Legendary Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja, 84, has been hospitalized in Chennai due to breathing difficulties. He was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Aminjikkarai. Doctors have stated that his condition is stable and that he is responding well to treatment. He is currently under close observation in the intensive care unit.
Bharathiraja was initially hospitalized on December 27, 2025, after experiencing respiratory issues, including wheezing. MGM Healthcare released a statement confirming that he is receiving appropriate medical care in the ICU and that his vital parameters are within normal limits with the support being provided. The hospital staff added that he is responding satisfactorily to the treatment and that further updates would be communicated as necessary.
Bharathiraja, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema, made his directorial debut in 1977 with "16 Vayathinile". He is known for directing several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including "Kizhake Pogum Rail," "Sigappu Rojakkal," "Alaigal Oivathillai," "Kaadhal Oviyam," and "Mudhal Mariyathai". Throughout his career, Bharathiraja has garnered numerous awards, including six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and a Nandi Award. In 2004, he was honored with the Padma Shri award for his contributions to the Indian film industry.
The hospitalization comes after a challenging period in Bharathiraja's life, as he recently lost his son, Manoj Bharathiraja, in March 2025 due to a cardiac arrest at the age of 48. Reports suggest that Bharathiraja has been struggling to cope with the loss of his son.
Prior to this recent hospitalization, Bharathiraja had reportedly been in Malaysia seeking treatment for an unspecified condition. His brother, Jayaraj Periyamayathevar, revealed that Bharathiraja's mental health remains fragile following his son's death.
In August 2022, Bharathiraja was also admitted to MGM Healthcare for a lung infection. At that time, the hospital reported that he was in stable condition and making progress while under close monitoring by a team of medical experts. Bharathiraja had assured his fans that he was receiving good care and requested them not to visit him in the hospital.
