View source for M. G. Ramachandran

{{short description|Indian actor and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1917–1987)}}
{{Redirect2|MGR|M.G.R.|other uses|MGR (disambiguation)}}
{{Indian name|Ramachandran|Maruthur Gopala}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = M. G. Ramachandran
| image               = MGR portrait, from 2017 Stamp.jpg
| caption             = Portrait of M.G.R. from a 2017 commemorative stamp
| office              = [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
| term_start          = 9 June 1980
| term_end            = 24 December 1987
| governor            = {{ubl|[[Prabhudas B. Patwari]]|[[Sundar Lal Khurana|S. L. Khurana]]}}
| subterm             = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice           = {{ubl|[[Second Ramachandran ministry|Ramachandran II]]|[[Third Ramachandran ministry|Ramachandran III]]}}
| predecessor         = [[President's rule]]
| successor           = [[V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]]{{efn|[[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]] served as acting chief minister in the interim for 14 days.}}
| constituency        = {{ubl|[[Madurai West Assembly constituency|Madurai West]]|[[Andipatti Assembly constituency|Andipatti]]}}
| term_start1         = 30 June 1977
| term_end1           = 17 February 1980
| governor1           = [[Prabhudas B. Patwari]]
| subterm1            = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice1          = [[First Ramachandran ministry|Ramachandran I]]
| predecessor1        = [[President's rule]]
| successor1          = [[President's rule]]
| constituency1       = [[Aruppukottai Assembly constituency|Aruppukottai]]
| office2             = [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start2         = 24 December 1984
| term_end2           = 24 December 1987
| 1blankname2         = Chief Minister
| 1namedata2          = ''Himself''
| 2blankname2         = Political Party
| 2namedata2          = [[AIADMK]]
| predecessor2        = [[S. S. Rajendran]]
| successor2          = [[P. Aasiyan]]
| constituency2       = [[Andipatti Assembly constituency|Andipatti]]
| term_start3         = 9 June 1980
| term_end3           = 15 November 1984
| 1blankname3         = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3          = ''Himself''
| 2blankname3         = Political Party
| 2namedata3          = [[AIADMK]]
| predecessor3        = T. P. M. Periyaswamy
| successor3          = [[Pon. Muthuramalingam]]
| constituency3       = [[Madurai West Assembly constituency|Madurai West]]
| term_start4         = 30 June 1977
| term_end4           = 17 February 1980
| 1blankname4         = Chief Minister
| 1namedata4          = ''Himself''
| 2blankname4         = Political Party
| 2namedata4          = [[AIADMK]]
| predecessor4        = [[Sowdi Sundara Bharathi]]
| successor4          = [[M. Pitchai]]
| constituency4       = [[Aruppukottai Assembly constituency|Aruppukottai]]
| term_start5         = 1 March 1967
| term_end5           = 31 January 1976
| 1blankname5         = Chief Minister
| 1namedata5          = {{ubl|[[C. N. Annadurai]]|[[M. Karunanidhi]]}}
| 2blankname5         = Political Party
| 2namedata5          = {{ubl|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]|[[AIADMK]]}}
| predecessor5        = ''position established''
| successor5          = ''position abolished''
| constituency5       = [[St. Thomas Mount Assembly constituency|St. Thomas Mount]]
| office6             = [[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]]
| term_start6         = 30 March 1962<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/3rd_1962/Review%203_62-67.pdf|title=Madras Legislative Assembly 1962–67 : A Review|work=[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606082028/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/3rd_1962/Review%203_62-67.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| term_end6           = 7 July 1964
| predecessor6        = 
| successor6          = S. R. P. Ponnuswamy Chettiar
| 2blankname6         = Chief Minister
| 2namedata6          = {{ubl|[[K. Kamaraj]]|[[M. Bhaktavatsalam]]}}
| office7             = [[General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|General Secretary]] of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start7         = 17 October 1986
| term_end7           = 24 December 1987
| predecessor7        = [[S. Raghavanandam]]
| successor7          = [[J. Jayalalithaa]]
| term_start8         = 17 October 1972
| term_end8           = 22 June 1978
| predecessor8        = ''position established''
| successor8          = [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]
| office9             = Treasurer of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start9         = 27 July 1969
| term_end9           = 10 October 1972
| 1blankname9         = President
| 1namedata9          = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| 2blankname9         = General Secretary
| 2namedata9          = [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]
| predecessor9        = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| successor9          = [[K. Anbazhagan]]
| office10            = President of the [[Nadigar Sangam|South Indian Artistes' Association]]
| term_start10        = 1961
| term_end10          = 1963
| predecessor10       = [[R. Nagendra Rao]]
| successor10         = [[S. S. Rajendran]]
| term_start11        = 1957
| term_end11          = 1959
| predecessor11       = [[N. S. Krishnan]]
| successor11         = [[Anjali Devi]]
| birth_name          = Maruthur Gopalan Menon Ramachandran
| birth_date          = {{birth date|df=yes|1917|01|17}}
| birth_place         = [[Nawalapitiya]], [[British Ceylon]]<br/>(present-day [[Kandy District]], [[Central Province, Sri Lanka|Central Province]], Sri Lanka)
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=yes|1987|12|24|1917|01|17}}
| death_place         = [[Madras]] (now [[Chennai]]),<br/>[[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_cause         = [[Cardiac arrest]]<ref name="TOI">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mgr-remembered/articleshow/27850941.cms|title=MGR remembered|date=24 December 2013|access-date=1 June 2025|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| resting_place       = [[M.G.R. and Amma Memorial]]
| nationality         = Indian
| profession          = {{hlist|Actor|director|film producer|politician|philanthropist}}
| party               = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1972{{endash}}1987)
| otherparty          = {{ubl|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1953{{endash}}1972)|[[Indian National Congress]] (1935{{endash}}1945)}}
| spouse              = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Chitarikulam Bhargavi|1939|1942|end=died}}|{{marriage|Sadanandavati|1942|1962|end=died}}|{{marriage|[[V. N. Janaki]]|1963|}}}}
| nickname            = {{unbulleted list|Makkal Thilagam|Puratchi Thalaivar|Vaathiyar}}
| residence           = {{bullet list|MGR Thottam, [[Ramapuram, Chennai|Ramapuram]] | Arcot Road, [[Thyagaraya Nagar|T. Nagar]] }}
| relatives           = {{bullet list| [[M. G. Chakrapani]] (brother)
| [[Papanasam Sivan]] (uncle-in-law) }}
| awards              = {{bullet list| [[Bharat Ratna]] (1988)
| [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] (1971) }}
| signature           = 
}}
'''Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran''' (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials '''M. G. R.''', was an Indian [[politician]], [[actor]], [[film director|director]], [[film producer]], and [[philanthropist]], who served as the [[chief minister of Tamil Nadu]] from 1977 until his death in 1987. He was the founder and first [[List of general secretaries of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|general secretary]] of the political party [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK).<ref name="Sri Kantha 2015">{{cite web|last=Sri Kantha|first=Sachi|author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha|date=8 April 2015|title=M.G.R. Remembered – Part 26|url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-26/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816105803/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-26/|archive-date=16 August 2017|access-date=19 May 2017|work=[[Sangam.org]]}}</ref> He is regarded as one of the most influential politicians of post-independent India,<ref>{{cite web|date=15 August 2017|title=Modi to Mamata, M.G.R. to NTR: Vir Sanghvi lists 70 politicians who changed India|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/70-politicians-independence-day|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909125921/https://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/70-politicians-independence-day/|archive-date=9 September 2019|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> and was known by the epithets ''Makkal Thilagam'' (Jewel of the People) and ''Puratchi Thalaivar'' (Revolutionary Leader).<ref name="TOI"/> In March 1988, he was posthumously awarded the [[Bharat Ratna]], India's highest civilian honour. 

