Meet actor turned director, Manoj Bharathiraja, whose untimely death at the age of 48 shocked the Tamil film industry.
The Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of popular actor, Manoj Bharathiraja, who passed away on March 25, 2025, in a tragic turn of events. The actor-turned-director suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in Chennai at the age of 48. The news of Manoj’s death has come as a shock in both the political and film industries alike.
From Tamil Nadu CM, MK Stalin to veteran stars, Kamal Haasan and Khushbu Sundar have expressed their shock and penned condolences to social media. As per multiple reports, Manoj had undergone open-heart surgery at SIMS Hospital and was recovering at home. He had been feeling unwell for some days and suffered a heart attack at his home.
Manoj Bharathiraja’s family is deeply rooted in filmmaking. As the news of the actor’s untimely death surfaced on social media, people are searching for every detail about him. Let us read on to know Mano Bharathiraja’s journey in Tamil cinema and his personal life.
Born on September 11, 1976, in Theni, Tamil Nadu, Manoj Bharathiraja is the son of popular filmmaker Bharathiraja. His father, Bharathiraja, is a popular director in the Tamil film industry and has received six National Film Awards. Manoj studied theatre arts at the University of South Florida before venturing into films.
Before showcasing his talent as an actor, Manoj assisted Mani Ratnam in the critically acclaimed film, Bombay in 1995. He made his acting debut in 1999 with the Tamil film, Taj Mahal, directed by his father. He went on to appear in films like Kadal Pookkal (2001), Alli Arjuna (2002), Annakodi (2013), Baby (2015) and many others.
After being an actor for almost 20 years, Manoj Bharathiraja shifted his focus into direction and made his directorial debut in 2023 with the film, Margazhi Thingal. The film also featured his father, Bharathiraja, along with newcomers, Shyaam Selvan and Rakshana.
It was during the making of the film, Saadhuriyan in 2005 that Majoj Bharathiraja met actress, Nandana. They became friends and later fell in love with one another. Nandana is a popular name in the Malayalam film industry as she has acted in films like Snehithan, Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam, Sethurama Iyer CBI. She has also acted in Tamil films like ABCD, Saadhuriyan and Kalinga.
In November 2006, Manoj and Nandana got married, and the wedding was held at Ashirwad Marriage Hall in Kozhikode, Kerala, which is Nandana's home. On December 1, 2006, a grand reception was hosted at Mayor Ramanathan Chettiar Hall in Chennai. The couple welcomed two daughters, Arthika and Mathivadani.
After the news of Manoj’s untimely death surfaced on social media, Nandana’s family went into deep shock. Manoj, who was fondly known as the ‘son-in-law of Kozhikode’ among Nandana’s relatives, was loved for his down-to-earth personality and helpful nature. Speaking about his unexpected demise, Nandana’s relative said:
“We were shocked to hear about Manoj’s demise. He underwent heart valve surgery on March 7 and was recovering. Even during his last check-up, he showed no signs of complications. However, his sudden passing on Tuesday evening was completely unexpected.”
Manoj Bharathiraja’s untimely death has sent his entire fanbase into a state of shock and disbelief. May his soul rest in peace.
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