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{{short description|Indian filmmaker (1946–1998)}}
{{otheruses}}
{{multiple issues|
{{original research|date=July 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2014}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bharathan
| image = Bharathan (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1946|11|14}}
| birth_place = [[Wadakkancherry]], [[Kingdom of Cochin]], [[British India]]<br>(present day [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1998|07|30|1946|11|14|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|Art director|Sculptor|Poster designer|Film director|Lyricist|Music composer|Editor}}
| years_active = 1973{{ndash}}1998
| spouse = [[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]]
| children = 2 (incl. [[Sidharth Bharathan|Sidharth]])
| relatives = [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]] (uncle)
| awards =
}}

'''Bharathan Parameshwara Menon Palissery ''' (14 November 1946 – 30 July 1998), known mononymously as '''Bharathan''', was an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[film maker]], [[artist]], and [[art director]]. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in [[Malayalam cinema]], along with [[Padmarajan]] and [[K. G. George]], in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed. A train of directors, and screenwriters followed this school onto the 1990s including [[Sibi Malayil]], [[Kamaluddin Mohammed|Kamal]], [[Lohithadas]] and [[Jayaraj]].

==Early life==
He was born at [[Enkakkad]] near [[Wadakkancherry]], in present-day [[Thrissur district]] of [[Kerala]], India to Parameshwara Menon Palissery and Karthiyayini Amma

==Career==
===Art direction===
After completing his diploma from the [[College of Fine Arts, Thrissur]], Bharathan entered films as an art director through the Malayalam film ''Gandharavakshetram'' (1972), directed by [[A. Vincent]], which also happened to be one of the first films where actor [[Thilakan]] played a noticeable role. He was inspired by his uncle [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]], an established director. After working as an art director and assistant director in a few films, he made his directorial debut in 1975 with ''[[Prayanam (1975 film)|Prayanam]]'', which was based on [[Padmarajan]]'s script. It also marked the rise of two early proponents of middle-stream Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/bharathan.html |title=Bharathan |work=Cinema of Malayalam |access-date=2011-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525204859/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/bharathan.html |archive-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

===Film direction===
Bharathan directed over 40 films in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. Starting his career in 1975 with [[Prayanam (1975 film)|Prayanam]], Bharathan rode to fame with his off-beat [[Thakara]], a film about a dumb-witted central character who falls in love with the village beauty. Some of his other memorable films include ''[[Rathinirvedam (1978 film)|Rathinirvedam]]'', ''Chamaram'', ''Paalangal'', ''[[Amaram]]'', and ''[[Vaishali (film)|Vaishali]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980731/21250254.html |title=Noted Malayalam film director Bharathan dead |work=The Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626022836/http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980731/21250254.html |archive-date=26 June 2009|date=31 July 1998}}</ref>

His association with [[Padmarajan]] led to films including ''Rathi Nirvedam'' and ''Thakara''. ''[[Rathinirvedam (1978 film)|Rathi Nirvedam]]'' was a treatment of teenage sexual angst. In ''Thakara'', he deals with the life and longings of an intellectually disabled youth and his association with society.

In the early 1980s, he made several notable movies like ''[[Chamaram]]'', ''[[Marmaram]]'', ''Paalangal'', ''[[Ormakkayi]]'', ''[[Kattathe Kilikkoodu]]'', ''[[Kathodu Kathoram]]'', and many more. They did well in theatres and set the trend for meaningful mainstream cinema. Other noted directors followed suit. It was the romantic era of Malayalam cinema.

Not all of Bharathan's films skirted with bold themes and controversy. In ''Oru Minnaaminunginte Nurunguvettam'' (1987), he tells the poignant story of a childless couple in their post-retirement life. It deals with the isolation and loneliness that come with old age. The film was a departure from Bharathan's usual style and proved to be a major commercial hit while garnering critical acclaim, too.
[[File:Lohitadas and Bharathan.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Screenwriter [[Lohithadas]], director Bharathan and cinematographer [[Ramachandra Babu]] at the location of ''Venkalam''.]]
His ''Vaisali'' (1988) is widely regarded as a modern-day masterpiece in Malayalam cinema. Scripted by the iconic Malayalam novelist [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]], it was an adaptation of a sub-story told in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. Another movie born from their association was ''[[Thazhvaram]]''. The subject was revenge, a theme quite uncharacteristic of Bharathan movies. The style was inspired by classic Westerns with a brooding, reticent central character and expansive shots of barren landscape. Another movie was [[Amaram]], which was written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]] and starred Mammootty, which was a milestone movie of the Malayalam movie of the 1990s.