Born in [[British Ceylon]] in 1917, Ramachandran's family emigrated later to India. In his youth, he became part of a drama troupe to support the family. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his debut in the [[Tamil film]] industry with ''[[Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)|Sathi Leelavathi]]'' in 1936. In a career spanning more than five decades, he acted in more than 135 films, majority of them in [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref name="Film">{{cite web|url=https://www.goldentamilcinema.net/index.php/mgr/filmography/40-filmography/51-mgr-movie-brief-info|title=MGR filmography|work=Golden Tamil Cinema|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> He was regarded as one of the three biggest male actors of Tamil cinema during the period alongside [[Sivaji Ganesan]] and [[Gemini Ganesan]].<ref>{{cite web|date=9 July 2012|title=Events – MGR-Sivaji-Gemini: Trinity Album Launched|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709092911/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2012|access-date=18 July 2024|work=Indiaglitz}}</ref> He won the [[National Film Award]] for [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] in 1971, three [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]], and three [[Filmfare Awards South]].

Ramachandran became part of the [[Indian National Congress]] in the late 1930s. In 1953, he became a member of the [[C. N. Annadurai]]-led [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK). He rose through its ranks based on his popularity as a film star. In 1972, three years after Annadurai's death, he left the DMK to establish AIADMK. He steered the [[AIADMK-led Alliance|AIADMK-led alliance]] to victory in the [[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977 assembly election]], defeating the DMK in the process, and was sworn in as the [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|chief minister of Tamil Nadu]]. Except for a four-month [[interregnum]] in 1980, he remained as chief minister until his death in 1987 and led the AIADMK to electoral wins in the [[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]] and [[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]] elections.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumaresan|first=S|date=27 April 2021|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/apr/27/from-the-archives-why-is-1980-tamil-nadu-assembly-election-worthy-of-note-2295297.html|title=From the archives: Why is 1980 Tamil Nadu Assembly election worthy of note?|work=[[The New Indian Express]]access-date=27 April 2021|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707134813/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/apr/27/from-the-archives-why-is-1980-tamil-nadu-assembly-election-worthy-of-note-2295297.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kumaresan|first=S|date=28 April 2021|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/apr/28/from-the-archives-when-mgr-sailed-on-sympathy-in1984-polls-2295720.html|title=From the archives: When MGR sailed on sympathy in 1984 polls|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=28 April 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228113421/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/apr/28/from-the-archives-when-mgr-sailed-on-sympathy-in1984-polls-2295720.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with [[renal failure]] caused by [[diabetes]], which led to further health problems. Despite undergoing a [[renal transplant]] and subsequent treatment at the United States, his condition worsened. He died on 24 December 1987 in his residence in [[Ramapuram, Chennai|Ramapuram]] due to a [[cardiac arrest]]. On 25 December 1987, his remains were buried at the northern end of the [[Marina beach]], where the [[MGR Memorial]] was constructed later. In December 2006, a life-size statue of Ramachandran was unveiled in the [[Old Parliament House, India|Indian Parliament]]. [[India Post]] has released several stamps in his honour, and several establishments and places have been named in his honour including the [[Chennai Central railway station]].

== Early life ==
Ramachandran was born in [[Nawalapitiya]], [[Kandy District]], [[British Ceylon]] (now in Sri Lanka) in a [[Malayali]] [[Nair]] family to Melakkath Gopalan Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama. His family hailed from [[Palakkad]] region in the modern-day Indian state of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Mani Shankar|last=Aiyar|author-link=Mani Shankar Aiyar|title=A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21 Century|date=1 January 2009|publisher=[[Penguin Books India]]|isbn=978-0-670-08275-9|page=77}}</ref><ref name="Gough">{{cite book|title=Rural Change in Southeast India 1950s to 1980s|first=Kathleen|last=Gough|author-link=Kathleen Gough|year=1989|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-195-62276-8|page=161}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamilguardian.com/content/108th-birth-anniversary-mg-ramachandran-celebrated-jaffna|title=108th birth anniversary of M.G. Ramachandran celebrated in Jaffna|date=21 January 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|work=Tamil Guardian|archive-date=10 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210032813/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/108th-birth-anniversary-mg-ramachandran-celebrated-jaffna|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramachandran later claimed himself to be of [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[Kongu Vellalar]] descent, whose ancestors had settled in the Kerala region.<ref>{{cite book|first=R.|last=Kannan|title=M.G.R.: A Life|date=28 June 2017|publisher=[[Penguin Random House]]|isbn=978-0-14-342934-0|pages=12–13|quote=MGR has said that his ancestors were originally from Pollachi, and were Mandradiyars of the Kongu Vellalars...MGR greatly resented being considered a Malayali}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Krishnamachari|first=Suganthi|date=30 April 2020|title=Inscriptions talk of fascinating Kongu connection|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/inscriptions-talk-of-fascinating-kongu-connection/article31470952.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=17 April 2021|quote=Krishna Menon of the Valluva Nadu royal family had five sons, of whom the fourth was Sankunni Valiya Mannadiyar, born in 1832. Sankunni Mannadiyar held a judicial post in Cochin. His son was Gopala Menon, born in 1884. Gopala Menon's wife, Satyabhama, belonged to a family in Mathur, which was referred to as Vadavanur Vellalar in copper plates. To Gopala Menon and Satyabhama, a son was born in 1917, who was to become famous not only in Tamil films, but in the political scene in Tamil Nadu. That son was M.G. Ramachandran! So M.G.R. had Kongu Vellala ancestors, both on his father's side and mother's side!|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425115358/https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/inscriptions-talk-of-fascinating-kongu-connection/article31470952.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kumar|first=N. Vinoth|date=8 April 2023|title=A book sought to prove MGR was a Gounder from Kongu land; what was the aim?|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/a-book-sought-to-prove-mgr-was-a-gounder-from-kongu-land-what-was-the-aim/|work=The Federal|access-date=5 February 2024|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205192903/https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/a-book-sought-to-prove-mgr-was-a-gounder-from-kongu-land-what-was-the-aim/|url-status=live}}</ref> His father worked as a [[magistrate]] in Kandy, and moved back to India with his family after retirement.<ref name="Kerala">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mgrs-childhood-home-in-kerala-to-become-a-cultural-hub/articleshow/62910243.cms|title=MGR's childhood home in Kerala to become a cultural hub|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 February 2018|access-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105205026/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mgrs-childhood-home-in-kerala-to-become-a-cultural-hub/articleshow/62910243.cms|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the youngest of the two sons, and his elder brother was [[M. G. Chakrapani|Chakrapani]].<ref name="Kerala"/><ref name="Veeravalli 2019">{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/826902/mg-ramachandrans-early-years-a-poor-childhood-drama-school-and-the-first-big-break|title=MG Ramachandran's early years: a poor childhood, drama school, and the first big break|last=Veeravalli|first=Shrikanth|work=[[Scroll.in]]|access-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822051907/https://scroll.in/reel/826902/mg-ramachandrans-early-years-a-poor-childhood-drama-school-and-the-first-big-break|archive-date=22 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramachandran's father died when he was two and a half years old. Soon after the death of his father, his sister also died due to ill health.<ref name="Veeravalli 2019"/> After his father's death, their relatives did not support the family, and his mother moved to her brother's house in [[Kumbakonam]].<ref name="Kerala"/> His mother worked as a housemaid to put both her sons through school.<ref name="Veeravalli 2019"/>

During his school days, Ramachandran joined a drama troupe called Boys Company. He trained himself in various aspects, and took on different roles.<ref name="Veeravalli 2019"/> With help from Kandasamy Mudaliar, he had a brief acting stint overseas in [[Rangoon]] and [[Singapore]], where he took up female roles. He returned to India to rejoin Boys Company, and started playing lead roles.<ref name="Veeravalli 2019"/>

==Acting career==
{{See also|M. G. Ramachandran filmography}}
[[File:M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Ramachandran in his debut film ''[[Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)|Sathi Leelavathi]]'']]

