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M.G. Ramachandran

Indian actor and politician

Also known as: MGR, Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran

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Last Updated: Aug 14, 2025 • Article History

M.G. Ramachandran

M.G. Ramachandran Popularly known as MGR, M.G. Ramachandran was an Indian actor, a politician, and the founder of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party.

News • AIADMK leaders criticise Thirumavalavan for his remarks that MGR, Jayalalithaa promoted Brahminism • Aug. 11, 2025, 11:07 PM ET (The Hindu)

M.G. Ramachandran (born January 17, 1917, Nawalapitiya, near Kandy, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]—died December 24, 1987, Madras [now Chennai], Tamil Nadu, India) was an Indian actor and politician who was chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 to 1987, with a brief interregnum from February 17 to June 9, 1980, when Tamil Nadu came under President’s Rule and the central government assumed control of the state. Popularly known as MGR, he was the first actor to become a chief minister in India, followed by N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) in Andhra Pradesh (1983) and Jayalalithaa Jayaram in Tamil Nadu (1991). He is often regarded as one of the greatest actors of India, especially of Tamil cinema, in which he performed in more than 130 movies. His journey from abject poverty to silver screen stardom and eventual political success captured the imagination of millions of people, mainly the working class, across Tamil Nadu, where he is idolized. His trademark attire, featuring a fur cap and dark sunglasses, became a symbol of his persona and is instantly recognizable to this day.

Early life

Ramachandran’s parents were originally from Palakkad in India’s Madras Presidency (now in Kerala) but migrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in search of better prospects. After his father’s death, his mother took him and his brother back to India, where they faced financial hardships.

Quick Facts

In full: Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran

Also called: MGR

Born: January 17, 1917, Nawalapitiya, near Kandy, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]

Ramachandran left school early to support his family and sought opportunities in the thriving drama scene in the Madras Presidency. In the late 1920s he joined the popular theater troupe Madurai Original Boys Company. During the 1930s he ventured from drama to film.

Acting career

Debut and minor roles

Ramachandran made his film acting debut in the movie Sathi Leelavathi (1936; “The Chaste Wife”), portraying a dishonest police officer. Until the late 1940s he appeared in minor and supporting roles, mostly in mythological movies. He starred in several Tamil movies directed by Ellis R. Dungan, an American filmmaker renowned in India for his contributions to Tamil cinema.

Breakthrough

Ramachandran’s breakthrough came in A.S.A. Samy’s hit movie Rajakumari (1947; “The Princess”), in which he portrayed a young prince rescuing a princess in distress. Muthuvel Karunanidhi, who had begun his career as a scriptwriter for Tamil cinema, penned the dialogue for the movie. Later Karunanidhi transitioned to politics and became a prominent leader of the Dravidian movement, which called for ending caste-based discrimination in Tamil Nadu and promoted the equality of all castes. It promoted Tamil cultural identity and emphasized the use of the Tamil language while opposing the imposition of Hindi.

Ramachandran took the lead role in such films as Manthiri Kumari (1950; “The Minister’s Daughter”), Sarvadhikari (1951; “The Dictator”), Marmayogi (1951; “The Mysterious Sage”), based on William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, and Malaikallan (1954; “The Mountain Thief”). Many of Ramachandran’s movies cast him as a leader of the masses, fighting for the oppressed against corrupt authorities.

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