Bharathiraja is credited
with bringing in the earthy realism of rustic
village life. In a sense, he took Tamil cinema
away from the confines of the studios as most
of his stories were set in a rural milieu.
His film 16 Vayadhinale became a big hit partly
due to the humanistic touch in the story coupled
with wonderful performances by Sridevi, Kamal
and Rajini.
He excelled in the romantic genre and his
films like Kizakke
pogum
rayil, Alaigal oivadhillai and Mann vasanai
helped boost the careers of the lead stars like
Radhika, Radha, Karthik, Revathy and many others.
He also revealed his social consciousness with
films like Pudumaippenn, Vedham pudhithu and
Karuthamma. His only work with Nadigar Thilagam
Sivaji, Mudhal mariyadhai showed that he could
extract a subdued performance from the roaring
lion. He has also launched many actors, actresses
and directors.
