Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon has opened up about her fond memories of working with the late acclaimed filmmaker Bharathiraja. She reflected on the experience of being directed by the legendary storyteller, highlighting the creative atmosphere on set and his distinctive vision that left a lasting impression on her.
Throwback Tribute
Sharing a throwback clip from her film 'Red Rose', the actress wrote on social media: "A tribute to Legendary BharathiRaja a great filmmaker, totally self made genius with God given talent in music & creativity." She added, "He introduced many actors into Films. I was lucky to work with him in Red Rose and 'Saverey Wali Gadi' which remains one of my favorite films. His contribution to Cinema is tremendous. May he rest in eternal peace with the Almighty."
Film Collaborations
Directed by Bharathiraja, 'Red Rose' starred Rajesh Khanna and Poonam Dhillon. The film is a remake of the Tamil movie 'Sigappu Rojakkal'. 'Saveray Wali Gaadi', also directed by Bharathiraja, featured Sunny Deol and Poonam Dhillon in lead roles.
Bharathiraja's Passing
Veteran Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away on June 10 following age-related health complications. His funeral was held in Chennai, where members of the South Indian film industry gathered at his residence to pay their final respects. Prominent personalities, including Suriya, Kamal Haasan, and Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, offered condolences to the bereaved family.
Industry Tributes
Several others also expressed their grief on social media. Chiranjeevi shared a heartfelt note on X, celebrating the filmmaker's contribution: "Indian cinema has lost one of its greatest storytellers, #Bharathiraja garu. He transformed the fragrance of village soil, the beauty of human relationships, the innocence of love, and the emotions of ordinary people into timeless cinematic poetry. His films touched millions of hearts and inspired generations of filmmakers."
