Milestones
- Sathi Leelavathi (1936) directed Ellis R.Dungan
- Acted in a film titled Chaya as hero which was not released.
- Rajakumari (1947) directed A.S.A.Sami - was a breakthrough and he was noticed by the public.
- Nallavan Vaalvaan (1961) by P.Neelakandan - 50th film
- Oli Vilakku (1968) by Sanakya - 100th film
- Siriththu Vaazhavendum (1974) directed by S.S.Balan- 125th film
- Maduraiyai Meetta Sundara Paandiyan (1978)directed by P.Neelakandan ( last film)
- Only two of his films were given an ‘A’ certificate
- Koondukkili(1954) - Only movie he had starred with Sivaji Ganesan
- Ulagam Sutrum Valiban(1973) - Shot mostly in Foreign locations
- “Unnai Vida Matten” supposed to be the last film that was never released.
Tamil Movies
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Sati Leelavati | |
| 1936 | Iru Sahodarargal | |
| 1938 | Dakshayagnam | |
| 1938 | Veera Jagathis | |
| 1939 | Maya Machindra | |
| 1939 | Prahalatha | |
| 1941 | Ashok Kumar | |
| 1941 | Vedavathi | aka Seethajananam |
| 1942 | Dhaasippen | aka Jodhi Malar |
| 1942 | Tamizhariyum Perumal | |
| 1943 | Harichandra | |
| 1945 | Meera | |
| 1945 | Saalivaahanan | |
| 1946 | Sri Murugan | |
| 1947 | Paithiyakaaran | |
| 1947 | Rajakumaari | MGR’s first movie as Hero |
| 1948 | Abhimanyu | |
| 1948 | Mohini | |
| 1948 | Raja Mukthi | |
| 1949 | Rathnakumar | |
| 1950 | Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi | |
| 1950 | Mandhiri Kumaari | |
| 1951 | Marmayogi | |
| 1951 | Sarvadhigari | |
| 1952 | Andhaman Kaidhi | |
| 1952 | Kumari | |
| 1953 | En Thangai | |
| 1953 | Jenova | First Malayalam film |
| 1953 | Naam | A very old movie but an answer to the question “Can MGR act like Sivaji Ganesan with great emotion and long dialogue?” |
| 1954 | Panakkaari | |
| 1954 | Malaikkallan | Inspired by Namakkal V.Ramalingam’s novel. Produced in 6 languages viz. Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Sinhalese. Won President Award |
| 1954 | Koondukkili | Only movie starred with Sivaji Ganesan |
| 1955 | Gul-E-Bagaavali | |
| 1956 | Alibabavum Narpadhu Thirudargalum | First colour film |
| 1956 | Madhurai Veeran | An ancient story believed to have occurred when Nayaks (Andhra) ruled parts of Tamil Nadu |
| 1956 | Thaaikkuppin Thaaram | |
| 1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | |
| 1957 | Mahadhevi | |
| 1957 | Pudhumai Pithan | |
| 1957 | Rajarajan | |
| 1958 | Nadodi Mannan | Produced and Directed by MGR, a movie that seeded a change in Tamilnad’s political history |
| 1959 | Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali | |
| 1960 | Baghdadh Thirudan | |
| 1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | |
| 1960 | Raja Dev Singh | |
| 1961 | Arasilangumari | |
| 1961 | Nallavan Vazhvan | |
| 1961 | Sabaash Mapillai | |
| 1961 | Thaai Sollai Thattadhe | |
| 1961 | Thirudadhe | |
| 1962 | Kudumba Thalaivan | |
| 1962 | Maadappura | |
| 1962 | Paasam | |
| 1962 | Raani Samyuktha | |
| 1962 | Thaayai Kaatha Thanayan | |
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | |
| 1963 | Anandha Jodhi | |
| 1963 | Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum | |
| 1963 | Kalai Arasi | |
| 1963 | Kaanji Thalaivan | |
