Manoj Bharathiraja (September 11, 1976 – March 25, 2025) was an Indian actor and film director known for his contributions to Tamil cinema. He was the son of esteemed director Bharathiraja. Manoj began his acting career with the film Taj Mahal in 1999.
His notable works include Samudhiram (2001), Kadal Pookkal (2001), Alli Arjuna (2002), Varushamellam Vasantham (2002), Eera Nilam (2003), Annakodi (2013), Baby (2015), Maanaadu (2021), and Viruman (2022).
In 2023, Manoj made his directorial debut with Margazhi Thingal, a romantic drama featuring his father Bharathiraja, director Suseenthiran, Shyam Selvan, and Rakshana. The film was released on October 27, 2023.
On March 25, 2025, Manoj suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Chennai and passed away at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife, Ashwathi (also known as Nandana), and their two daughters, Arshitha and Mathivathani.
Following his untimely demise, numerous celebrities, including Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Suriya, Karthi, and others, paid their respects and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
For those interested in exploring Manoj Bharathiraja’s cinematic contributions, several of his films are available for streaming on various platforms.