M. G. Ramachandran filmography facts for kids

M. G. Ramachandran in Mohini (1948)

M. G. Ramachandran (born January 17, 1917 – died December 24, 1987) was a famous Indian actor, director, and producer. People often called him "MGR." He worked mostly in Tamil language films. He was a huge star from the 1950s to the early 1970s. Even today, he is still seen as a "matinée idol" (a very popular movie star) in Tamil Nadu.

MGR started his acting journey in 1936. His first film was Sathi Leelavathi, where he played a police inspector. After that, he had many small roles. Some notable ones were in Ashok Kumar (1941) as a general, and as a captain in Meera (1945).

M. G. Ramachandran: A Film Star and Leader

Early Film Career

MGR got his first main role in the 1947 film Rajakumari. This was an exciting adventure film where he played a villager who married a princess. The movie was based on the famous Arabian Nights stories and was very successful.

Becoming an Action Hero

MGR quickly became known as an "action hero" in Tamil cinema. He was like famous Hollywood actors Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks. Films like Manthiri Kumari (1950) and Marmayogi (1951) helped him achieve this. These films also had messages about society and politics. They made MGR seem like a "Robin Hood" figure. This meant he was seen as a champion for poor and struggling people.

His role as a caring brother in En Thangai (1952) was also highly praised. In 1953, he acted in his first Malayalam film, Genova. MGR continued to choose roles where he fought against unfairness. He played an outlaw in Malaikkallan (1954) and a king and a commoner in Nadodi Mannan (1958). Both Malaikkallan and Nadodi Mannan were huge hits. They were the highest-earning films in their release years.

Besides serious social films, MGR also starred in popular fantasy adventure movies. These included Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956), which was the first full-length color film in South India. Other successful fantasy films were Madurai Veeran (1956), Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957), and Mahadhevi (1957).

Films with a Message

In the 1960s, MGR's films started to show more modern stories. He often played a good person from a struggling background. Showing love and care for family was a common theme in his movies. The films he made during this time were very important for his later career in politics.

For example, in the 1963 film Periya Idathu Penn, he played a farmer seeking justice from a rich landlord (a "zamindar"). In Thozhilali (1964), he was a bus conductor who exposed a dishonest bus company. In Padagotti, he played a fisherman who helped solve problems between two fishing groups.

In 1965, he starred in Enga Veettu Pillai, playing twin brothers with very different personalities. One was shy, and the other was brave. The same year, he was in Aayirathil Oruvan. In this film, he played a doctor who joined a rebellion and later led it against a cruel ruler. Both these films were big hits.

He also made a romantic comedy called Anbe Vaa (1966). This film was different from his usual roles, but it was also very popular. He continued to have box-office success with films like Arasa Kattalai and Kaavalkaaran (both 1967). His role as twins in Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968) won him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1969, he played a prince in Adimaippenn who fought against a tyrant. He also played a government clerk in Nam Naadu (1969) who pretended to be rich to defeat corrupt people. Adimaippenn won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film.

Award-Winning Performances

In the 1970s, MGR continued to act in social dramas like Maattukara Velan and Engal Thangam (both 1970). These films were also very successful. In 1971, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as a cycle rickshaw driver in Rickshawkaran. This was a big achievement, as he was the first actor from South Indian cinema to win this award. Rickshawkaran became the highest-earning film of that year.

MGR also directed and produced the action-adventure film Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973). In this movie, he played two brothers: a scientist and a CBI officer. This film became his most successful movie at that time.

From Films to Politics

MGR stopped making films in 1978. He did this to focus on his new role as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. His last film, Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan, was not a big success.

M. G. Ramachandran's Films

• All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.

Unfinished Films