Even though he was not known to cater to the star-centric system, Bharathan was instrumental in bringing together the two screen icons of Tamil cinema [[Sivaji Ganesan]] and [[Kamal Haasan]] in the Tamil film [[Thevar Magan]], written by Kamal Haasan, which won critical acclaim and became an Industry Hit in Tamil cinema. Sivaji gave an uncharacteristically restrained yet brilliant performance. The movie won several National Awards and was remade into many regional languages (most notably ''[[Virasat (1997 film)|Virasat]]'' in Hindi).

His more experimental films include ''Aaravam'', more an arthouse than a commercial venture, and ''Nidra'', about the plight of a woman who is in love with a mentally deranged man. His film ''Nidra'' was remade by his son, film director Sidharth Bharathan. ''Rathinirvedam'', originally directed by Bharathan, which was a noted film, was also remade by another famous director, T. K. Rajeev Kumar, with Swetha Menon in the lead.

Apart from film direction, he also wrote lyrics and tuned songs for his films. (e.g., lyrics for "Thaaram Valkannadi Nokki" in ''Keli'' and "Tharum Thalirum Mizhipootti" in ''Chilambu'' or title song for ''Kathodu Kathoram''). He collaborated with writer [[P. R. Nathan]] in ''Keli''.

==Filmmaking style==
{{original research section|date=November 2021}}
Bharathan's films were known for their realistic portrayal of rural life in Kerala. Melodrama and escapism, often integral parts of mainstream cinema in India, were usually absent in his films. He also managed to steer clear of the "star-centric" culture prevalent in Indian cinema throughout his career. His later films did involve major movie stars, but usually without compromising on plot or narrative. Bharathan, along with [[Padmarajan]] and [[K. G. George]], were largely responsible for introducing a counterculture of meaningful mainstream cinema, which often tread the middle path between arthouse and commercial cinema. This movement was often called the "middle of the road cinema<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-26 |title=John Paul was an important voice of middle-of-the-road Malayalam cinema in the 1980s |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-storyteller-5-john-paul-film-industry-malyalam-director-7887291/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>." Bharathan's films were known for their visually appealing shot compositions. His background as a painter enabled him to create frames that were often credited for their visual beauty. Natural props and nature itself often became important characters in his films (like the railway track in ''Palangal'' or the sea in ''[[Amaram]]''). Bharathan is one of the few Indian directors known to use an elaborate storyboard system for filming. He also often designed the posters for his films.

Several of his early films were known for their bold portrayal of sexual themes. His films often defied social conventions and norms about man-woman relationships. ''[[Rathinirvedam (1978 film)|Rathinirvedam]]'' was the sexual-coming-of-age story of the relationship between a teenager and an older woman, while ''[[Chamaram]]'' dealt with the tumultuous affair between a student and his college lecturer. In ''[[Kattathe Kilikkoodu]]'', an elderly, married professor falls for his student. ''[[Kathodu Kathoram|Kaathodu Kaathoram]]'' was about the social ostracism of a woman who has an adulterous relationship.

The latter half of Bharathan's career saw a distinct change in filmmaking style characterised by a wider canvas, more attention to detail, and a more distinct focus on narrative style (e.g., ''[[Vaishali (film)|Vaishali]]'', ''[[Amaram]]'', ''[[Thaazhvaaram]]'', and ''[[Thevar Magan]]''). Some critics argue that this quest for technical excellence was at the expense of the quality of thematic content. Films like ''[[Vaishali (film)|Vaishali]]'' and ''Amaram'' (where he collaborated with acclaimed cinematographer Madhu Ambat) set a new benchmark for cinematographic excellence in [[Malayalam Cinema|Malayalam]] and Indian Cinema. ''[[Thaazhvaaram]]'' was stylistically inspired by classic Hollywood Westerns, though the theme and backdrop were distinctly original.

