Manoj Bharathiraja

Some Lesser Known Facts About Manoj Bharathiraja

• Manoj Bharathiraja predominantly worked in the Tamil film industry.

• Growing up in a family with a film background, Manoj always desired to become an actor.

  

• He actively took part in co-curricular activities during his school days.

  

• After pursuing his graduation, Manoj began his career as an assistant film director.

  

• In his debut film, Taj Mahal (1999), Manoj starred alongside actress Riya Sen, who was making her debut as well. The film was directed by his father, Bharathiraja. Although the film failed at the box office, the film’s soundtracks and picturisation of the songs helped Manoj make a memorable impression on the audience.

  

• Besides acting, he also lent his voice to the song Eechi Elumichi from his debut film Taj Mahal.

• He then went on to appear in the Tamil films Samudhiram (2001), and Kadal Pookkal (2001).

• In 2002, Manoj played the lead role of Arivazhagan (Arivu) in the Tamil drama film Alli Arjuna.

• He then appeared in the low-budget films Varushamellam Vasantham (2002), and Pallavan (2003).

• Some of his notable films include Eera Nilam (2003), Annakodi (2013), Baby (2015), Maanaadu (2021), and Viruman (2022).

  

• In 2005, he met Nandana on the sets of the Tamil film Saadhuriyan. During the shooting of the film, the two became good friends and later fell in love with each other. They tied the knot with each other in 2006.

• Initially, their parents did not agree to their decision to get married. However, Manoj and Nandana convinced their parents for marriage.

• Manoj worked as an assistant director to film director S. Shankar from 2008 to 2010 for the film Enthiran.

• In 2016, Manoj worked as an assistant director to his father for the film Final Cut of Director.

• He also worked as an assistant director to filmmaker Mani Ratnam in Bombay for a while.

• Manoj played a negative role in the Telugu film Lemon. However, the film never got released.

• In an interview, Manoj revealed that he desired to play the role of a psycho in some film.

• After starring in the film Saadhuriyan opposite Nandana, Manoj took a break from his acting career. It was after a gap of 7 years that he made his acting comeback in the Tamil industry with his father’s film Annakodi. His father signed him for the film to replace Ameer.

• It was rumoured that Manoj was set to remake his father’s film Sigappu Rojakkal. However, later, Manoj refuted the rumours.

• Manoj’s debut directorial film Margazhi Thingal was produced by his father. The film focused on themes of love and tradition, earning critical appreciation.

• On 23 July 2022, Manoj Bharathiraja was conferred with the honorary doctorate of arts by the American National Business University.

  

• Manoj was passionate about music and was a trained pianist.

• He loved playing video games and spending time with his friends in his leisure time.

• A food-enthusiast, Manoj loved trying out different cuisines.

• In February 2025, Manoj underwent an open-heart surgery at SIMS Hospital and was recuperating at home post the surgery. On 25 March 2025, Manoj Bharathiraja died of cardiac arrest after being unwell for several days.