Marking a golden jubilee in Indian cinema, veteran filmmaker and actor K. Bhagyaraj announced his plans to return to the director’s chair during a press meet held on his birthday in Chennai. The acclaimed storyteller revealed that negotiations are currently underway for him to helm both a feature film and a web series this year, signaling a new creative phase five decades after his entry into the industry.
Reflecting on his journey, which began as an assistant director to Bharathiraja in the 1977 classic 16 Vayathinile, Bhagyaraj expressed disbelief at the milestone. He shared an emotional anecdote regarding his screen name, noting that he originally used the moniker Kovai Rajan while seeking opportunities. It was during 16 Vayathinile that he adopted the name Bhagyaraj to honor his mother, Bhagyam, ensuring her blessings remained with him on title cards. He recalled a recent conversation with Kamal Haasan, who observed that every technician and actor associated with that specific film went on to achieve extraordinary success in the industry.
Bhagyaraj also reminisced about his transition from a writer and assistant to a lead actor. He recounted a time during the making of Kizhake Pogum Rail when he was tasked with leading a donkey for a scene, prompting mockery from his family who asked if he joined cinema to tend to animals. However, his mother predicted that his director would one day make him a hero, a prophecy that came true with Puthiya Vaarpugal, though she passed away before its release. Paying tribute to industry stalwarts, Bhagyaraj cited MGR’s compassion, Sivaji Ganesan’s respect for directors, and Rajinikanth’s unchanged humility as guiding forces throughout his extensive career.