Actor and director Manoj Bharathiraja has passed away at the age of 48 due to a cardiac arrest. The son of renowned filmmaker Bharathiraja, Manoj’s sudden death has left the industry and his fans in shock. According to media reports, he passed away this evening, March 25, 2025, in Chennai.
Manoj made his acting debut in 1999 with his father’s film Taj Mahal and went on to lead in several notable films, including Alli Arjuna, Samudhiram, Eeswaran, and Viruman. Following in his father’s footsteps, he also ventured into direction, making his directorial debut with the 2023 Tamil film Margazhi Thingal, which received critical acclaim. Manoj leaves behind his wife Nandana and their two children.
News of his passing was shared by News18 Tamil Nadu on the social media platform X.
Manoj Bharathiraja’s Film Career
The son of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, Manoj Bharathiraja made a mark with his acting debut in Taj Mahal (1999) and gained further recognition for his roles in Alli Arjuna (2002) and Kadal Pookkal (2001). In recent years, he transitioned into direction, creating Margazhi Thingal (2023), a film exploring themes of love and tradition, which earned praise from critics.