Ramachandran made his film debut in 1936, in the film ''[[Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)|Sathi Leelavathi]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bookrags.com/M._G._Ramachandran |title=M. G. Ramachandran Summary and Analysis Summary |date=3 March 2009 |work=Bookrags |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303042321/http://www.bookrags.com/M._G._Ramachandran |archive-date=3 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> directed by [[Ellis R. Dungan]], an American-born film director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600190300.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Americans in Tamil cinema |date=6 September 2004 |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205171837/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600190300.htm |archive-date=5 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He followed it with minor appearances and supporting roles in many films.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=28 March 2008 |title=Meera 1945 |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/meera-1945/article3022713.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603083033/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/meera-1945/article3022713.ece |archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref> He worked for over a decade in various films before he played his first lead role in ''[[Rajakumari (1947 film)|Rajakumari]]'', which was commercially successful.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guy |first=Randor |date=5 September 2008 |title=Rajakumari 1947 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/rajakumari-1947/article3023314.ece |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606103311/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/rajakumari-1947/article3023314.ece |archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> Ramachandran later delivered various hit films such as ''[[Manthiri Kumari]]'' and ''[[Maruthanad Elavarasee]]'' in 1950.<ref name="Bhaskar">{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/entertainment/news/actor-turned-politician-mgrs-108th-birth-anniversary-today-134308949.html|title=Actor‑turned‑politician MGR's 108th birth anniversary today: 'His work inspires us,' PM Modi pays homage to superstar of Tamil cinema|work=[[Dainik Bhaskar|Bhaskar English]]|date=17 January 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Career">{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-6/ |title=MGR Remembered – Part 6 |date=2 February 2013 |work=Ilankai Tamil Sangam |access-date=17 November 2016 |archive-date=13 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113172040/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-6/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He established himself as an [[action hero]] in [[Tamil cinema]] with ''Manthiri Kumari'' (1950) and ''[[Marmayogi]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=14 March 2008 |title=Marmayogi 1951 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/marmayogi-1951/article3022660.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603092756/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/marmayogi-1951/article3022660.ece |archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Phadnis |first=Aditi |date=6 December 2016 |title=Jayalalithaa: Tamil Nadu's mercurial pharaoh |work=[[Business Standard]] |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/jayalalithaa-tamil-nadu-s-mercurial-pharaoh-116120500928_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607080344/http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/jayalalithaa-tamil-nadu-s-mercurial-pharaoh-116120500928_1.html |archive-date=7 June 2017}}</ref> His popularity rose with the success of ''[[En Thangai (1952 film)|En Thangai]]'' (1952) and ''[[Malaikkallan]]'' (1954).<ref name="Bhaskar"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Guy |first=Randor |date=28 November 2008 |title=En Thangai 1952 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606162639/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>

Ramachandran's 1955 film ''[[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956 film)|Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum]]'' was the [[Tamil film]] industry's first-ever full-length [[gevacolor]] film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/city/2022/07/03/ali-baba-and-the-forty-thieves-the-first-colour-tamil-film|title=Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The first colour Tamil film|work=[[Daily Thanthi|DT Next]]|date=3 July 2022|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120033755/https://www.dtnext.in/city/2022/07/03/ali-baba-and-the-forty-thieves-the-first-colour-tamil-film|url-status=live}}</ref> He acted further in commercially successful films such as ''[[Madurai Veeran (1956 film)|Madurai Veeran]]'' (1956), ''[[Chakravarthi Thirumagal]]'' and ''[[Mahadevi (film)|Mahadevi]]'' (both released in 1957).<ref name="HT">{{cite web|last=Mishra |first=Nivedita |date=17 January 2017 |title=MGR's centenary: The man who dominated Tamil films for 3 decades |work=[[The Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mgr-s-centenary-the-man-who-dominated-tamil-films-for-3-decades/story-3aN5zgVfkI6nWqX8csbD7J.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607083231/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mgr-s-centenary-the-man-who-dominated-tamil-films-for-3-decades/story-3aN5zgVfkI6nWqX8csbD7J.html |archive-date=7 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=9 April 2011 |title=Chakravarthi Thirumagal 1957 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Chakravarthi-Thirumagal-1957/article14677017.ece |url-status=live |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609084648/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Chakravarthi-Thirumagal-1957/article14677017.ece |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=16 January 2016 |title=Mahadevi (1957) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Mahadevi-1957/article14001528.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603104308/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Mahadevi-1957/article14001528.ece |archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref> He also directed few films, and his first film as a director and producer was ''[[Nadodi Mannan]]'' (1958), which became a blockbuster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/m-g-ramachandran-took-loan-from-this-producer-to-buy-release-prints-of-nadodi-mannan-5814745.html|title=M.G Ramachandran Took Loan From This Producer to Buy Release Prints of Nadodi Mannan|work=[[News18]]|date=24 August 2022|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831151502/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/m-g-ramachandran-took-loan-from-this-producer-to-buy-release-prints-of-nadodi-mannan-5814745.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/city/2022/11/20/two-kings-mgrs-nadodi-mannan-took-madras-by-a-storm|title=Two kings: MGR's Nadodi Mannan took Madras by a storm|work=[[DT Next]]|date=20 November 2022|access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref> He later starred in ''[[Kalai Arasi]]'' (1963), which featured a storyline of aliens visiting the earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/tamil-film-had-aliens-spaceships-anti-gravity-boots-half-century-ago-44272|title=A Tamil film that had aliens, spaceships, anti‑gravity boots half a century ago|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=3 June 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023616/https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/tamil-film-had-aliens-spaceships-anti-gravity-boots-half-century-ago-44272|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, he appeared in ''[[Thozhilali]]'' and ''[[Padagotti]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=30 January 2016 |title=Thozhilaali (1964) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Thozhilaali-1964/article14028732.ece |url-status=live |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610083812/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Thozhilaali-1964/article14028732.ece |archive-date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=28 February 2016 |title=Padagotti (1964) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/padagotti-1964/article8290305.ece |url-status=live |access-date=4 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604094114/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/padagotti-1964/article8290305.ece |archive-date=4 June 2017}}</ref> After starring in numerous commercially successful films, he held a [[matinée idol]] status in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="HT"/>

[[File:MGR and VNJanaki.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Ramachandran with [[Janaki Ramachandran|Janaki]] in ''[[Mohini (1948 film)|Mohini]]'' (1948)]]

Ramachandran was shot in 1967, which permanently changed his voice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/the-gunshot-in-mgrs-ear-that-changed-tamil-nadu|title=The gunshot in MGR's ear that changed Tamil Nadu|work=[[Asianet News]]|date=4 November 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920000633/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/the-gunshot-in-mgrs-ear-that-changed-tamil-nadu|url-status=live}}</ref> His first film to release after his release from the hospital was ''Arasakattalai'', which had been finished earlier. However, he was shooting for the film ''[[Kaavalkaaran]]'', when he was shot, and the film had parts featuring his old and new voices across scenes.<ref name="Shot">{{cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/city/2018/10/28/those-were-the-days-a-bullet-that-changed-the-political-career-of-mgr|title=Those were the days: A bullet that changed the political career of MGR|work=[[Daily Thanthi|DT Next]]|date=28 October 2018|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121161701/https://www.dtnext.in/city/2018/10/28/those-were-the-days-a-bullet-that-changed-the-political-career-of-mgr|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ramachandran won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]] for the film ''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]'' in 1968 and the [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''[[Rickshawkaran]]'' in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/about/mg-ramachandran/awards/|title=MG Ramachandran Awards: Achievements & Honors|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> His 1973 film ''[[Ulagam Sutrum Valiban]]'' was one of the first Tamil films to be filmed abroad, and broke the previous box office records of his films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ulagamsutrum-vaaliban1973/article8541302.ece|title=Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban (1973)|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=30 April 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=18 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818151455/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ulagamsutrum-vaaliban1973/article8541302.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> His acting career ended in 1978 with his last film being ''[[Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan]]''.<ref name="Career"/><ref>{{cite web |title=MGR-Sivaji-Gemini: Trinity Album Launched |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html |work=IndiaGlitz |access-date=6 March 2012 |date=22 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709092911/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

