Veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja is known for his classic films, simplistic living style and love for nature. Even though Bharathiraja lived in a house in Neelankarai, Chennai, he was more attached to his farmhouse in the Theni district, where he spent the majority of his time. The veteran filmmaker chose to lead a calm and serene life in the rural setting rather than an urbanized one. His farmhouse provided him with an environment similar to what his movies depicted.
Theni farmhouse served as Bharathiraja’s personal retreat
Bharathiraja’s farmhouse in the Theni district on Ghat Road was where he liked to reside later in life. According to News 18, he reportedly spent a lot of time there enjoying nature and its serenity. It was not unusual for the film director to lead a humble and unostentatious life away from public eyes. The property was also seen in his films, which were inspired by the villagers of Tamil Nadu.
Neelankarai home kept him connected to Chennai
Besides his farmhouse, Bharathiraja had a house on the beachfront at Neelankarai in Chennai, one of the city’s famous coastal areas. This place acted as a city residence for the filmmaker, keeping him connected with the Tamil film industry. But even with a comfortable residence in Chennai, it was common knowledge that he preferred Theni over Chennai.
Farmhouse became a place of farewell for the cinema icon
After Bharathiraja’s demise at the age of 84, his dearly loved farmhouse was once again in the limelight. It became the venue for hundreds of his admirers, politicians, and movie industry people who came to bid him adieu. His funeral too was held there with all honors by the government. This showed how much he had bonded with his native place. Right till the very end, Bharathiraja remained attached to the soil and culture he came from.
