M. G. Ramachandran (1917

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Biography

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known by his initials M. G. R., was an Indian politician, actor, 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 general secretary of the political party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). He is regarded as one of the most influential politicians of post-independent India, and was known by the epithets Makkal Thilagam and Puratchi Thalaivar. In March 1988, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

Timeline

The story of M. G. Ramachandran, told in moments.

1950 Life

Becomes a leading man in Tamil cinema. Over three decades, he stars in 136 films. He almost always plays the hero. The roles blur into politics. His fans don't see a difference between MGR on screen and MGR at the rally.

Did 136 films blur the line between hero and politician? Was always playing the hero a choice or an expectation? Did your fans see MGR or the character?

1967 Event

Shot in the neck by a co-star, M. R. Radha, during a personal dispute. The bullet stays lodged near his ear for the rest of his life. He survives. Radha goes to prison. MGR's popularity doubles overnight.

How do you survive being shot in the neck by a co-star? Did the bullet lodged near your ear remind you every day? Did your popularity doubling overnight feel deserved?

1977 Event

Elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Wins by a landslide. Introduces the Midday Meal Scheme, providing free lunch to schoolchildren. The program feeds millions and is copied nationwide. It's arguably the most consequential school nutrition program in the developing world.

Was the Midday Meal Scheme your real legacy? Did feeding millions of schoolchildren feel more important than cinema? How do you win a landslide and then actually govern?

1987 Death

Dies in Chennai after a long illness. He'd governed from a hospital bed for the last three years. Thirty people die in the riots and suicides that follow. Two million attend the funeral procession.

Did governing from a hospital bed for three years feel heroic or desperate? What do two million people at your funeral tell you? Were the riots and suicides after your death flattering or tragic?

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