Tamil Cinema mourns the loss of 2 actors today

Manoj Bharathiraja, the son of acclaimed director-turned-actor Bharathiraja, passed away early this evening due to cardiac arrest.

The 48-year old actor made his acting debut under his father’s direction in the 1999 film Taj Mahal penned by director Maniratnam. He went on to star in films like Samudhiram, Kadal Pookal, Alli Arjuna, Pallavan, Varushamellaam Vassantham, Eera Nilam, Annakodi, Baby and Maanaadu.

He had worked as an assistant director to his father, Bharathiraja as well as to Shankar and Maniratnam. In 2023 he made his debut as a director in the critically acclaimed film, Margazhi Thingal.

Manoj had undergone open-heart surgery a month ago and was unwell for several days.

He is survived by his wife, Nandana, his two daughters – Arthika and Mathivadani – his sister, Janani and his parents, Bharathiraja and Chandraleela/

Another actor who passed away today is Shihan Hussaini, a martial arts expert who made his acting debut in K.Balachaner’s Kamalhaasan-Revathi starrer, Punnagai Mannan. He also starred in Rajinikanth’s Hollywood film, Bloodstone as well as Velaikaaran. His other well known roles include his roles in Vijay’s Badri, Sarathkumar’s Vedan and Karthik’s Unnai Cholli Kuttramillai. The 60-year olf Hussaini had been battling blood cancer for many years