This is Part 8 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 7: Sivaji Ganesan.
No Indian film star turned screen popularity into political power as completely as Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, known to millions as MGR. His fans called him "Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary Leader) and "Makkal Thilagam" (Jewel of the People).
Early life
- Born on 17 January 1917 in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), to parents from Kerala.
- After his father's death, his family moved to Kumbakonam, and he joined a drama troupe as a child to support them.
- He made his film debut in Sathi Leelavathi (1936) and worked in small roles for years.
The hero of the masses
- His first lead role was in Rajakumari (1947).
- Manthiri Kumari (1950) and Malaikkallan (1954), a Robin Hood-style story, made him a huge star.
- He produced, directed and starred in Nadodi Mannan (1958), a blockbuster about a commoner who becomes king.
- Other classics include Aayirathil Oruvan (1965), Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Adimai Penn (1969) and Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973).
- His screen hero never drank, smoked or mistreated women. He always fought for the poor, and his songs carried moral messages.
National recognition
For Rickshawkaran (1971), he won the National Film Award for Best Actor (then called the Bharat Award), becoming the first Tamil actor to win it.
From screen to state
- MGR was a leading face of the Dravidian movement and the DMK for many years.
- In 1972, he founded the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, now the AIADMK.
- He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977 and stayed in office until his death, winning three elections in a row.
- His government's Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme (1982) for schoolchildren became a model for the rest of India.
Legacy
MGR died on 24 December 1987. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1988. The MGR Memorial on Chennai's Marina Beach still draws large crowds, and his films are still screened on television and in theatres decades later.
Next in the series: Part 9: N.T. Rama Rao (NTR).
