Biography of M.G. Ramchandran

(January 17, 1917 - December 24, 1987)

M .G. Ramchandran was an extremely successful film star of South India. Maruden Gopalamenon Ramchandran was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka. His family moved to Tamil Nadu when he was six, and he joined a theatre group-the Madurai Original Boys. Here he picked up acting, dancing and swordplay.

M.G.R made his screen debut in Elis R. Duncan's Seti Leelavathi'in 1936. His major breakthrough came much later with ‘Rajkumari' in 1947. He also acted in the film ‘Manthiri Kumari', scripted by Karunanidhi. In 1960's, M.RG turned to more realistic fantasies mostly in a contemporary setting often portraying someone from the oppressed class a peasant, taxi driver or fisherman.

M.G.R. joined the D.M.K. party in 1953. He fell out with D.M.K. chief Karunanidhi and floated his own party. His party A.I.A.D.M.K. won the state elections in 1977. M.G.R. became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and was re-elected for three consecutive terms. He died in 1987.