Manoj Bharathiraja, a Tamil actor and son of veteran director Bharathiraja, passed away at the age of 48 in Chennai on Tuesday, March 25. The actor, who was recovering from bypass surgery, had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 evening at his home in Chennai
Actor Manoj Bharathiraja, who acted in films like Taj Mahal, Samudhiram, and Alli Arjuna, died of a heart attack in Chennai. He was 48.
It was tweeted by the actors' union, the Nadigar Sangam, with the message, "Director Bharathiraja's son Manoj Bharathiraja passed away due to cardiac arrest." Manoj's wife was actress Nandana, and he had two daughters, Arshita and Mathivadhani, in addition.
Manoj directed the romantic drama Margazi Thingal, which features his father in a leading role, for the first time in 2023. His most recent on-screen appearance was for Prime Video's Snakes & Ladders, which released in 2024.
Tributes flow for Manoj
As the news of his death emerged, several celebrities took to social media to mourn the loss. Khushbu Sundar took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to remember him. She wrote, “Extremely shocked to hear that Manoj is not among us anymore. His untimely demise pains. He was just 48 years old. May God give the strength to his father, Thiru #Bharathiraaja avl, and his family to overcome this unbearable, painful loss. You will be missed, Manoj. Rest in peace. Om Shanti.”
Manoj Bharathiraja's passing is a huge loss for the Tamil film fraternity, depriving it of talent and a love of cinema.