Bharathiraja's filmmaking is defined by several signature elements that set him apart:
| Year | Movie | Notable Cast | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Eazhaiyin Sirippil | Parthiban, Abbas | A unique multi-starrer. | | 2001 | Kadal Pookkal | Kunal, Laila | A coming-of-age love story. | | 2003 | Eera Nilam | Karthik Kumar, Navya Nair | Received Tamil Nadu State Award. | | 2004 | Kangalal Kaidhu Sei | Prashanth, Vyjayanthimala (cameo) | A vigilante thriller. | | 2008 | Pazhani | Bharath, Kajal Aggarwal | Mass commercial film with his son. | | 2010 | Naan Kadavul | Arya, Pooja Umashankar | A cult classic. About Aghoris. Dark & powerful. | | 2011 | Pudhumugangal Thevai | Sarath Kumar, Raai Laxmi | Experimental anthology of three stories. | | 2013 | Annakodi | M. Sasikumar, Mahima Nambiar | A period drama set in colonial times. | bharathiraja movies
(1994) addressed grave social issues like female infanticide, earning him significant critical acclaim and National Awards. | | 2004 | Kangalal Kaidhu Sei |
(1987) serve as commentaries on caste hierarchy and the "subliminal presence" of social divides in human interactions. About Aghoris