M. G. Ramachandran

"MGR" and "M.G.R." redirect here. For other uses, see MGR (disambiguation).

In this Indian name, the name Maruthur Gopalan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ramachandran.

M. G. Ramachandran
Commemorative stamp of M. G. R. from 2017
3rd Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
In office 9 June 1980 – 24 December 1987
Governor	Prabhudas Patwari Sundar Lal Khurana
Preceded by	President's rule
Succeeded by	V. N. Janaki Ramachandran
Constituency	Madurai West (1980–1985) Andipatti (1985–1987)
In office 30 June 1977 – 17 February 1980
Governor	Prabhudas Patwari
Preceded by	President's rule
Succeeded by	President's rule
Constituency	Aruppukottai
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office 24 December 1984 – 24 December 1987
Chief Minister	Himself
Political Party	AIADMK
Preceded by	S. S. Rajendran
Succeeded by	P. Aasiyan
Constituency	Andipatti
In office 9 June 1980 – 15 November 1984
Chief Minister	Himself
Political Party	AIADMK
Preceded by	T. P. M. Periyaswamy
Succeeded by	Pon. Muthuramalingam
Constituency	Madurai West
In office 30 June 1977 – 17 February 1980
Chief Minister	Himself
Political Party	AIADMK
Preceded by	Sowdi Sundara Bharathi
Succeeded by	M. Pitchai
Constituency	Aruppukottai
In office 1 March 1967 – 31 January 1976
Chief Minister	C. N. Annadurai M. Karunanidhi
Political Party	DMK AIADMK
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	position abolished
Constituency	St. Thomas Mount
Member of Madras State Legislative Council
In office 30 March 1962 – 7 July 1964
Chief Minister	K. Kamaraj (1962–1963) M. Bhaktavatsalam (1963–1964)
Succeeded by	S. R. P. Ponnuswamy Chettiar
1st General Secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
In office 17 October 1986 – 24 December 1987
Preceded by	S. Raghavanandam
Succeeded by	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
In office 17 October 1974 – 22 June 1978
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
Treasurer of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
In office 27 July 1969 – 10 October 1972
President	M. Karunanidhi
Secretary	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
Preceded by	M. Karunanidhi
Succeeded by	K. Anbazhagan
President of the South Indian Artistes' Association
In office 1961–1963
Preceded by	R. Nagendra Rao
Succeeded by	S. S. Rajendran
In office 1957–1959
Preceded by	N. S. Krishnan
Succeeded by	Anjali Devi
Personal details
Born	Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (1917-01-17)17 January 1917 Nawalapitiya, Kandy District, British Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka)
Died	24 December 1987(1987-12-24) (aged 70) Madras, Tamil Nadu, India (present-day Chennai)
Cause of death	Kidney failure
Resting place	M.G.R. and Amma Memorial
Nationality	Indian
Political party	All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1972–1987)
Other political affiliations	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1953–1972) Indian National Congress (1935–1945) Independent (1945–1953)
Spouse	Thangamani ​ ​ (m. 1939; died 1942)​ Sadhanandavathi ​ ​ (m. 1942; died 1962)​ V. N. Janaki ​ (m. 1963)​
Relatives	M. G. Chakrapani (brother)
Residence(s)	M. G. R. Thottam, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Profession	Actor film producer director politician philanthropist
Awards	Bharat Ratna (1988) (posthumous) Rajat Kamal (1971)
Nickname(s)	Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Thilagam Ponmana Chemmal Kodai Vallal Vaathiyar

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials M.G.R., was an Indian actor, politician and philanthropist who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987. He was the founder and first general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. On 19 March 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Ramachandran is regarded as one of the most influential politicians of post-independence India. Apart from politics, as a film personality he won the National Film Award, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and two Filmfare Award South.

In his youth, Ramachandran and his elder brother M. G. Chakrapani became members of a drama troupe to support their family. Influenced by Gandhian ideals, Ramachandran joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. By the late 1940s, he had graduated to lead roles. Ramachandran was one of the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan. While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in dramatic films, Gemini Ganesan was known for his romantic films, M. G. Ramachandran was popular as an action hero.

Ramachandran became a member of the C. N. Annadurai-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK party) and rose through its ranks, using his popularity as a film star to build a political base. In 1972, three years after Annadurai's death, he left the DMK, then led by M. Karunanidhi to form his own party—the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Five years later, Ramachandran steered an AIADMK-led alliance to victory in the 1977 election, routing the DMK in the process. He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the first film actor to become a chief minister in India. Except for a four-month interregnum in 1980, when his government was overthrown by the Union government, he remained as chief minister till his death in 1987, leading the AIADMK to two more electoral wins in 1980 and 1984.

