Bharathiraja's early creative life unfolded on makeshift stages in Theni, where he wrote, directed, and acted in plays like "Oor Sirikkirathu" and "Summa Oru Kadhai."
Bharathiraja made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed 16 Vayathinile in 1977 and went on to direct more than 40 films over a career spanning four decades.