Ramachandran remarked there was no question of retirement for anyone associated in whichever capacity with the cine field.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mgr-man-of-the-masses/article22454866.ece |title=MGR, man of the masses |date=17 January 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425045417/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mgr-man-of-the-masses/article22454866.ece |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kali N. Rathnam]], a pioneer of Tamil stage drama, and K.P. Kesavan were mentors of Ramachandran in his acting career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-2/ |title=MGR Remembered – Part 2 |date=2 February 2013 |work=Ilankai Tamil Sangam |access-date=17 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118101109/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-2/ |archive-date=18 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ramachandran was often paired with actresses [[B.Saroja Devi]], and [[J.Jayalalithaa]].<ref name="Pair">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/saroja-devi-the-kannadathu-payinkili-and-abinaya-saraswathi-of-tamil-cinema/article69810006.ece|title=Saroja Devi: The Kannadathu Payinkili and Abinaya Saraswathi of Tamil cinema|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 July 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=15 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715015240/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/saroja-devi-the-kannadathu-payinkili-and-abinaya-saraswathi-of-tamil-cinema/article69810006.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Jayalalithaa, who later followed him into politics, acted with him in 28 films, with the last film being ''[[Pattikaattu Ponnaiya]]'' in 1973.<ref name="Pair"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/pattikatu-ponnaiah-jayalalitha-and-m-g-ramachandrans-last-film-completes-50-years-8532866.html|title=Pattikatu Ponnaiah: Jayalalitha And M G Ramachandran's Last Film Completes 50 Years|date=11 August 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|work=[[News18]]|archive-date=15 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815103020/https://www.news18.com/movies/pattikatu-ponnaiah-jayalalitha-and-m-g-ramachandrans-last-film-completes-50-years-8532866.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Political career ==
=== Early career ===
Ramachandran was a member of the [[Indian National Congress]] till 1953. In 1953, he joined the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK), founded by [[C. N. Annadurai]], and became a prominent member of the party. He became a member of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council|Madras State Legislative Council]] in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/specials/2021/Mar/19/the-genesis-of-aiadmk-2278718.html|title=The Genesis of AIADMK|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=19 March 2021|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=20 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220061459/https://www.newindianexpress.com/specials/2021/Mar/19/the-genesis-of-aiadmk-2278718.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1967 assassination attempt ===
On 12 January 1967, actor [[M. R. Radha]], who has worked with Ramachandran in various films visited Ramachandran to discuss about a future film project. During the conversation, M. R. Radha stood up and shot Ramachandran near his left ear and then tried to shoot himself.<ref>{{cite web|author=A. Srivathsan|date=23 December 2012|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article12059018.ece|title=The day M.R. Radha shot MGR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821074309/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article12059018.ece |archive-date=21 August 2019|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The bullet was lodged behind the first [[vertebra]], and 
Ramachandran underwent a surgery to remove the bullet. However, a piece of the bullet was left behind as the doctors were apprehensive that it would cause further damage if attempted to be removed.<ref name="Shot"/> 

As a consequence of the surgery, he lost hearing in his left ear and his voice was altered permanently.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-the-hero-mg-ramachandran-was-shot-at-by-villain-mr-radha/article67572869.ece|title=When the hero M.G. Ramachandran was shot at by villain M.R. Radha|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 November 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=19 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419091621/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-the-hero-mg-ramachandran-was-shot-at-by-villain-mr-radha/article67572869.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The bullet piece left behind got dislodged later, and was removed safely, with Ramachandran attributing it to God's grace.<ref name="Shot"/> He was hospitalised for six weeks and was visited by commoners and people from the film industry, polity and bureaucracy. He conducted his campaign for the [[1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election|1967 assembly elections]] from the hospital bed, and was elected to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|legislative assembly]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/dravidian-chronicles-mgrs-first-electoral-victory-was-hospital-bed‑41913|title=Dravidian Chronicles: MGR's first electoral victory was from a hospital bed|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=20 April 2016|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Velayutham 2008">{{cite book |author=Selvaraj Velayutham |title=Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=New York city |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-415-39680-6 |page=1967}}</ref> Radha was later sentenced to five years in prison for the incident, and died in 1969.<ref name="Shot"/>

=== Differences with Karunanidhi and birth of AIADMK ===
After the death of his mentor Annadurai, he became the treasurer of the DMK in 1969 after he helped Karunanidhi became the [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|chief minister]] of the state and president of the party.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kannan |first1=R. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/best-of-friends-worthy-rivals/article24659609.ece|title=Best of friends, worthy rivals|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 August 2018 |access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418184804/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/best-of-friends-worthy-rivals/article24659609.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in the early 1970s, the growing popularity of Ramachandran caused a rift with the DMK president and chief minister Karunanidhi. Ramachandran played a key role in the victory of the DMK in the [[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971 assembly elections]].<ref name="Vikatan">{{cite web |url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/politics/48-years-history-of-admk-party |title=எம்.ஜி.ஆரை நீக்கியதன் விளைவை தி.மு.க சந்திக்கும்!" அப்போதே எச்சரித்த ராஜாஜி|trans-title="DMK will the face the consequences of removing MGR", warned Rajaji|lang=ta|work=[[Vikatan]]|date=20 October 2019}}</ref> 

[[File:AIADMK Flag.svg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Flag of [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]]]

Later in the same year, when the DMK government led by Karunanithi wanted to repel the law that was in effect in Tamil Nadu, Ramachandran launched a staunch opposition to it. In 1972, Ramachandran accused that corruption had grown in the DMK after the demise of Annadurai, and demanded the ministers to publicly declare their assets. As a consequence, Ramachandran was expelled from the party temporarily on 10 October 1972, and permanently four days later.<ref name="Vikatan"/>

On 17 October 1972, Ramachandran became the leader and general secretary of [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), established by [[Anakaputhur Ramalingam]].<ref name="Vikatan"/> He continued to act in films such as ''[[Netru Indru Naalai (1974 film)|Netru Indru Naalai]]'' (1974), ''[[Idhayakkani]]'' (1975), ''[[Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga]]'' (1977), and used cinema as a medium to spread his political messages.<ref name="Film"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/mgr-magic-looking-back-how-cinema-propelled-leader-aiadmk-74881|title=The MGR magic: Looking back at how cinema propelled the leader of the AIADMK|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=17 January 2018|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

=== Chief ministership and continued success ===
==== First elections ====
{{See also|First Ramachandran ministry}}

The AIADMK allied with Congress (I) for the [[1977 Indian general election|1977 parliamentary election]]. Though the combine won 34 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, the [[Janata party]] won the election and [[Morarji Desai]] became the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/elections-that-shaped-india-janata-party-1977-elections/article67525760.ece|title=Elections that shaped India: Janata Party wave takes over in 1977|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 April 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=23 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223124232/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/elections-that-shaped-india-janata-party-1977-elections/article67525760.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The AIADMK contested the [[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977 elections]], and was part of a four cornered contest against the DMK, the [[Indian National Congress (Organisation)]] and the [[Janata Party]]. The AIADMK allied itself with the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPM), while Congress (I) and [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI) contested as allies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-a-historic-election-in-1977-turned-tamil-nadu-political-landscape-bipolar/article70004962.ece|title=When a historic election in 1977 turned Tamil Nadu political landscape bipolar|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 September 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=3 September 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903002327/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-a-historic-election-in-1977-turned-tamil-nadu-political-landscape-bipolar/article70004962.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/how-the-1977-assembly-election-defined-the-political-landscape-of-tamil-nadu/article68360770.ece|title=How the 1977 Assembly election defined the political landscape of Tamil Nadu|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 July 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=16 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716135547/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/how-the-1977-assembly-election-defined-the-political-landscape-of-tamil-nadu/article68360770.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The AIADMK-led alliance won the elections by winning 144 seats out of 234 and Ramachandran became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977.<ref name="Elec">{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/tamil-nadu-elections-2016-past-results-1952-2011-2093474.html|title=Tamil Nadu polls 2016: A look at past results (1952‑2011)|work=[[OneIndia]]|date=10 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=6 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206024436/https://www.oneindia.com/feature/tamil-nadu-elections-2016-past-results-1952-2011-2093474.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CM">{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/list-of-chief-ministers-of-tamil-nadu/|title=List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu|work=[[OneIndia]]|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=3 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203164311/https://www.oneindia.com/list-of-chief-ministers-of-tamil-nadu/|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, Ramachandran later extended unconditional support to the Janata party government. He continued his support to the [[Charan Singh]]-led government in 1979, and [[Satyavani Muthu]] and [[Aravinda Bala Pajanor]] from the AIADMK became part of the [[Union Cabinet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/dec/24/mgr-got-equation-right-with-centre-to-get-state-fair-share-of-benefit-influence-decisions-1735688.html|title=MGR got equation right with Centre to get State fair share of benefit, influence decisions|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=24 December 2017|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229040600/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/dec/24/mgr-got-equation-right-with-centre-to-get-state-fair-share-of-benefit-influence-decisions-1735688.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/never-fight-with-delhi/article8414608.ece|title=Never fight with Delhi|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=23 March 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008091843/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/never-fight-with-delhi/article8414608.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Janata">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/indira-gandhi-never-forgave-mgr-1977-42511|title=Indira Gandhi never forgave MGR for 1977|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=1 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=2 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402145520/https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/indira-gandhi-never-forgave-mgr-1977-42511|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1980 elections ====
{{See also|Second Ramachandran ministry}}
[[File:Sedpatti Muthiah with M.G.Ramachandiran.jpg|thumb|Ramachandran with his party colleagues]]