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure as a result of diabetes. He died on 24 December 1987 in his Ramavaram Gardens residence in Manapakkam after a prolonged illness. His autobiography Naan Yaen Piranthaen (Why I was Born) was published in 2003.

Early life and background

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran was born in Nawalapitiya, Kandy District, British Ceylon (Srilanka) in a Malayali family to Melakkath Gopalan Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama from Palakkad, in the modern-day Indian state of Kerala. His parents were Nairs from Palakkad district, MGR further claimed to be of Tamil Kongu Vellalar descent whose ancestors had settled in Kerala centuries ago became Nairs.

Gopalan Menon died when Ramachandran was just two and a half years old. Just after the death of his father, his sister too died due to ill health. His mother had to struggle alone to bring up Ramachandran and his brother. She took the decision to return to India and went back to Kerala where she failed to get the support of her relatives. With the support of Velu Nair of Kumbakonam, Satyabhama put both her sons in school.

It was in school that Ramachandran started his acting career and joined the Boys Company drama troupe taking part in the rigorous training programmes conducted by the troupe in the areas of singing, dancing, sword fighting, diction and memory with active interest and involvement.

The challenges faced by him during his early life and childhood played an important role in shaping his character and political career. After a brief acting stint overseas with the help of Madras Kandasamy Mudaliar, during which he had played female roles, he returned to India and rejoined the Boys Company and started playing lead roles for the first time.

In his early days, Ramachandran was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Lord Sri Murugan, and his mother's favourite god Lord Sri Guruvayurappan. After joining the DMK, he turned a rationalist.

Ramachandran's first marriage was to Chitarikulam Bargavi, also known as Thangamani, who died early due to an illness. He later married for the second time, to Satyanandavati, who also died soon after marriage due to tuberculosis. Later Ramachandran married for the third time, this time to V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress who was once his leading lady and a future chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran had no biological children from any of his marriages.

Acting career

Ramachandran with his wife Janaki in Mohini (1948)

Ramachandran made his film debut in 1936, in the film Sathi Leelavathi, directed by Ellis R. Dungan, an American-born film director. Generally starring in romance or action films, Ramachandran got his breakthrough in the 1950 film written by M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose to popularity with the 1954 film Malaikkallan. He acted as hero in the Tamil film industry's first ever full length Gevacolor film, the 1955 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshawkaran in 1972.

His 1973 blockbuster Ulagam Sutrum Valiban broke the previous box office records of his films. It was one of the few films filmed abroad in those days. It was shot in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. His acting career ended in 1987 with his last film Ullagam Suthi Paru, in which he acted even though he had been diagnosed with kidney failure. Ramachandran said there was no question of ‘retirement’ for anyone associated in whichever capacity with the cine field.

Mentor

Ramachandran seen in his debut film Sathi Leelavathi

Kali N. Rathnam, a pioneer of Tamil stage drama, and K.P. Kesavan were mentors of Ramachandran in his acting career.

Political career

Ramachandran was a member of the Congress Party till 1953, and he used to wear khādī. In 1953  Ramachandran joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), or Dravidian Progressive Federation, attracted by founder C. N. Annadurai. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of DMK. He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. At the age of 50, he was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, Ramachandran became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after Muthuvel Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister.

1967 assassination attempt

The actor and politician M. R. Radha and Ramachandran had worked in 25 films together. On 12 January 1967, Radha and a producer visited Ramachandran to talk about a future film project. During the conversation, M. R. Radha stood up and shot Ramachandran in his left ear twice and then tried to shoot himself.

After the operation, Ramachandran's voice changed. Since he had been shot in his ear, Ramachandran lost hearing in his left ear and had ringing problems in the ear. These further surfaced in 1983 when he had kidney problems. When Sinnappa Devar paid his first visit to see Ramachandran at the hospital after the shooting incident he paid Ramachandran an advance for Ramachandran's next film. After getting released from the hospital and finishing Arasakattalai, Ramachandran acted in Devar's film Vivasaayee against doctors' advice. Due to the operation, Ramachandran's speaking parts in the film Kaavalkaaran were reduced. This was the only film in which Ramachandran spoke with old and new voices between scenes: Ramachandran was acting in the film Kaavalkaran in 1967 opposite J. Jayalalithaa when the shooting occurred.

