The Tamil Film Active Producers Association condemned the media coverage of filmmaker and actor Manoj Bharathi’s funeral, calling it “callous” and “cruel”. Manoj (48), veteran director Bharathiraja’s son, passed away on March 25 while recuperating from heart surgery. The association has also recommended that media personnel be banned from funerals.
In a statement released on March 27, the association said, “What is the need to show someone’s grief and tears in such detail? Does a person’s sorrow only have to be viewed as a means of making money? How cruel and callous an attitude is it to think that a person’s grief is a means of getting more views? It is saddening that it has come to a point where a person’s sorrow and loss are celebrated.”
The statement further asked, “What is the need to get footage from inside vehicles and of the body that has been laid out for people to pay their respects? What joy can you get from competing with each other to televise the faces of those mourning?”
“In the coming days, we must not allow media personnel to cover funerals. Those who want to pay their respects may attend the funeral, but without their cameras,” the statement added.
This is not the first time that a representative body from the Tamil film industry has been forced to release such a statement. In 2023, the South Indian Artistes Association (better known as the Nadigar Sangam) also released a statement condemning the media frenzy at the funeral of actor and music composer Vijay Antony’s 16-year-old daughter who died by suicide.
Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch (TNCRW) objected to the publication of the child’s photo by several media houses. Tamil channels even telecast events live from inside Vijay Antony’s home during the funeral and went as far as speculating the reasons for the child’s suicide.
At the time, following public anger, the digital media organisation Behindwoods announced that it would “no longer cover the homes or funeral ceremonies of public personalities who have passed away”.