After the fall of the Charan Singh government, fresh [[1980 Indian general election|parliamentary elections]] were conducted in 1980. The AIADMK and Janata party alliance won only two seats in the elections, that was won by the DMK-Congress (I) coalition. Following the victory, the AIADMK ministry and the Tamil Nadu assembly dismissed by the central government led by the Congress and fresh elections conducted in 1980.<ref name="Janata"/> Despite their victory at the 1980 [[Lok Sabha]] polls, DMK and Congress failed to win the [[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|legislative assembly election]]. AIADMK won the election and Ramachandran was sworn in as chief minister for the second time.<ref name="Elec"/><ref name="CM"/>

Karunanidhi claimed in April 2009 and in May 2012 that Ramachandran was ready for the merger of his party with the DMK in September 1979, with former [[Chief Minister of Odisha|Orissa chief minister]] [[Biju Patnaik]] acting as the mediator. The plan failed, because [[Panruti S. Ramachandran]], who was close to Ramachandran acted as a spoiler and Ramachandran changed his mind.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/01/stories/2009040159630800.htm |title=Tamil Nadu News : AIADMK came close to merging with DMK: Karunanidhi |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917103916/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/01/stories/2009040159630800.htm |archive-date=17 September 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/karuna-recalls-biju-s-bid-for-dmk-admk-merger_775093.html |title=Karuna recalls Biju's bid for DMK-AIADMK merger |work=[[Zee News]] |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723002916/http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/karuna-recalls-biju-s-bid-for-dmk-admk-merger_775093.html |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-biju-patnaik-nearly-pulled-dmk-and-aiadmk-merger-41911 |title=How Biju Patnaik nearly pulled off a DMK and AIADMK merger |work=News Minute |date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

==== Later years ====
{{See also|Third Ramachandran ministry}}

[[Indira Gandhi]] was [[Assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassinated]] on 31 October 1984,<ref>{{cite news |date=31 October 1984 |title=1984: Assassination and revenge |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/october/31/newsid_3961000/3961851.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215211511/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/october/31/newsid_3961000/3961851.stm |archive-date=15 February 2009 |access-date=23 January 2009 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and was succeeded by her son [[Rajiv Gandhi]], who sought a fresh mandate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mollan |first=Cherylann |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgenl7gv2lo |title=A pioneering doctor remembers India leader Indira Gandhi's final moments |work=[[BBC News]] |date=28 June 2025 |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250629001405/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgenl7gv2lo |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramachandran-led AIADMK allied with the Congress for the [[1984 Indian general election]]. Despite his poor health, he did contest the [[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|assembly election held later that year]] while still confined to the hospital, winning from [[Andipatti (state assembly constituency)|Andipatti]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/when-mgr-fell-ill/article9201689.ece|title=When MGR fell ill|work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|date=12 October 2016 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> During the election, photos of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital were published, creating a sympathy wave among the people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/wheres-the-personal-doc/299400 |title=Where's The Personal Doc? |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=5 December 2019 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205105325/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/wheres-the-personal-doc/299400 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Indira Gandhi's assassination, Ramachandran's appeals from the hospital, and Rajiv Gandhi visits to the state helped create a sympathy wave that helped the alliance sweep both the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/Mar/04/aiadmk--cong-combine-ride-on-sympathy-wave-in-84-1946778.html|title=AIADMK‑Congress combine ride on sympathy wave in '84|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=4 March 2019|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=30 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430121424/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/Mar/04/aiadmk--cong-combine-ride-on-sympathy-wave-in-84-1946778.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Tamil Nadu assembly, the combine won 195 seats and Ramachandran was later sworn in as the chief minister for the third time.<ref name="Elec"/><ref name="CM"/>

==== Policies and governance ====
Ramachandran was very popular in the state and had high approval from the public.<ref name="Pandian">{{cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4395134|title=Culture and Subaltern Consciousness: An Aspect of MGR Phenomenon|author=M. S. S. Pandian|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=24|issue=30|date=29 July 1989|pages=62–68|jstor=4395134|archive-date=6 April 2024|access-date=5 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406093541/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4395134|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2006/12/20/polls-show-mgr-as-the-best-cm-of-tamil-nadu-1166621843.html |title=Polls show MGR as the best CM of Tamil Nadu |date=20 December 2006 |work=[[OneIndia]] |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228200419/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/12/20/polls-show-mgr-as-the-best-cm-of-tamil-nadu-1166621843.html |archive-date=28 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He introduced and expanded welfare schemes such as free electricity to farmers, and [[Midday Meal Scheme|mid-day meal scheme]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/The-prince-of-populism/article17046215.ece|title=The prince of populism|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 January 2017|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=6 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506174223/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/The-prince-of-populism/article17046215.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The meal scheme for school students, which had been introduced by Kamaraj in 1956, was significantly expanded by Ramachandran in 1980. The scheme was expanded to cover all government and aided schools for all the days of the year including holidays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebetterindia.com/105220/mgr-a-life-mid-day-meals/|title=Book Excerpt: MGR, the Man Who Fed 66 Lakh Children With His Nutritious Mid‑Day Meal Scheme|work=[[The Better India]]|date=1 July 2017|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramakrishnan|first1=T.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/how-tamil-nadu-created-history-through-mid-day-meal-scheme/article67249627.ece|title=How Tamil Nadu created history through mid‑day meal scheme|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=29 August 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=21 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221055641/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/how-tamil-nadu-created-history-through-mid-day-meal-scheme/article67249627.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He introduced a free electricity scheme for small and marginal farmers in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spontaneousorder.in/tamil-nadus-unsustainable-energy-policy/|title=Tamil Nadu's Unsustainable Energy Policy|work=Spontaneous Order|date=14 August 2021|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=18 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418232339/https://spontaneousorder.in/tamil-nadus-unsustainable-energy-policy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, as per a study by the [[Madras Institute of Development Studies]] in 1988, Ramachandran's tenure did not see a significant upliftment in the economic condition of the poor and the shift of government resources from industrial sector to social welfare schemes contributed to the same.<ref name="Pandian"/>

The decision-making was often centralised during Ramachandran's tenure. While there were criticism regarding the efficiency of such working, supporters of Ramachandran counter that most of these problems were a result of the party members serving Ramachandran rather than the leader himself. His charisma and popularity trumped policy decisions that led to his eventual success during his tenure as chief minister.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/st/article/view/2939 |author=Ingrid Widlund |title=A Vote for MGR Transaction and Devotion in South Indian Politics |volume=96 |issue=3 |year=1993 |journal=Statsvetenskaplig Tidskrifts |pages=225–257 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228220416/http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/st/article/view/2939 |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