Petralthaan Pillaya was the last film of Ramachandran-M. R. Radha together. Shooting ended just few days before Ramachandran was shot. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. Within hours of the shooting, some 50,000 fans had gathered at the hospital where Ramachandran had been taken. People cried in the streets. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital as fans awaited each report of his health. He was visited by a steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and bureaucracy. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for the Madras Legislative Assembly. He won twice the number of votes polled by his Congress rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly.

Differences with Karunanidhi and birth of AIADMK

In 1972, DMK leader Karunanidhi started to project his first son M. K. Muthu in a big way in film and politics, around the same time Ramachandran was accusing that corruption had grown in the party after the demise of C. N. Annadurai. Consequently, Ramachandran was expelled from the party. Upon his ouster from DMK, his volunteer Anakaputhur Ramalingam started a new party called the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Joined as a member of that party and became its leader and general secretary. later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He mobilised between 1972 and 1977 to spread and preach his party ambition with films like Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Idhayakani (1975), Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977), etc.

Continued success in TN Assembly elections

1977 Assembly elections

See also: First Ramachandran ministry

The AIADMK contested the 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative. The election was a four cornered contest between the AIADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Janata Party. The AIADMK allied itself with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), while INC(I) and Communist Party (CPI) contested as allies. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)and Janata Party (JNP) contested the elections alone. The AIADMK did not field any candidate in the Usilampatti Constituency in support of the All India Forward Bloc leader P.K. Mookiah Thevar. Similarly, the AIADMK also supported the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate M. Abdul Latheef in the Vaniyambadi Constituency. In the parliamentary elections that occurred just three months prior to these elections, there had been two major alliances – the AIADMK led AIADMK-INC-CPI coalition and the DMK led DMK-NCO-JNP-CPM coalition. But in the months that followed the parliamentary election, these coalitions fell apart. The AIADMK alliance won the elections by winning 144 seats out of 234 and Ramachandran became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Upon winning the 1977 state elections, Ramachandran became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977, remaining in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to be ministers in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK won every state assembly election as long as Ramachandran was alive. Although Annadurai and Karunanidhi had acted in stage plays in trivial roles, in their younger days, before becoming chief minister, Ramachandran was the first popular film actor to be a Chief Minister in India.

1980 Parliament and assembly elections

See also: Second Ramachandran ministry

MGR With Sedpatti Muthiah

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allied with Indian National Congress (Indira) in the 1977 parliamentary election. However, when Janata Party won the election and Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister, Ramachandran extended unconditional support to the Janata party Government. He continued his support to the Charan Singh Government in 1979. After the fall of the Charan Singh government, fresh parliamentary elections were conducted in 1980. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam struck alliance with INC(I). AIADMK and Janata Party alliance won only 2 seats in Tamil Nadu in that parliamentary election. INC(I) won the election and Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister. Congress-DMK victory in the 1980 parliamentary election emboldened their alliance and made them think that people lost their faith in Ramachandran government. DMK pressed the central government to dismiss the Tamil Nadu government using similar allegations used by Ramachandran to dismiss DMK government in 1976. The AIADMK ministry and the assembly were dismissed by the central government and fresh elections conducted in 1980. Despite their victory at the 1980 Lok Sabha polls, DMK and Indira Congress failed to win the legislative assembly election. AIADMK won the election and its leader and incumbent Chief Minister, M. G. Ramachandran was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time.

1984 assembly elections

See also: Third Ramachandran ministry

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984. During the same time, M. G. Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure and admitted into a hospital in New York City. Rajiv Gandhi assumed office immediately and this required a fresh mandate from the people. Indian National Congress (Indira) and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed an alliance and contested the election. M. G. Ramachandran was confined to the hospital. Video coverage of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital along with Indira Gandhi's assassination were stitched together by the AIADMK man in charge of campaigning, R. M. Veerappan. The video was distributed and played across all over Tamil Nadu. Rajiv Gandhi visited cyclone-hit areas in Tamil Nadu, which also boosted the alliance. The sympathy wave created by Indira's assassination, Ramachandran's illness and Rajiv Gandhi's charisma helped the alliance sweep the election.DMK leader M. Karunanidhi did not contest this election, due to the fact that the AIADMK leader Ramachandran was admitted to a hospital in the U.S. and Indira Gandhi being assassinated. It was a landslide victory for AIADMK-Congress combine which won 195 seats in assembly polls. The electoral victory proved the undying charisma of Ramachandran upon the masses.

