‘Bhagyaraj’s mourning turned into a circus’: Radikaa Sarathkumar criticises media, calls for action

Veteran actor Radikaa Sarathkumar, who has been mourning the passing of her close friend and acclaimed actor-writer-director Bhagyaraj, has criticised the media for “turning the mourning into a circus.” This comes after many visuals showed the actor visibly annoyed to see media personnel invade the premises of the late Bhagyaraj, where his mortal remains were kept.

In a statement posted on her X handle, Radikaa bid an emotional goodbye to Bhagyaraj, after which she hit out at the media, stating, “A place where all needed to digress and mourn in silence, turned into a circus, for all who came to pay their respects. Where and when do we change or rather changed to this callousness.”

She further appealed to the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Film Producers Council, the Nadigar Sangam, FEFSI, and the Press Council of India to take necessary steps to prevent such invasion of privacy and to establish protocols. “The government and industry need to sit and chart protocols and collective management, and give all dignity to the departed soul,” wrote Radikaa.

In yet another tweet, Radikaa called for a restraining order at funeral venues.

This comes after several visuals showed an annoyed Radikaa pleading with the media personnel to refrain from invading the privacy of the family and friends mourning the loss. “If TRP is what you care about, we will act in films and ensure you get it. But please give us some privacy,” she said. Another video shared on social media platforms showed Radikaa mobbed by a crowd of onlookers and photographers.

Over the last few years, there have been countless instances where media personnel — eager to shoot visuals of celebrity guests paying their tribute to the departed — mob the premises and invade the privacy of the mourning family.

Bhagyaraj, a renowned actor, writer, director, and storywriter, passed away on Saturday (June 27, 2026). He was 73. Sources said he had suffered a massive heart attack.

Notably, Radikaa and Bhagyaraj had collaborated on multiple projects. Bhagyaraj worked as an assistant director in Radikaa’s acclaimed debut, Kizhakke Pogum Rail. He then wrote the story of Niram Maratha Pookkal and Ilamai Kolam, both starring Radikaa. The late writer then penned the story and screenplay of Bhama Rukmani, in which he also acted in the lead opposite Radikaa. The two also shared the screen in R Sankaran’s Kumari Pennin Ullathile, Indru Poi Naalai Vaa (also written and directed by Bhagyaraj), Poi Satchi (also written and directed by Bhagyaraj), and Dhavani Kanavugal (also written and directed by Bhagyaraj).