Ramachandran allowed the continued sale of liquor, which he opposed when the ban on which was overturned by his predecessor Karunanidhi in 1971. He rescinded the ban on [[Palm toddy|toddy]] in 1981, and reversed it six years later. He established the [[Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation]] in 1983 for the import and sale of foreign made liquor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/Jul/30/first-state-to-have-prohibition-now-govt-run-liquor-shops-pervade-tn-2482355.html|title=First state to have prohibition, now govt‑run liquor shops pervade TN|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=30 July 2022|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=21 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121032118/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/Jul/30/first-state-to-have-prohibition-now-govt-run-liquor-shops-pervade-tn-2482355.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Natwar Singh]] in his autobiography ''[[One Life is Not Enough]]'' alleged that Ramachandran covertly supported the cause of independent [[Tamil Eelam]] and financed the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE), a militant organisation in Sri Lanka. He also alleged that the LTTE cadres were given military training in Tamil Nadu, and that Ramachandran had gifted {{INRconvert|40|m}} rupees to the group without the knowledge of the Indian government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/140803/sunday-times-2/natwar-exposes-rajivs-dealings-with-ltte-109493.html|title=Natwar exposes Rajiv's dealings with LTTE|work=The Sunday Times|date=3 August 2014|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=17 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217050848/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/140803/sunday-times-2/natwar-exposes-rajivs-dealings-with-ltte-109493.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ramachandran's government often used state machinery against political criticism and opposition.<ref name="Pandian"/> In April 1987, the editor of ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' [[S. Balasubramanian]] was sentenced to 3 months in jail by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for publishing a cartoon, depicting government ministers as bandits and lawmakers as pickpockets, though specific legislature was not specified. He was later released due to media outcry and Balasubramanian won a case against his arrest. ''Vaniga Otrumai'' editor A.M. Paulraj was also sentenced to two weeks imprisonment by the assembly for his writing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arrest-of-ananda-vikattin-editor-another-press-vs-ramachandran-government-battle/1/336963.html |title=Arresting affair Arrest of Ananda Vikattin editor another press vs Ramachandran Government battle |work=S.H. Venkatramani |date=30 April 1987 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125145/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arrest-of-ananda-vikattin-editor-another-press-vs-ramachandran-government-battle/1/336963.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/16/stories/2003111602121000.htm |title=A trophy to remember |date=16 November 2003 |access-date=17 October 2015 |last1=Ramachandran |first1=K. |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2003/11/16/ |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Elections results ===
;Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|Elections
!rowspan=2|Assembly
!rowspan=2|Constituency
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Political party
!rowspan=2|Result
!rowspan=2|Vote percentage
!colspan=5|Opposition
|-
!Candidate
!colspan=2|Political party
!Vote percentage
|-
|[[1967 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1967]]||[[4th Madras State Assembly|4th]]||rowspan=2|[[St. Thomas Mount Assembly constituency|St. Thomas Mount]]||rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]||rowspan=2 {{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}||rowspan=5 {{Won}}||66.67%||rowspan=2|T. L. Raghupathy||[[Indian National Congress|INC]]||{{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}||32.57%
|-
|[[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]]||[[5th Tamil Nadu Assembly|5th]]||61.11%||[[Indian National Congress (Organisation)|INC(O)]]||{{party color cell|Indian National Congress (Organisation)}}||38.10%
|-
|[[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]]||6th||[[Aruppukottai Assembly constituency|Aruppukottai]]||rowspan=3|[[AIADMK]]||rowspan=3 {{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}||56.23%||M. Muthuvel Servai||[[Janata Party|JP]]||{{party color cell|Janata Party}}||17.87%
|-
|[[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]]||7th||[[Madurai West Assembly constituency|Madurai West]]||59.61%||[[Pon. Muthuramalingam]]||rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]||rowspan=2 {{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}||37.59%
|-
|[[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]]||8th||[[Andipatti Assembly constituency|Andipatti]]||67.40%||Thangaraj||31.22%
|}

=== Positions held ===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|Elections
!rowspan=2|Position
!rowspan=2|Constituency
!colspan=3|Term in office
|-
!Assumed office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
|1962
|[[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|Member of the Legislative Council]]
|{{n/a}}
|30 March 1962
|7 July 1964
|2 years, 99 days
|-
|[[1967 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1967]]
|rowspan=2|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]]
|rowspan=2|[[St. Thomas Mount Assembly constituency|St. Thomas Mount]]
|15 March 1967
|5 January 1971
|3 years, 296 days
|-
|[[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]]
|22 March 1971
|31 January 1976
|4 years, 315 days
|-
|[[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]]
|rowspan=3|[[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
|[[Aruppukottai Assembly constituency|Aruppukottai]]
|30 June 1977
|17 February 1980
|2 years, 232 days
|-
|[[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]]
|[[Madurai West Assembly constituency|Madurai West]]
|9 June 1980
|9 February 1985
|4 years, 245 days
|-
|[[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]]
|[[Andipatti Assembly constituency|Andipatti]]
|10 February 1985
|24 December 1987
|2 years, 317 days
|}

== Illness and death ==
[[File:MGR Memorial 9 December 2007.jpg|thumb|[[MGR Memorial]] at [[Marina beach]] in [[Chennai]]]]

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with [[kidney failure]] as a result of uncontrolled [[diabetes]], which was soon followed by a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] and [[stroke]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Venkatramani |first1=S. H. |title=M.G. Ramachandran's kidney ailment remained a well-kept secret |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19841115-m.g.-ramachandran-kidney-ailment-remained-a-well-kept-secret-803467-1984-11-15 |access-date=4 April 2020 |work=[[India Today]] |date=15 November 1984 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205105325/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19841115-m.g.-ramachandran-kidney-ailment-remained-a-well-kept-secret-803467-1984-11-15 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871225&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=MGR dies of heart attack |date=25 December 1987 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=4 March 2020 |url-status=live |page=1 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163259/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871225&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}</ref> He underwent a [[kidney transplant]] at the [[SUNY Downstate Medical Center|Downstate Medical Center]] in New York City, United States. He returned to Madras on 4 February 1985 following his recovery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Sunil |title=Tamil Nadu CM M.G. Ramachandran returns home, health speculations laid to rest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19850228-tamil-nadu-cm-mg-ramachandran-returns-home-health-speculations-laid-to-rest-769833-2013-11-26 |access-date=12 October 2023 |work=[[India Today]] |date=28 February 1985 |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013080925/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19850228-tamil-nadu-cm-mg-ramachandran-returns-home-health-speculations-laid-to-rest-769833-2013-11-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Over the next three years, Ramachandran had frequent trips to the United States for treatment. He never fully recovered from his health issues and died on 24 December 1987 at 3:30&nbsp;am in his Ramavaram Garden residence in [[Manapakkam]] at the age of 70.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/m.g.-ramachandran-death-marks-the-passing-of-an-era-of-stability-in-tamil-nadu/1/328814.html |title=M.G. Ramachandrans death marks the passing of an era of stability in Tamil Nadu |work=[[India Today]] |date=15 January 1988 |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19880115-m.g.-ramachandran-death-marks-the-passing-of-an-era-of-stability-in-tamil-nadu-796866-1988-01-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> His body was kept [[in state]] at [[Rajaji Hall]] for two days for public viewing. On 25 December 1987, his remains were buried at the northern end of the [[Marina Beach|Marina beach]], now called [[MGR Memorial]], adjacent to the [[Anna Memorial]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Tripathi |first=Ashutosh |date=6 December 2016 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/rajajai-hall-a-witness-to-history-and-events-in-tamil-nadu-1319885.html |title=Rajaji Hall: A Witness to History and Events in Tamil Nadu |work=[[News18]] |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> Around one million people were estimated to have attended his funeral.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6C28AE8FBD0C1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=One Million Indians Mourn Tamil Leader |newspaper=[[Charlotte Observer]] |date=26 December 1987 |access-date=19 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324125936/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6C28AE8FBD0C1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=24 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ramachandran's death sparked a frenzy of public rioting over the state, and various shops, cinemas, buses and other public and private property became the target of the violence. The police were given shoot-at-sight orders to bring the situation under control. Schools, colleges and various establishments announced holidays due to the situation. The state of affairs continued for almost a month across Tamil Nadu. Some women allegedly shaved their heads bald, and dressed like widows. A few whipped or self immolated themselves. Violence during the funeral alone left 129 people dead and 47 police personnel wounded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/02/stories/2002060201871700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130100838/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/02/stories/2002060201871700.htm|archive-date=30 November 2009|date=2 June 2002|title=Politics and suicides|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="Death">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73864408.html?dids=73864408%3A73864408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=DEC+25%2C+1987&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Popular+Tamil+Leader+Dies+in+India%3BRioting%2C+Suicides+Follow+Death+of+Tamil+Nadu%27s+Chief+Minister&pqatl=google |title=Popular Tamil Leader Dies in India;Rioting, Suicides Follow Death of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister |publisher=PQASB |date=25 December 1987 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624093420/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73864408.html?dids=73864408%3A73864408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=DEC+25%2C+1987&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Popular+Tamil+Leader+Dies+in+India%3BRioting%2C+Suicides+Follow+Death+of+Tamil+Nadu%27s+Chief+Minister&pqatl=google |archive-date=24 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36DA04F1B596C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |work=Chicago Sun-Times |title=Tamil leader's death stirs India riots |date=26 December 1987 |access-date=19 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323114837/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36DA04F1B596C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=23 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
[[File:M g .r நினைவு இல்லம் முகப்பு தோற்றம்.JPG|thumb|upright=0.95|Ramachandran's erstwhile house at [[T. Nagar]] in Chennai]]

