Krishnaswamy Bhagyaraj (7 January 1953 โ 27 June 2026) was an Indian filmmaker, actor, musician and politician. He worked predominantly in Tamil cinema, while also directing and acting in films in other Indian languages.
๐ Early Life and Career
Bhagyaraj was born in Vellankoil, near Gobichettipalayam, in 1953. He began working in the Tamil film industry in the mid-1970s as an assistant director under G. Ramakrishnan and Bharathiraja.
He began writing scripts and dialogues for films, while also appearing in smaller acting roles. Beginning in the early 1980s, Bhagyaraj started directing films and often appeared in the lead role in the films he directed.
๐ฅ Film Achievements
He wrote and directed more than 25 films and acted in over 75 films. He was regarded as one of the most influential writer-directors in Tamil cinema during the 1980s.
He made his directorial dรฉbut with Suvarilladha Chiththirangal in 1979. He also debuted as the leading man in Puthiya Vaarpugal, directed by Bharathiraja.
๐ Awards and Recognition
Bhagyaraj received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer for Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979). He received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor โ Tamil for Mundhanai Mudichu (1983).
He also received the SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Personal Life
In 1981, Bhagyaraj married actress Praveena, who died due to jaundice in August 1983. On 7 February 1984, he married actress Poornima Jayaram.
The couple had a daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj and a son Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, both of whom are actors. Bhagyaraj died on 27 June 2026 due to cardiac arrest at the age of 73.
๐ณ๏ธ Political Career
Bhagyaraj founded MGR Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam in 1989. He joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam later, before joining the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 2005.
He was active in politics in the 1990s and early 2000s.
๐ Other Works
He edited the Tamil weekly magazine Bhagya and authored several novels. He wrote books such as Vaanga Cinemavai Pattri Pesalam, Neenga Nenaicha Saadikkalaam and Ungal Bhagyaraj in Kelvi Bhadhil (Five Parts).
| Category | Detail | Year | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Vellankoil, near Gobichettipalayam | 1953 | Tamil |
| Death | Cardiac arrest | 2026 | Tamil |
| Award | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer | 1979 | Tamil |
| Award | Filmfare Award for Best Actor โ Tamil | 1983 | Tamil |