M. G. Ramachandran

M. G. Ramachandran - known as M. G. R. - was the biggest star of Tamil cinema. But also, he was an important politician, ruling Tamil Nadu as its chief minister for 11 years. Starting as a stage actor in his childhood, he made his screen debut in 1936 with Sati Leelavathi. But M. G. R. had to go a long way, until he finally had his first hit Rajakumari.

In his films M. G. R. represents the lower class. As a the honest hero fighting corruption and injustice and rejecting alcohol and tobacco he became an idol for the lower class people of Tamil Nadu. He appeared in the first Tamil color movie Alibabavum Narpatha Thirudargalum. He had joined the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), one of Tamil Nadu's most important political parties, in 1953 and started to represent it in his movies. In 1962 he started his political career in the DMK, supported by its leader C. W. Annadurai. In 1967 he was shot at when delivering a speech, but survived. When Annadurai died and Karunanidhi took over the lead of the DMK, a process of alienation between M. G. R. and the DMK began. Finally M. G. R. founded the ADMK, which was later renamed AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). In 1977 the AIADMK won the state elections and M. G. R. became Tamil Nadu's chief minister. He was reelected thrice and remained chief minister until his death in 1987.

While for some people M. G. R. was a god - others strongly critisized his way of running the country, claiming that he poor, who by their vote enabled him to rule Tamil Nadu, would not at all benefit from his rule. A similar case of a screen hero turning into a state's political leader is Andhra Pradesh's former chief minister N. T. Rama Rao.

In his movie Iruvar the Tamil director Mani Ratnam tells the story of a film star entering politics. The plot of Iruvar is strongly influenced by M. G. R.'s biography.

Filmography

As Actor/Actress

1. Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga, 1977
2. Maduraiyai Meeta Sundara Pandian, 1977
3. Meenaya Nanban, 1977
4. Navaratnam, 1977
5. Needhikku Thalai Vanangu, 1976
6. Oorukku Uzhaippavan, 1976
7. Uzhaikum Karangal, 1976
8. Idayakkani, 1975
9. Nalai Namadhe, 1975
10. Ninaithatai Mudippavan, 1975
11. Pallandu Vazhga, 1975
12. Netru Indru Nalai, 1974
13. Siritu Vazha Vendum, 1974
14. Urimai Kural, 1974
15. Pattikattu Ponnayya, 1973
16. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, 1973
17. Annamitta Kai, 1972
18. Idaya Veenai, 1972
19. Naan En Pirandein, 1972
20. Nalla Neram, 1972
21. Raman Thediya Seetai, 1972
22. Sangey Muzhangu, 1972
23. Kumari Kottam, 1971
24. Neerum Neruppum, 1971
25. Oru Thai Makkal, 1971
26. Rickshawkaran, 1971
27. En Annan, 1970
28. Engal Thangam, 1970
29. Koi Ghulam Nahin, 1970
30. Thalaivan, 1970
31. Thedi Vantha Mappillai, 1970
32. Adimai Penn, 1969
33. Mattukkara Velan, 1969
34. Naam Naadu, 1969
35. Kanavan, 1968
36. Kannan En Kathalan, 1968
37. Kathal Vaghanam, 1968
38. Kudiruntha Koil, 1968
39. Oli Vilakku, 1968
40. Pudhiya Bhoomi, 1968
41. Rahasiya Police 115, 1968
42. There Thiruvizha, 1968
43. Arasa Kattalai, 1967
44. Kavalkaran, 1967
45. Thaikku Thalaimagan, 1967
46. Vivasayi, 1967
47. Anbe Vaa, 1966
48. Chandrodyam, 1966
49. Mugarasi, 1966
50. Naan Anaittal, 1966
51. Nadodi, 1966
52. Parakkum Pavai, 1966
53. Petral Tan Pillaiah, 1966
54. Thali Bhagyam, 1966
55. Thanipiravi, 1966
56. Ayirathil Oruvan, 1965
57. Enga Veetu Pillai, 1965
58. Kalankari Vilakkam, 1965
59. Kannithai, 1965
60. Panam Padaithavan, 1965
61. Thazampoo, 1965
62. Daivathai, 1964
63. En Kadamai, 1964
64. Padakotti, 1964
65. Panakara Kudumbam, 1964
66. Thayin Madiyil, 1964
67. Tozhilali, 1964
68. Vettaikaran, 1964
69. Ananda Jyoti, 1963
70. Dharmam Thalai Kakum, 1963
71. Kalai Arasi, 1963
72. Kanchi Thalaivan, 1963
73. Koduthu Vaithaval, 1963
74. Needhikkupin Pasam, 1963
75. Panathottam, 1963
76. Parisu, 1963
77. Periya Idathu Penn, 1963
78. Kudumba Thalaivan, 1962
79. Madappura, 1962
80. Meri Behen, 1962
81. Pasam, 1962
82. Rani Samyukta, 1962
83. Thayai Katha Thanayan, 1962
84. Vikramadithan, 1962
85. Arasilankumari, 1961
86. Baghdad, 1961
87. Nallavan Vazhvan, 1961
88. Shabash Mappillai, 1961
89. Thayi Sollai Thatthathe, 1961
90. Thirudathe, 1961
91. Baghdad Thirudan, 1960
92. Mannathi Mannan, 1960
93. Raja Desingu, 1960
94. Thayi Magalukku Kattiya Thali, 1959
95. Nadodi Mannan, 1958
96. Chakravarthi Thirumangal, 1957
97. Maha Devi, 1957
98. Pudhumai Pithan, 1957
99. Alibabavum Narpatha Thirudargalum, 1956
100. Madurai Veeran, 1956
101. Thaikku Pinn Tharam, 1956
102. Gul-E-Bakavali, 1955
103. Kundukkili, 1954
104. Malaikallan, 1954
105. Genova, 1953
106. Naam, 1953
107. Panakkari, 1953
108. Andaman Kaithi, 1952
109. En Thangai, 1952
110. Kumari, 1952
111. Ek Tha Raja, 1951
112. Marmayogi, 1951
113. Sarvadhikari, 1951
114. Manthri Kumari, 1950
115. Maruthanattu Ilavarasi, 1950
116. Ratnakumar, 1949
117. Abhimanyu, 1948
118. Mohini, 1948
119. Raja Mukti, 1948
120. Paithiakaran, 1947
121. Rajakumari, 1947
122. Shri Murugan, 1946
123. Meera, 1945
124. Salivahanan, 1944
125. Harichandra, 1943
126. Thamizhariyum Perumal, 1942
127. Thasippen, 1942
128. Ashok Kumar, 1941
129. Vedavathi, 1941
130. Maya Machhindra, 1939
131. Prahlada, 1939
132. Dakshayagnam, 1938
133. Veer Jagdish, 1938
134. Iru Sahodarargal, 1936
135. Sati Leelavathi, 1936

As Director

1. Maduraiyai Meeta Sundara Pandian, 1977
2. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, 1973
3. Hamen Bhi Jeene Do, 1962
4. Nadodi Mannan, 1958