Chennai, June 11 (AHN) Legendary Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja, whose pioneering work reshaped the landscape of Tamil cinema and brought rural life to the forefront of storytelling, will be laid to rest with full state honours at his farmhouse near Vathalagundu in Theni district on Thursday.

The acclaimed director passed away in Chennai on Wednesday due to age-related health complications, triggering an outpouring of grief from the film fraternity, political leaders and admirers across the country.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited Bharathiraja’s residence in Chennai on Wednesday and paid his last respects by placing a wreath on the filmmaker’s mortal remains. He also met members of the bereaved family and conveyed his condolences.

Recognising Bharathiraja’s immense contribution to Tamil cinema and culture, the Chief Minister announced that the director’s final rites would be conducted with full state honours. Throughout the day, a steady stream of political leaders, actors, filmmakers, and members of the public gathered at the residence to pay homage to the veteran director.

Among those who paid their respects were DMK leader M.K. Stalin, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, Ministers N. Anand, R. Nirmal Kumar and Rajmohan, actors Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar, Vijayakumar and Radha Ravi, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, poet-lyricist Vairamuthu and directors S.A. Chandrasekhar and K. Bhagyaraj.

Speaking to reporters, Vairamuthu said Bharathiraja’s mortal remains would be buried on Thursday at his farmhouse near Vathalagundu, where the filmmaker had spent much of his time in recent years. He also expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for deciding to accord state honours to the late director.

The filmmaker’s body was kept at his Chennai residence until Wednesday night to enable the public, film personalities and political leaders to pay their respects before it was transported to his native district.

Meanwhile, the South Indian Film Employees Federation (FEFSI) announced the suspension of all film shooting activities across Tamil Nadu on Thursday as a mark of respect. Bharathiraja made his directorial debut with the path-breaking “16 Vayathinile” in 1977 and went on to create several landmark films, including “Kizhakke Pogum Rail”, “Alaigal Oivathillai”, “Mudhal Mariyadhai”, “Vedham Pudhithu”, “Karuthamma” and “Kizhakku Cheemayile”.

Revered as “Iyakkunar Imayam” (Peak of Directors), he is widely credited with transforming Tamil cinema by taking stories rooted in villages, ordinary lives and rural landscapes to mainstream audiences, leaving behind a cinematic legacy that will endure for generations.