His last few films (''[[Devaraagam]]'', ''Churam'' and ''Priyuralu'') were received moderately by critics.

==Death==
Bharatan died at a private hospital in [[Chennai]] on 30 July 1998 at the age of 52 following prolonged illness. His last film was ''Churam'', which released a year before his death. His mortal remains were brought back to his ancestral home at [[Wadakkancherry]] and cremated with full state honours.

==Personal life==

Bharathan was married to theatre and film actress [[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]] with whom he associated in a lot of films before and after marriage.<ref name="TH">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/11/26/stories/2010112651100400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108143954/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/11/26/stories/2010112651100400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2012|title=Emotional reunion|access-date=26 November 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India|date=17 June 2011}}</ref> They had two children - Sreekutty, a former child actress, and [[Sidharth Bharathan]], a film actor and director.

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Film
! scope="col" style="width: 10em;" | Year
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Director
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Writer
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Art-director
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Composer
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | Editor
! scope="col" style="width: 10em;" | Notes
! scope="col" style="width: 1em;" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 1972
! scope="row" | ''[[Chembarathi]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1972
! scope="row" | ''Gandharvakshethram''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1973
! scope="row" | ''[[Chenda (film)|Chenda]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1973
! scope="row" | ''[[Dharmayudham]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1973
! scope="row" | ''[[Ponnaapuram Kotta]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1973
! scope="row" | ''[[Enippadikal (film)|Enippadikal]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1973
! scope="row" | ''[[Maadhavikkutty]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1974
! scope="row" | ''[[Rajahamsam]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1974
! scope="row" | ''[[Chakravaakam]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1974
! scope="row" | ''[[Neelakkannukal]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1974
! scope="row" | ''[[Mucheettukalikkaarante Makal]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1975
! scope="row" | ''[[Prayanam (1975 film)|Prayanam]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1976
! scope="row" | ''[[Surveykkallu]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1976
! scope="row" | ''[[Ponni (1976 film)|Ponni]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1976
! scope="row" | ''Yudhakaandam''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1977
! scope="row" | ''[[Guruvayur Kesavan (film)|Guruvayur Kesavan]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1978
! scope="row" | ''[[Rathinirvedam (1978 film)|Rathinirvedam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1978
! scope="row" | ''[[Aniyara]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1978
! scope="row" | ''[[Njaan Njaan Maathram]]''
| || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1978
! scope="row" | ''[[Aaravam]]''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1979
! scope="row" | ''[[Thakara]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1980
! scope="row" | ''[[Lorry (film)|Lorry]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1980
! scope="row" | ''[[Savithiri (1980 film)|Savithiri]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || Tamil film ||
|-
| 1980
! scope="row" | ''[[Chamaram]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1981
! scope="row" | ''[[Nidra (1981 film)|Nidra]]''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1981
! scope="row" | ''Palangal''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1981
! scope="row" | ''[[Parankimala (1981 film)|Parankimala]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1981
! scope="row" | ''[[Chaatta (film)|Chatta]]''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1981
! scope="row" | ''Parvathy''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1982
! scope="row" | ''[[Marmaram]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1982
! scope="row" | ''[[Ormakkayi]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1983
! scope="row" | ''[[Eenam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || {{yes}} || || ||
|-
| 1983
! scope="row" | ''[[Sandhya Mayangum Neram]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1983
! scope="row" | ''[[Kattathe Kilikkoodu]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1984
! scope="row" | ''[[Ente Upasana]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
|-
| 1985
! scope="row" | ''[[Kathodu Kathoram]]''
| {{yes}} || || || {{yes}} || || ||
|-
| 1984
! scope="row" | ''[[Ithiripoove Chuvannapoove]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1985
! scope="row" | ''[[Ozhivukaalam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1985
! scope="row" | ''Oonjalaadum Uravugal''
| {{yes}} || || || || || Tamil film ||
|-
| 1986
! scope="row" | ''[[Chilambu]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1986
! scope="row" | ''[[Pranamam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || Also lyricist ||
|-
| 1987
! scope="row" | ''[[Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || ||
|-
| 1987
! scope="row" | ''[[Neela Kurinji Poothappol]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1988
! scope="row" | ''[[Vaisali (film)|Vaisali]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || {{yes}} || ||
|-
| 1989
! scope="row" | ''[[Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || ||
|-
| 1990
! scope="row" | ''[[Thazhvaram]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || ||
|-
| 1990
! scope="row" | ''[[Malootty]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || ||
|-
| 1991
! scope="row" | ''[[Amaram]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1991
! scope="row" | ''[[Keli (film)|Keli]]''
| {{yes}} ||{{yes}}|| || {{yes}} || || ||
|-
| 1992
! scope="row" | ''[[Aavarampoo]]''
| {{yes}} || || {{yes}} || || || Tamil film ||
|-
| 1992
! scope="row" | ''[[Thevar Magan]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || Tamil film ||
|-
| 1993
! scope="row" | ''[[Venkalam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1993
! scope="row" | ''[[Chamayam (1993 film)|Chamayam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1993
! scope="row" | ''[[Padheyam]]''
| {{yes}} || || || || || ||
|-
| 1996
! scope="row" | ''[[Devaraagam]]''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || || ||
|-
| 1997
! scope="row" | ''Churam''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || || ||
|-
| 1998
! scope="row" | ''Priyuralu''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || || || || Telugu film; dubbed in Malayalam as ''Manjeeradhwani'' ||
|-
|}

