MGR is a phenomenon mainly due to his unparalleled success, both in cinema and politics.
Though MGR made his film debut in "Sathi Leelavathy" in 1936, he shot into fame with films like "Manthiri Kumari" (1950) and "Malai Kallan", (in the picture) released in 1954.
MGR and Kamal Haasan in "Ananda Jothi", which was released in 1963.
MGR-Saroja Devi starrer ‘Padagotti,’ released in 1964, ran for over 100 days and was a hit. The two were paired on together in 26 films.
Jayalalithaa first played opposite MGR in "Aayirathil Oruvan", which was released in 1965, and continued to pair with him in 28 films. "It is not an exaggeration to say that the film paved the way for my entry into politics”, she had said.
Despite their on-screen rivalry, MGR and Sivaji shared a special bond. It's rare coincidence that 'Congressman' MGR followed C.N. Annadurai and joined the DMK and Sivaji became a follower of K. Kamaraj.
MGR with M.R. Radha in 'Petraalthaan Pillaiya' (1966). MGR was shot by the fellow actor at the former’s residence on January 12, 1967,nearly a month after the release of "Petralthaan pillaiya".
The iconic picture of MGR sitting on a hospital bed after he was shot was widely circulated during the 1967 Assembly polls and obviously the DMK trounced the Congress to form a new government under Annadurai.
The matinee idol carefully cultivated his image by projecting the principles of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and his guru Annadurai. A still from "Rickshawkaran".
MGR's 'Ulagam Sutrum Valiban', released in 1973 after he founded the AIADMK, is one of the biggest box office hits in the history of Tamil cinema. It ran for 25 weeks, not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka, Canada, the U.S and the U.K.
MGR with Periyar, Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi at a DMK meet in then Madras.
M.G. Ramachandran being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu by the Governor, Prabhudas Patwari, in Madras on June 30, 1977.
M.G. Ramachandran addresses a massive gathering on Anna Salai after a 14-member AIADMK Ministry, headed by him, was sworn in on June 30, 1977.
MGR's administration offered several freebies to the poor, and the one that is still talked about is the noon meal scheme, designed in 1982.
Doctors and nurses share a lighter moment with MGR at a hospital in Brooklyn, New York, where he was recovering from his illness 1984.
MGR was instrumental in introducing Jayalalithaa to politics. Here, he greets her at the World MGR Mandram conference in Madurai in 1982.
Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, who ruled Tamil Nadu continuously from 1977 to 1987, died on December 24, 1987, at the age of 70.