MGR with S. S. Rajendran

Failed Merger Talks with DMK

Karunanidhi claimed on 1 April 2009 and again on 13 May 2012 that Ramachandran was ready for the merger of his party with the DMK in September 1979, with former chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik acting as the mediator. The plan failed, because Panruti Ramachandran, who was close to Ramachandran acted as a spoiler and Ramachandran changed his mind.

Criticism and controversies

Ramachandran's Official Car

Even after his death, Ramachandran proved to be very popular in the state and his rule has been cited by many of his contemporaries as best in the country. However, his rule is not without criticism. Economic data under his rule showed that annual growth and per capita income was lower than the national average and the state went from being second among 25 industrialised states in development after Kamaraj's rule to tenth. This decline, according to critics has been due to shift of government resources from power and irrigation to social and agriculture sector according to Madras Institute of Development Studies reported in 1988. In addition, the emphasis on "welfare schemes" such as free electricity to farmers, mid-day meal schemes, etc. has been seen by many as taking money away from infrastructure development that could have benefited the poor. In addition, the liquor tax imposed during his rule was considered to contribute to a regressive tax mostly affecting the poor.

Other criticisms have been on Ramachandran's centralised decision-making, which many blame for inefficiency and corruption taking hold of his administration. Some examples stated by the critics include Goondas act in 1982 and other acts that limited political criticism in the media, which led to a "police state" during his administration. While these criticisms have been in the minority, supporters of Ramachandran counter that most of these problems were a result of the party members serving Ramachandran rather than the leader himself. While he is not considered a divisive figure in the state, critics and supporters alike agree that his charisma and popularity trumped policy decisions that led to his eventual success during his tenure as chief minister.

Ramachandran's Memorial House at T. Nagar

Natwar Singh in his autobiography One Life is Not Enough alleges that Ramachandran covertly supported the cause of independent Tamil Eelam and financed the LTTE and their cadres were being given military training in Tamil Nadu. He also alleges that Ramachandran considered Jaffna an extension of Tamil Nadu and without informing the Indian Government at the time, had gifted ₹ 4 crore rupees to the LTTE.

Ramachandran has been accused of being intolerant towards the media. 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. But due to media outcry, he was released and Balasubramanian later won a case against his arrest. Earlier, Vaniga Otrumai editor A.M. Paulraj was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for his writing.

Bharat Ratna

Ramachandran's statue at the MGR Memorial

After his death in 1987, he became the third Chief Minister from the state of Tamil Nadu to receive the Bharat Ratna after C. Rajagopalachari and K. Kamaraj. The timing of the award was controversial, due to the fact that it was given so quickly after his death and he was elected as Chief Minister only 11 years before the award. Many opponents, mostly outside Tamil Nadu, criticised then ruling party INC, under Rajiv Gandhi to have influenced the selection committee to give the award to help win the upcoming 1989 Lok Sabha election. The ruling party forming a coalition with J. Jayalalithaa, the successor to Ramachandran at that time, were able to sweep Tamil Nadu, winning 38 out of 39 seats, INC were however unable to win nationally.

Commemorative coins

To commemorate Ramachandran's Birth centenary in 2017, the Ministry of Finance, Government of India decided to issue ₹100 and ₹5 coins that would bear his image as a portrait along with an inscription of "Dr. M. G. Ramachandran Birth Centenary".

Philanthropy

He personally offered relief in disasters and calamities like fire, flood, drought, and cyclones. He was the first donor during the war with China in 1962 (Sino-Indian War), donating Rs. 75,000 to the war fund. He was the founder and editor of Thai weekly magazine and Anna daily newspaper in Tamil. He was the owner of Sathya Studios and Emgeeyar Pictures (willed to charity) which produced many of the films he acted in. He had gifted a golden sword weighing half a Kilogram to Mookambika temple in Kollur, Udupi district.

Illness and death

Ramachandran's Tomb and Memorial at Marina beach, Chennai

Ever burning lamp at the M.G.R.'s Tomb and Memorial

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, which was soon followed by a mild heart attack and a massive stroke. He was rushed to the Downstate Medical Center in New York City, United States for treatment, undergoing a kidney transplant. Despite his poor health, he did contest the assembly election held later that year while still confined to the hospital, winning from Andipatti. During the election, photos of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital were published, creating a sympathy wave among the people. Ramachandran returned to Madras on 4 February 1985 following his recovery. He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the third consecutive term on 10 February 1985. The next two years and 10 months were spent in frequent trips to the United States for treatment.

