Veteran Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja, widely revered as Iyakkunar Imayam (the peak of directors), passed away aged 84 at his Chennai residence on Wednesday. He had been battling age-related health issues for some time. He made directorial debut with 1977 film '16 Vayathinile', starring Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi. He also acted in several films like 'Aayitha Ezhuthu' and 'Pandiya Naadu'.