M.G. Ramachandran, known widely as MGR, was a Tamil film star who became one of India’s most dominant state politicians. He served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a decade, after splitting from the DMK to found the AIADMK.
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Modern History · ModHist0259
M.G. Ramachandran
From Film Star to Chief Minister
1936
Debuts on screen in Sathi Leelavathi, begins a 130-film career.
Oct 1972
Expelled from the DMK, over corruption allegations he himself raised.
1977
His new party, AIADMK, sweeps the polls; he becomes Chief Minister.
1 Jul 1982
Launches the Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme, feeding millions of children.
A Screen Image, In Office
MGR was the first film actor in India to become a Chief Minister — leading Tamil Nadu for a decade, until his death in office in 1987.
From Screen to the DMK SplitNeed to Know
- M.G. Ramachandran was born Maruthur Gopalan Menon Ramachandran, on 17 January 1917.
- He was born in Nawalapitiya, near Kandy, in British Ceylon, to a Malayali family.
- He acted in his first film, Sathi Leelavathi, in 1936, and went on to act in over 130 films.
- He joined the DMK in 1953, under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai.
- In October 1972, he publicly alleged that corruption had grown inside the DMK, and demanded ministers declare their assets.
- The DMK, then led by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, expelled him: temporarily on 10 October 1972, and permanently four days later.
- On 17 October 1972, he founded his own party, the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK).
- In September 1976, the party was renamed the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
- The AIADMK won the 1977 Tamil Nadu election, making him Chief Minister for the first time.
The CM YearsGood to Know
- He served three terms as Chief Minister: 1977-80, 1980-85, and 1985 until his death in office in 1987.
- He died on 24 December 1987, in Chennai, from cardiac arrest.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, posthumously, on 19 March 1988.
- MGR was the first film actor in India to become Chief Minister of a state.
- Before his 1972 expulsion, his fan-club network, the “MGR Manrams,” claimed around three lakh members. The DMK’s own total party membership was about six lakh at the time, showing how large his independent following already was.
- On 1 July 1982, he launched the Chief Minister’s Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme, feeding millions of schoolchildren.
- Actress J. Jayalalithaa, his co-star in 28 films, later followed him into active politics.
- She went on to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu herself, after his death.
Test Yourself
Screen Image and LegacyGreat to Know
- Before entering politics, MGR was already known for playing heroic, morally upright characters on screen.
- These roles helped shape his public image as a protector of the poor, once he became a politician.
- He remains one of the very few Indian film actors to have led a state government for a decade.
Current Affairs
- On 17 January 2026, Tamil Nadu marked MGR’s 109th birth anniversary with events across the state. (Source: All India Radio News, 17 Jan 2026)
- On the same day, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami released the first part of the party’s election manifesto. (Source: All India Radio News, 17 Jan 2026)
- Its promises included two-wheelers for five lakh women, and expanding the rural jobs guarantee from 100 to 150 days of work. (Source: All India Radio News, 17 Jan 2026)
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