Ilaiyaraajas brother, Gangai Amaran, was reportedly seen taking a dig at Bharathirajaa's family. He claimed that Bharathiraaja was not looked after.
Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away on June 10, 2026, at the age of 84. The entire regional movie industry has been mourning his loss. People who have worked with Bharatraja in his long and illustrious career, visited his home to pay their last respects. Now, highly acclaimed singer, Ilaiyaraaja’s brother, Gangai Amaran, who himself is a musician, slammed the family of the filmmaker. He expressed his sorrow to the media.
Ilaiyaraaja’s brother, Gangai Amaran, was reportedly seen taking a dig at Bharathiraja's family during his last days. He took a dig at the family members who were seen standing next to his body and crying. He questioned their negligence towards the health of the filmmaker and shared, speaking to the press, of the grief he has been carrying after the demise of Bharathiraja. He shared:
"You all left him alone in the end. Don’t you realise the grief we are in? Bharathiraja is the one who raised us. If he hadn’t come to Chennai, we wouldn’t be here. Both Ilaiyaraaja and I worked with him, and we all lived by sharing his salary. He fed us, raised us, and made us who we are. He is such a great man. Think of the sorrow when you realise such a man is no longer with us. Can you even imagine? Is it possible to describe?”
Bharathiraja left behind a monumental legacy in the rich History of Indian cinema. His last rites reportedly was conducted with state honours. The current chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Joseph Vijay, reportedly visited the residence of the director to pay his final respect. Ilaiyaraaja’s brother, Gangai Amaran, reportedly had even screamed at those who were telling him or were trying to even calm him down. He alleged that Bharathiraja was left all alone. Gangai shared that no one was besides Bharathiraja when he died and he was left all by himself. According to social media reports, the last rites of Bharathiraaja were performed with full state honours. Bharathiraaja's last rites took place at his farmhouse located in the Theni district on June 11, 2026, according to famous lyricist, Vairamuthu.
Legendary playback singer, Ilaiyaraaja, who had also gone to the home of Bharathiraaja. He became extremely emotional when asked about a press statement. He revealed what there was to say, as there was nothing that he had to say. Ilaiyaraaja shared that he lost the man and shared that this was not at all the place for an interview. In his words:
"I pray to God for his soul to rest in peace. I am always respectful of this country, its people and its artists. The bond I share with you, my audience, is the bond I share with him, too.”
Bharathiraja had a very long association with Ilaiyaraaja and also his brothers. This was way before both of them became the famous giants of the Tamil cinema. Ilaiyaraaja was known for performing with his brothers, Pavalar Varadarajan, Gangai, and Bhaskar, at various community party stages. This was back when Bharathiraaja had his work as a health inspector, as per reports. Well, when Bharathiraaja entered the theatre industry, it was Ilaiyaraaja who joined him for music composition. Both of them had then shifted to Chennai but did not get success on a platter. They had both been together during their theatre days and had also collaborated extensively.
Ilaiyaraaja’s brother, Gangai Amaran, was reportedly seen taking a dig at Bharathiraja's family.
Also Read: Rohini Gets Candid About Her Failed Marriage With Raghuvaran, 'Expected Me To Be A Housewife..'