M. G. Ramachandran
Biography
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran, also known by the initialism MGR, was born on January 17, 1917, in Kandy, British Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka. He was a male Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for three successive terms from 1977 to 1987. Recognized as a cultural icon and a pioneering force in the popularity of Tamil cinema, Ramachandran is regarded as one of the most influential actors in the industry, holding 135 known credits in acting on The Movie Database. In addition to his cinematic career, he became politically active in the late 1930s with the Indian National Congress, joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1953, and later founded the Aiadmk party in 1972. Ramachandran died on December 24, 1987, at the age of seventy.
Career overview
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran, known by the initialism MGR, was an Indian film actor, director, and producer who is recognized as one of the most influential actors of Tamil cinema. He is regarded as a pioneering force in the popularity of cinema in Tamil Nadu and is renowned as a cultural icon in the region. His professional work in the entertainment industry encompassed 135 known acting credits according to archival data. Born in Kandy, British Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka, on January 17, 1917, his career spanned notable contributions to the screen before his passing on December 24, 1987, at the age of seventy.
Alongside his prominent career in the film industry as an actor, director, and producer, Ramachandran was also a politician. He became part of the Indian National Congress in the late 1930s and later joined the C. N. Annadurai-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, or DMK, in 1953. He was politically engaged and served in the Tamil parliament for his party during the 1960s. In 1972, he founded the AIADMK party. Transitioning his public prominence into a sustained political career, Ramachandran served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms, holding the position from 1977 to 1987.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about M. G. Ramachandran.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
141 titles- Avasara Police 100 (1990) as Raju (in archival footage)
- Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan (1978) as Paintamizh 'Sundharapandiyan' Kumaran
- Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan (1978) Director
- Navarathinam (1977) as Thangam
- Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga (1977) as Murugan
- Meenava Nanban (1977) as Kumaran
- Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977)
- Needhikku Thalaivanangu (1976)
- Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976)
- Anna Nee En Deivam (1976)
- Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976)
- Naalai Namadhe (1975)
- Pallandu Vazhga (1975)
- Idhayakkani (1975) as 'Red' Mohan
- Ninaithadhai Mudippavan (1975) as Sundaram / Ranjith
- Urimai Kural (1974) as Gobinath
- Sirithu Vazha Vendum (1974)
- Netru Indru Naalai (1974) as Manickam (the East Africa doctor) and Kumar
- Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973)
- Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973) Director
- Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973) Producer
- Pattikattu Ponnaiya (1973)
- Raman Thediya Seethai (1972)
- Naan Yen Pirandhen (1972) as Kannan
- Sange Muzhangu (1972) as Murugan
- Annamitta Kai (1972)
- Nalla Neram (1972)
- Idhaya Veenai (1972)
- Rickshawkaran (1971) as Selvam
- Neerum Neruppum (1971)
- Oru Thaai Makkal (1971)
- Kumarikkottam (1971)
- Mattukara Velan (1970)
- Thedi Vandha Mappillai (1970)
- En Annan (1970) as Ranga
- Engal Thangam (1970)
- Thalaivan (1970)
- Nam Naadu (1969)
- Adimai Penn (1969) as King Vengaiyan / Prince Vengaiyan
- Adimai Penn (1969) Producer
- Nam Naadu (1969) as Durai
- Ragasiya Police 115 (1968) as Ramu
- Oli Vilakku (1968)
- Kadhal Vaaganam (1968) as Sundharam
- Pudhiya Boomi (1968)
- Thaer Thiruvizha (1968)
- Kannan En Kadhalan (1968)
- Kanavan (1968)
- Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)
- Kaavalkaaran (1967) as 'Mani' Manickam