In 1939, Ramachandran married Chitarikulam Bhargavi, who later died in 1942 due to an illness. In late 1942, he married Sadanandavati, who died later due to [[tuberculosis]] in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/19000346/Marriage-qualifying-high.html |title=திருமணமும் தகுதி உயர்வும்|lang=ta|trans-title=Marriage and promotion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007013548/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/19000346/Marriage-qualifying-high.html|archive-date=7 October 2014|work=[[Maalaimalar]]|date=19 February 2014|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Wife">{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/actor-politician-mgrs-marital-life-a-tragic-tale-5161393.html|title=Actor-Politician MGR's Marital Life - A Tragic Tale|work=[[News18]]|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=17 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117134655/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/actor-politician-mgrs-marital-life-a-tragic-tale-5161393.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1963, he married actress [[V. N. Janaki]], who later became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu after his death.<ref name="Wife"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/21000505/Mgr-Cinema-History.html |title=பொன்மனச் செம்மலின் வெற்றி வரலாறு (பகுதி 5): வி.என். ஜானகியை வாழ்க்கைத் துணைவியாக ஏற்றார்!|trans-title=Life history of MGR Part 5: Marriage with V.N.Janaki|lang=ta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124005117/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/21000505/Mgr-Cinema-History.html|archive-date=24 January 2014|work=[[Maalaimalar]]|date=19 February 2014|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> He had no biological children from any of his marriages.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=K.M.|date=27 April 1998|title=Family feud over MGR's property turns into public campaign against controlling authority|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/19980427-family-feud-over-mgrs-property-turns-into-public-campaign-against-controlling-authority-826242-1998-04-27|access-date=21 February 2021|work=[[India Today]]|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516065935/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/19980427-family-feud-over-mgrs-property-turns-into-public-campaign-against-controlling-authority-826242-1998-04-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

In his early days, Ramachandran was a devout [[Hindu]] and a devotee of [[Murugan]] and his mother's [[Ishta Deva|favourite god]], [[Guruvayurappan]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Linda Woodhead|title=Religions in Modern World|publisher=Fletcher, Kawanam|page=39}}</ref> After joining the DMK, he identified himself as a rationalist.<ref>{{cite book|author=M.S.S. Pandian|author-link=M.S.S. Pandian|year=1992|title=The image trap: M G Ramachandran in Film and Politics|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|isbn=978-0-803-99403-4|page=131}}</ref> He gifted a golden sword weighing half a Kilogram to [[Mookambika]] temple in [[Kollur, Udupi district|Kollur]], [[Udupi district]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/07/31/stories/2004073102520400.htm |title=Jayalalithaa offers prayers at Kollur temple |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 July 2004 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822055235/http://hinduonnet.com/2004/07/31/stories/2004073102520400.htm |archive-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Ramachandran was the founder and editor of ''Thai'' weekly magazine and ''Anna'' daily newspaper in Tamil.{{cn|date=September 2025}} He established [[Sathya Studios]] and Emgeeyar Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/Jul/04/aiadmk-founder-mg-ramachandrans-will-may-hold-key-to-ongoing-leadership-tussle-2473044.html|title=AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran's will may hold key to ongoing leadership tussle|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=4 July 2022|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> He offered personal financial donations during disasters and calamities, and donated Rs. 75,000 to the war fund during the [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/1962-india-china-war-why-india-needed-that-jolt/articleshow/16703076.cms?from=mdr|title=1962 India‑China war: Why India needed that jolt|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=7 October 2012|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

== Legacy and honours ==
{{Multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 250
| image1 = MG Ramachandran 1990 stamp of India.jpg
| image2 = MG Ramachandran 2017 stamp of India.jpg
| footer = Ramachandran memorial stamps released by [[India Post]] in 1990 (left) and 2007
|}}
[[File:MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|Ramachandran's statue at the [[MGR Memorial]] in [[Chennai]]]]

Ramachandran was awarded honorary doctorates by [[The World University]] in 1974 for his contributions to Indian cinema,<ref>{{cite web|title=TN CM to receive honorary doctorate from Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-cm-receive-honorary-doctorate-dr-mgr-educational-and-research-institute-110616|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605081453/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-cm-receive-honorary-doctorate-dr-mgr-educational-and-research-institute-110616|archive-date=5 June 2020|access-date=5 June 2020|work=News Minute|date=16 October 2019}}</ref> and the [[University of Madras]] in 1987 for his contributions to public affairs.<ref>{{cite web|title=M.G.R. biography|url=http://mgrhome.in/mgrbio|access-date=9 June 2020|work=MGR home|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121070052/http://mgrhome.in/mgrbio|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 March 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously honoured with [[Bharat Ratna]], India's highest civilian honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Bharat Ratna award winners from 1954 to 2024|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/list-of-bharat-ratna-award-winners-from-1954-to-2024/articleshow/111757520.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=12 August 2024|access-date=20 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217154448/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/list-of-bharat-ratna-award-winners-from-1954-to-2024/articleshow/111757520.cms|archive-date=17 February 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> He became the third chief minister of the state to receive the award after [[C. Rajagopalachari]] and [[K. Kamaraj]]. The timing of the award was controversial, and his opponents criticised the central government led by Congress under Rajiv Gandhi to have influenced the decision to give the award to help win the upcoming [[1989 Indian general election|1989 Lok Sabha election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/bharat-ratna--isnt-the-arbitrary-selection--politics-making-this-highest-civilian-award-controversy-prone/15892132.shtml|title=Bharat Ratna- Isn't the arbitrary selection & politics making this highest civilian award controversy prone?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228143130/http://www.merinews.com/article/bharat-ratna--isnt-the-arbitrary-selection--politics-making-this-highest-civilian-award-controversy-prone/15892132.shtml |archive-date=28 December 2013|work=Merinews|date=20 November 2013|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

Ramachandran is widely known by the epithets "Makkal Thilagam" (Jewel of the People), "Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary Leader), and "Ponmana Chemmal" (Generous one) in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kalkionline.com/news/ponmana-chemmal-m-g-ramachandran|title=Ponmana Chemmal M G Ramachandran|work=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]|lang=ta|date=3 January 1988|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> In 1989, [[Dr. M. G. R. Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired]] was established at the his erstwhile residence in [[Ramapuram, Chennai|Ramapuram]], in accordance with his last will and testament written in January 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enabled.in/wp/mgr-home-higher-secondary-school-for-the-speech-and-hearing-impaired/|title=M. G. R. Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired|work=Enabled|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> His official residence located at 27, Arcot Street, [[Thyagaraya Nagar]] was converted into a memorial house and opened for public viewing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mgr-illam-gives-a-glimpse-into-a-charismatic-actor-politicians-life/article67715317.ece|title=MGR Illam gives a glimpse into a charismatic actor‑politician's life|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 January 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=16 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716011525/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mgr-illam-gives-a-glimpse-into-a-charismatic-actor-politicians-life/article67715317.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women]] was established in a part of the land that housed Sathya Studios.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/290818/k-subrahmanyam-hall-to-be-opened-tomorrow.html|title=K Subrahmanyam Hall to be opened tomorrow|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=29 August 2018|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=20 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420154233/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/290818/k-subrahmanyam-hall-to-be-opened-tomorrow.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A life-size statue of Ramachandran was unveiled on 7 December 2006 in the Parliament House by then [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha Speaker]] [[Somnath Chatterjee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/12/07/statues-of-mgr-bhupesh-gupta-unveiled-in-parliament-1165472009.html|title=Statues of MGR, Bhupesh Gupta unveiled in Parliament|work=[[OneIndia]]|date=7 December 2006|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> To commemorate Ramachandran's birth centenary in 2017, the [[Reserve Bank of India]] issued Rs. 100 and Rs.5 coins that bore his image as a portrait along with an inscription mentioning the event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centre-to-mint-5-100-coins-to-commemorate-mgrs-birth-centenary/article19672634.ece|title=Centre to mint ₹5, ₹100 coins to commemorate MGR's birth centenary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912182912/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centre-to-mint-5-100-coins-to-commemorate-mgrs-birth-centenary/article19672634.ece |archive-date=12 September 2017|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 September 2017|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