Ramachandran never fully recovered from his multiple health problems and died on 24 December 1987 at 3:30 am in his Ramavaram Gardens residence in Manapakkam after his prolonged illness. He was 70 years old. His death sparked a frenzy of looting and rioting over the state. Shops, cinemas, buses and other public and private property became the target of violence. The police resorted to issuing shoot-at-sight orders. Schools and colleges immediately announced holidays until the situation came under control. Violence during the funeral alone left 129 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. Young and married women allegedly shaved their heads bald and dressed like widows. Men whipped themselves until they bled to death. There were some extreme instances of people burning themselves to death and burning villages.

His body was kept in state at Rajaji Hall for two days for the public to pay their respect. On 25 December 1987, his remains were buried at the northern end of Marina Beach, now called MGR Memorial, adjacent to the Anna Memorial.

This state of affairs continued for almost a month across Tamil Nadu. Around one million people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and people had their heads tonsured. After his death, his political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was split between his wife V. N. Janaki Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa; they merged in 1989.

In 1989 Dr. M. G. R. Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired was established at the erstwhile residence M.G.R. Thottam, Ramapuram, in accordance with his last will and testament written in January 1987. His official residence at 27, Arcot Street, T. Nagar is now M.G.R. Memorial House and is open for public viewing. His film studio, Sathya Studios, has been converted into a women's college in the name of Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women.

Legacy

M. G. Ramachandran in 1990 Stamp of India

M. G. Ramachandran in 2017 Stamp of India

After his electoral success with in 1977, the DMK has not yet returned to power in Tamil Nadu until his death. On 19 March 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously honoured with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. He is widely acknowledged as "Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary Leader) in Tamil Nadu. One of the major roads in Chennai was named in his honour, Dr. M.G.R. Salai—it was previously called Gokula Kannan Road, and a statue of M. G. Ramachandran now stands there and M.G.R. Nagar, a residential neighbourhood was named after him in Chennai, Salem Central Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Central Bus Stand and Omalur Main Road was renamed M.G.R. Salai in Salem, Tirunelveli New Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Bus Stand in Tirunelveli and two parks were named Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Park and M.G.R. Park in Thoothukudi.

A life-size statue of Ramachandran was unveiled on 7 December 2006 in the Parliament House by then Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee in his honour and the function was attended by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa and notable politicians.

The central government issued a commemorative coin of ₹ 100 and ₹ 5 denomination to mark the centenary celebrations of him on 17 January 2017 in Chennai.

On 31 October 2017, Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the Mattuthavani Bus Stand in Madurai as M.G.R. Bus Stand to honour him.

On 9 October 2018, Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Chennai as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Terminus to honour him.

On 5 April 2019, Government of India renamed the Chennai Central in Chennai as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station to honour him.

On 31 July 2020, Central Metro in Chennai has been renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro by Government of Tamil Nadu to honour him.

On 17 October 2021, the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai has been renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Maaligai by party leaders in memory of the party's founder.

In popular culture

• Iruvar (1997) by Mani Ratnam is based on the rivalry between Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi. Malayalam actor Mohanlal played Anandan (Ramachandran).
• In the 2019 streaming series Queen, Indrajith Sukumaran portrayed G. M. Ravichandran (fictional adaptation of M.G.R.).
• In the film Thalaivii (2021), Ramachandran was portrayed by Arvind Swami.

Filmography

Main article: M. G. Ramachandran filmography

Awards and honours

Honours

Year	Event / Venue	Award	Work	Ref
1974	The World University (Arizona)	Honorary doctorate	For the contribution to Indian Cinema
1987	University of Madras		For the contribution to Tamil Cinema
1988	Government of India	Bharat Ratna	For the contribution to public affairs

Other cinema awards

Year	Event	Award / Category	Film / Work	Ref
1965	Filmfare Awards South	Special Jury award	Enga Veettu Pillai
1968	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Actor	Kudiyirundha Koyil
1969		Best Film	Adimaippenn
	Filmfare Awards South	Best Film
1971	National Film Awards	Best Actor	Rickshawkaran

See also

• M. G. Ramachandran's unrealised projects
• First Ramachandran ministry
• Second Ramachandran ministry
• Third Ramachandran ministry

External links

• M. G. Ramachandran at IMDb
• M. G. Ramachandran at Rotten Tomatoes
• M.G. Ramchandran: Jewel of the Masses
• The Hindu – Politics and Suicides in TN^[usurped]
• All about Dr MGR
• MGR Memorial Charitable Trust
• MGR monthly magazine+News portal
• Kandy-born Actor-Politico "MGR" Reigned Supreme in Tamil Nadu Cinema and Politics-by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Archived 20 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine
• "Biography of M G Ramachandran". Archived from the original on 12 December 2021 – via YouTube.