Edida Sriram Pays Tribute to Bharathiraja
Renowned filmmaker Bharathiraja, who revolutionized Tamil cinema with his deep-rooted storytelling and realistic rural dramas, passed away today, leaving the Indian film industry in mourning. Paying tribute to the legendary director, actor-producer Edida Sriram fondly recalled her family’s long association with the filmmaker and hailed Seethokoka Chilaka, released in 1981, as a trend-setting landmark in cinema.
“My father, veteran producer Edida Nageswara Rao, shared a wonderful relationship with Bharathiraja garu for many years,” said Sriram. “After the phenomenal success of Sankarabharanam, my father wanted to try something completely different. He was impressed by the youthful love story told by Bharathiraja and decided to shoot it.”
Sriram pointed out that Seethokoka Chilaka was one of the first bilingual productions to be made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. “While Karthik was retained as the hero of both the versions, Aruna, Sarath Babu, Sriram, Ali and others played important roles. The film proved to be a turning point in the careers of many artists associated with it,” he said.
He also highlighted the contribution of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja. “For the Telugu version, Ilaiyaraaja composed three special songs. The soundtrack became immensely popular and helped the film emerge as a musical blockbuster in the Telugu states. It also strengthened Ilaiyaraaja’s foothold in Tollywood, where he continues to score many memorable films,” said Sriram.
According to him, Edida Nageswara Rao was willing to collaborate with Bharathiraja again after the huge success of Seethokoka Chilaka. “They discussed many ideas over the years, but none developed into a project. They remained close friends, however, and remained in regular contact until my father’s death,” he recalled.
Describing Seethokoka Chilaka as an evergreen love story, Sriram said, “The climax of the film, where the young lovers walk hand in hand after crossing religious barriers, remains one of the most powerful and unforgettable moments in Telugu cinema. This has transformed the film into a truly epic love story.”
Meanwhile, Telugu Film Directors Association president and veteran filmmaker VN Aditya remembered Bharathiraja as one of the most influential storytellers of Indian cinema.
“Bharathiraja’s distinctive style of filmmaking is unique. He was a trendsetter in the truest sense of the word,” Aditya said. “Many directors have come and gone, but he has carved out a unique identity with his rural-centric narratives, realistic themes and deeply humane characters.”
Aditya noted that although Bharathiraja was closely tied to Tamil culture, his work transcended linguistic boundaries. “He won admiration not only in Tamil cinema but also among Telugu and Hindi audiences. Films like Chiranjeevi-starrer Aradhana showcased his ability to blend commercial appeal with artistic sensibilities,” he observed.
“Bharathiraja inspired an entire generation of filmmakers. His influence can be seen in the work of many directors who followed his path of realistic storytelling. Indian cinema has lost a visionary, but his legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers for generations,” Aditya concluded.