Several localities, roads, places, and establishments have been named in his honour. [[MGR Nagar]], a residential neighbourhood in Chennai was named after him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/residents-want-new-street-name-boards-to-be-installed-at-mgr-nagar-in-chennai/article69670872.ece|title=Residents want new street-name boards to be installed at MGR Nagar in Chennai|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 June 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=10 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610094247/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/residents-want-new-street-name-boards-to-be-installed-at-mgr-nagar-in-chennai/article69670872.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/oct/10/cmbt-renamed-as-puratchi-thalaivar-dr-mgr-bus-stand-1883468.html |title=CMBT renamed as 'Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Bus Terminus' |date=10 October 2018 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011114651/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/oct/10/cmbt-renamed-as-puratchi-thalaivar-dr-mgr-bus-stand-1883468.html |archive-date=11 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Central Bus Terminus Salem|Salem Central Bus Stand]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/salem-new-bus-stand-renovated-at-a-cost-of-2480-lakh/article68721550.ece|title=Salem news bus stand renovated at a cost of 24.8 lakhs|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 October 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006035245/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/salem-new-bus-stand-renovated-at-a-cost-of-2480-lakh/article68721550.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Transport in Tirunelveli|Tirunelveli New Bus Stand]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Government of Tamil Nadu|first=Tirunelveli District Administration|date=8 December 2021|title=The Hon'ble Chief Minister inaugurated the renewed Bharat Ratna Dr. MGR Bus Stand and Palayamkottai Bus Stand under the Smart City Projects through video conferencing|url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s36a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5/uploads/2021/12/2021120912.pdf|access-date=9 January 2022|work=[[Tirunelveli district]]|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109084314/https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s36a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5/uploads/2021/12/2021120912.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[M.G.R. Bus Stand]] at [[Madurai]] are named after him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/it-is-now-mgr-bus-stand-at-mattuthavani-madurai/article19957729.ece |title=It is now MGR bus stand at Mattuthavani |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=31 October 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/it-is-now-mgr-bus-stand-at-mattuthavani-madurai/article19957729.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 April 2019, [[Government of India]] renamed the [[Chennai Central railway station]] as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station to honour him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=M |first1=Manikandan |title=Chennai Central railway station renamed after AIADMK founder MGR |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chennai-central-railway-station-renamed-after-aiadmk-founder-mgr/story-BbpgnA17d5GCUPtsFxwpIN.html |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=[[The Hindustan Times]] |date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416125843/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chennai-central-railway-station-renamed-after-aiadmk-founder-mgr/story-BbpgnA17d5GCUPtsFxwpIN.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 July 2020, [[Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central metro station|Central Metro]] station of the [[Chennai Metro]] was renamed after Ramachandran.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/jul/31/tamil-nadu-government-to-rename-three-metro-rail-stations-in-chennai-after-late-chief-ministers-2177261.html |title=Tamil Nadu government to rename three metro rail stations in Chennai after late Chief Ministers |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803040901/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/jul/31/tamil-nadu-government-to-rename-three-metro-rail-stations-in-chennai-after-late-chief-ministers-2177261.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 October 2021, the AIADMK headquarters in [[Royapettah]] was renamed as ''Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Maaligai'' by party leaders in memory of the party's founder.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-news/news/2868092 |title=எம்ஜிஆர் மாளிகை' ஆனது அதிமுக அலுவலகம்: பொன் விழாவை சிறப்பாக கொண்டாட ஏற்பாடு |lang=ta |trans-title=ADMK office becomes MGR maaligai |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=[[Dinamalar]] |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215121245/https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-news/news/2868092 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Film awards===
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align:center"
!Year
!Event
!Category
!Film
!Conferred by
|-
|1971
|[[19th National Film Awards]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]
|''[[Rickshawkaran]]''
|[[Government of India]]
|-
|1968
|2nd Tamil Nadu State Film Award
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]''
|rowspan=3|[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]
|-
|1969
|3rd Tamil Nadu State Film Award
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|''[[Adimai Penn]]''
|-
|1978
|12th Tamil Nadu State Film Award
|Special Award
|''[[Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan]]''
|-
|1965
|[[13th Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Special Award – South|Special Award – South]]
|''[[Enga Veettu Pillai]]''
|rowspan=3|[[Filmfare]]
|-
|1969
|[[17th Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil|Best Film – Tamil]]
|''[[Adimai Penn]]''
|-
|1973
|[[21st Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Special Award – South|Special Award – South]]
|''[[Ulagam Sutrum Valiban]]''
|}

== In popular culture ==
Ramachandran's autobiography, "''Naan Yaen Piranthen?'' (''Why Was I Born?'')", was published in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/janakis-son-alone-has-copyright-to-mgrs-autobiography-court/article3600414.ece|title=Janaki's son alone has copyright to M.G.R.'s autobiography: court|date=4 July 2012|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210024121/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/janakis-son-alone-has-copyright-to-mgrs-autobiography-court/article3600414.ece|archive-date=10 December 2016}}</ref>

The 1997 [[Tamil film]] ''[[Iruvar]]'', by [[Mani Ratnam]], is based on the rivalry and friendship between Ramachandran and Karunanidhi. [[Mohanlal]] played Anandan, the character based on Ramachandran.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/when-mohanlal-humanised-mgr-in-mani-ratnam-iruvar-6224060/ |title=When Mohanlal humanised MGR in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar |date=20 January 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930063636/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/when-mohanlal-humanised-mgr-in-mani-ratnam-iruvar-6224060/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2019 [[web series]] ''[[Queen (TV series)|Queen]]'', [[Indrajith Sukumaran]] portrayed G. M. Ravichandran, the fictional adaptation of Ramachandran.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indrajith Sukumaran to play MGR in Gautham Menon's Jayalalithaa web series |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/mar/18/indrajith-sukumaran-to-play-mgr-in-gautham-menons-jayalalithaa-web-series-10596.html |access-date=9 February 2021 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=18 March 2019 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303083934/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/mar/18/indrajith-sukumaran-to-play-mgr-in-gautham-menons-jayalalithaa-web-series-10596.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Tamil film ''[[Thalaivii]]'' (2021), Ramachandran was portrayed by [[Arvind Swamy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/dec/24/team-thalaivi-shares-new-look-of-arvind-swami-as-mgr-on-his-death-anniversary-2240574.html |title=Team 'Thalaivi' shares new look of Arvind Swami as MGR on his death anniversary |date=24 December 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930063636/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/dec/24/team-thalaivi-shares-new-look-of-arvind-swami-as-mgr-on-his-death-anniversary-2240574.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thalaivii-was-a-huge-responsibility-says-arvind-swami/article36356551.ece |title=Becoming MGR: How Arvind Swami got into shape for 'Thalaivii' |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=8 September 2021 |last1=Ramanujam |first1=Srinivasa |archive-date=30 September 2021 |access-date=30 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930063636/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thalaivii-was-a-huge-responsibility-says-arvind-swami/article36356551.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[M. G. Ramachandran's unrealised projects]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|M. G. Ramachandran}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0707901|name=M. G. Ramachandran}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|id=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mgr}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=[[M. Karunanidhi]]|reason=[[President's Rule]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]|years=1977–1987}}
{{s-aft|after=[[V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]]}}

{{s-end}}

{{All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
{{Dravidian politics}}
{{Bharat Ratna}}
{{Council of Ministers of Tamil Nadu}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestActor}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActor}}
{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{Authority control|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramachandran, Mgoi}}
[[Category:M. G. Ramachandran]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Actors from Kandy]]
[[Category:Actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film directors from Chennai]]
[[Category:Film producers from Chennai]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian political party founders]]
[[Category:Indian Tamil politicians]]
[[Category:Kidney transplant recipients]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chennai]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actors from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Politicians from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Politicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bharat Ratna]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to India]]
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1967–1971]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1971–1976]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1977–1980]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1980–1984]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1985–1989]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Tamil-language film directors]]