- Vivasaayi (1967)
- Arasa Kattalai (1967) as Vijayan
- Thaaiku Thalaimagan (1967)
- Naan Aanaiyittal (1966)
- Nadodi (1966)
- Parakkum Paavai (1966) as Jeeva
- Petralthan Pillaya (1966)
- Mugaraasi (1966)
- Thanippiravi (1966) as Muthaiya
- Chandhrodhayam (1966) as Chandran
- Anbe Vaa (1966) as JB
- Thaali Bhagyam (1966) as Murugan
- Aasai Mugam (1965)
- Aayirathil Oruvan (1965) as Manimaran
- Kanni Thaai (1965)
- Enga Veettu Pillai (1965) as Ramu / 'Ilango' Lakshmanan
- Lighthouse (1965)
- Panam Padaithavan (1965)
- Thazhampoo (1965)
- Panakkara Kudumbam (1964) as Nalla Thambi
- En Kadamai (1964)
- Vettaikaaran (1964)
- Thaayin Madiyil (1964)
- Thozhilali (1964) as Raju
- Padagotti (1964)
- Dheiva Thaai (1964) as Maran
- Periya Idathu Pen (1963) as Azhagappan / Murugappan
- Anandha Jodhi (1963)
- Parisu (1963)
- Kaanji Thalaivan (1963)
- Koduthu Vaithaval (1963)
- Panathottam (1963)
- Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum (1963)
- Needhikkupin Paasam (1963)
- Kalai Arasi (1963)
- Thaayai Kaatha Thanayan (1962)
- Kudumba Thalaivan (1962) as Vasu
- Maadappura (1962)
- Rani Samyuktha (1962) as Prithviraj Chauhan
- Vikramaadhithan (1962) as Vikramaadhithan
- Thirudadhe (1961)
- Nallavan Vazhvan (1961) as Muthu
- Sabaash Mapillai (1961)
- Thai Sollai Thattathe (1961)
- Raja Desingu (1960)
- Arasilangumari (1960)
- Baghdadh Thirudan (1960)
- Mannadhi Mannan (1960)
- Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali (1959) as Kanagu
- Nadodi Mannan (1958)
- Nadodi Mannan (1958) Producer
- Nadodi Mannan (1958) Director
- Mahadhevi (1957)
- Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957)
- Rajarajan (1957)
- Pudhumai Pithan (1957)
- Madurai Veeran (1956) as Veeran
- Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) as Alibaba
- Thaikkupin Tharam (1956)
- Gulebagavali (1955)
- Malaikallan (1954)
- Koondukkili (1954)
- Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari (1954)
- Naam (1953)
- Panakkaari (1953)
- Genova (1953) as King Cipresso
- Andhaman Kaidhi (1952) as Nataraj
- En Thangai (1952) as Rajendran
- Kumari (1952)
- Sarvadhikari (1951) as Prathapan
- Marmayogi (1951)
- Manthiri Kumari (1950) as Veeramohan
- Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi (1950)
- Rathan Kumar (1949)
- Raja Mukthi (1948) as Mahendra Varman
- Mohini (1948)
- Abhimanyu (1948) as Arjunan
- Paithiyakaaran (1947)
- Rajakumari (1947)
- Sri Murugan (1946)
- Meera (1945) as Jayamal
- Dhaasippen (1943)
- Tamizhariyum Perumal (1942)
- Ashok Kumar (1941) as Mahendran
- Vedavathi (1941)
- Maya Machindra (1939)
- Prahalada (1939) as Indran
- Dakshayagnam (1938)
- Veera Jagathis (1938)
- Iru Sahodarargal (1936) as Police constable
- Sathi Leelavathi (1936) as Rangaiah Naidu
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is M. G. Ramachandran best known for?
M. G. Ramachandran is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Idhayakkani (1975), Urimai Kural (1974), Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973), Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973).
When and where was M. G. Ramachandran born?
M. G. Ramachandran was born on January 17, 1917 in Kandy, British Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. They passed away on December 24, 1987.
How many credits does M. G. Ramachandran have?
M. G. Ramachandran has accumulated over 141 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1936 to 1990.
What is M. G. Ramachandran's background in cinema and television?
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran, also known by the initialism MGR, was born on January 17, 1917, in Kandy, British Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka. He was a male Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for three successive terms from 1977 to 1987. Recognized as ...
M. G. Ramachandran by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Raja Desingu (1960) — aged about 43
- Anandha Jodhi (1963) — aged about 46
- Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957) — aged about 40
- Naan Aanaiyittal (1966) — aged about 49
- Idhayakkani (1975) as 'Red' Mohan — aged about 58
- Urimai Kural (1974) as Gobinath — aged about 57
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on M. G. Ramachandran.