entertainment. Attending his funeral, she condemned the intrusive behaviour of paparazzi, urging media, government and the film industry to create strict protocols so grieving families can mourn in dignity and privacy, without funerals turning into a spectacle.
Tamil film actress Radikaa Sarathkumar condoled the death of veteran actor-director Bhagyaraj in a social media post, requesting the media to give grievers privacy during funerals.
Radikaa, who has collaborated with the director on films such as Indru Poi Naalai Vaa (1981), was seen at the funeral, among other important members of the film fraternity. "Final goodbye,to 50 years of a very special friendship ,a great creator,a evolved writer,a person who drew wonderful boundaries in Cinema,a man I shared many laughs,wonderful work, who stood by my family always in his quiet loyal way (sic)," she wrote on X.
The actress also addressed a rising concern in the industry, pointing out the need to regulate paparazzi presence at funeral events. "A shocking goodbye, for his family, friends, associates and fans A place where all needed to digress and mourn in silence, turned into a circus, for all who came to pay their respects. Where and when do we change or rather changed to this callousness. The government and industry need to sit and chart protocols and collective management , and give all dignity to the departed soul," she wrote, tagging the official Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu account on X
The actress further request the press to give grieving families their privacy in an emotional state at the director's funeral. "A humble request to all the press here. Cinema is our occupation, but we are also humans at the end of the day. If you want drama for the sake of TRP ratings, I will deliver that through films. Here, give us some privacy, please," she said.
Veteran Tamil filmmaker, actor and screenwriter K Bhagyaraj passed away after suffering a heart attack in Chennai on Saturday. He was 73. His passing marks the loss of one of Tamil cinema's most influential creative voices, as his films reshaped family entertainment through razor-sharp screenwriting, relatable characters and relevant storytelling.
Bhagyaraj is survived by his wife, actor Poornima Bhagyaraj, and their children, actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Saranya Bhagyaraj. According to reports, the filmmaker had remained active until recently and had attended social events just days before his death.
His death comes just days after the passing of his mentor, filmmaker Bharathiraja, leaving the Tamil film industry reeling from the loss of two of its most iconic names in quick succession.