==Awards==
===National Film Awards===
* 1992: [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] {{endash}} ''[[Thevar Magan]]''

===Filmfare Awards South===
* 1979: [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam]] ''[[Thakara]]''
* 1980: [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam]] ''[[Chamaram]]''
* 1984: [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam]] ''[[Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove]]''

===Kerala State Film Awards===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Category !! Film(s)
|-
|1975||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''[[Prayanam (1975 film)|Prayanam]]''
|-
|1979||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''[[Thakara]]''
|-
|1980||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''[[Chamaram]]''
|-
|1980||[[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]]||''[[Chamaram]]''
|-
|1981||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''Chatta''
|-
|1982||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]]||''[[Marmaram]]''
|-
|1982||[[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]]||''[[Ormakkayi]]''
|-
|1982||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]||''[[Marmaram]]'',<br />''[[Ormakkayi]]''
|-
|1982||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''[[Ormakkayi]]''
|-
|1984||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]||''[[Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove]]''
|-
|1987||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film|Best Popular Film]]||''[[Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam]]''
|-
|1992||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film|Best Popular Film]]||''[[Venkalam]]''
|}

==In popular culture==
[[K. B. Venu|KB Venu]] portrayed Bharathan in 2025 Malayalam movie [[Rekhachithram]] directed by Jofin T Chacko

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bharathan}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0080245}}
*[[:ml:ഭരതന്‍ (ചലച്ചിത്ര സംവിധായകന്‍)]]
* [http://sv1.mathrubhumi.com/specials/bharathan/ Festschrift by ''Mathrubhumi'']
*{{cite web|url=http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/bharathan.html |title=Bharathan |access-date=2010-06-13 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214115454/http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/bharathan.html |archive-date=14 February 2012}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110525204859/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/bharathan.html cinemaofmalayalam.net: Profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140412153224/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/malayalamcinemamore.htm prd.kerala.gov.in: Malayalam Cinema Introduction]

{{Filmfare Award Best Malayalam Director}}
{{Kerala State Film Award for Best Director}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bharathan}}
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:Film directors from Thrissur]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Film people from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian art directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian designers]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]
[[Category:Film musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Male actors from Thrissur]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Artists from Kerala]]

Bharathan - Revision history

Cdpnkr at 09:33, 21 December 2025