| 1963 | Koduthu Vaithaval | |
| 1963 | Needhikkuppin Paasam | |
| 1963 | Panathottam | |
| 1963 | Parisu | |
| 1963 | Periya Idathu Pen | |
| 1964 | Dheiva Thaai | |
| 1964 | En Kadamai | |
| 1964 | Padagotti | |
| 1964 | Panakkara Kudumbam | |
| 1964 | Thaayin Madiyil | |
| 1964 | Thozhilali | |
| 1964 | Vettaikkaaran | |
| 1965 | Aasai Mugam | |
| 1965 | Aayirathil Oruvan | |
| 1965 | Enga Veettu Pillai | |
| 1965 | Kalangarai Vilakkam | |
| 1965 | Kanni Thaai | |
| 1965 | Panam Padaithavan | |
| 1965 | Thazhampoo | |
| 1966 | Anbe Vaa | |
| 1966 | Naan Aanaiyittal | |
| 1966 | Mugaraasi | |
| 1966 | Nadodi | |
| 1966 | Chandhrodhayam | |
| 1966 | Parakkum Paavai | |
| 1966 | Petraalthaan Pillaiya | |
| 1966 | Thaali Baagiyam | |
| 1966 | Thanippiravi | |
| 1967 | Arasakattalai | |
| 1967 | Kaavalkaaran | |
| 1967 | Thaaiku Thalaimagan | |
| 1967 | Vivasayee | |
| 1968 | Ragasiya Police 115 | |
| 1968 | Thaer Thiruvizha | |
| 1968 | Kudiyirundha Koyil | karthik |
| 1968 | Kannan En Kadhalan | |
| 1968 | Pudhiya Boomi | |
| 1968 | Kanavan | |
| 1968 | Oli Vilakku | Announced as MGR’s 100th film |
| 1968 | Kadhal Vaaganam | |
| 1969 | Adimai Pen | unusual plot set in a fictional medieval European kingdom |
| 1969 | Nam Nadu | |
| 1970 | Maattukaara Velan | |
| 1970 | En Annan | |
| 1970 | Thalaivan | |
| 1970 | Thedi Vandha Mappillai | |
| 1970 | Engal Thangam | |
| 1971 | Kumarikkottam | |
| 1971 | Rickshawkaran | MGR got Best Actor National Award |
| 1971 | Neerum Neruppum | |
| 1971 | Oru Thaai Makkal | first film with damaged voice due to inset bullet wound |
| 1972 | Sange Muzhangu | |
| 1972 | Nalla Neram | |
| 1972 | Raaman Thediya Seedhai | |
| 1972 | Annamitta Kai | |
| 1972 | Naan Yen Pirandhen | |
| 1972 | Idhaya Veenai | |
| 1973 | Ulagam Sutrum Valiban | MGR’s second venture as Director, Shot mostly in Foreign location |
| 1973 | Pattikaattu Ponnaiya | |
| 1974 | Netru Indru Naalai | |
| 1974 | Urimai Kural | |
| 1974 | Sirithu Vazha Vendum | |
| 1974 | Meenava Nanban | |
| 1975 | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | |
| 1975 | Naalai Namadhe | |
| 1975 | Idhayakkani | |
| 1975 | Pallandu Vazhga | |
| 1976 | Needhikku Thalaivanangu | |
| 1976 | Uzhaikkum Karangal | |
| 1976 | Oorukku Uzhaippavan | |
| 1977 | Navarathnam | |
| 1978 | Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan | |
| 1990 | Avasara Police 100 | A film in which Bhagyaraj uses an old unfinished MGR movie as a flashback in the plot. |
Other language movies
- Hindi - Ektha raja(1951)
- Telugu - Sarvathikari(1951)
- Malayalam - Jenova(1953)
Own Produced Movies
- 1958 - Nadodi Mannan - Directed by MGR, a movie that seeded a change in Tamilnadu’s political history
- 1969 - Adimai Pen - unusual plot set in a fictional medieval European kingdom
- 1973 - Ulagam Sutrum Valiban - MGR’s second venture as Director, Shot mostly in Foreign location
Policies & formula
- Would never smoke or take alcoholic drinks
- Would never physically or mentally abuse women
- Robin Hood formula—champion of the underdog, who is truthful, generous and totally honest.
MGR legacy still alive!
| The evergreen classic of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, Ayirathil Oruvan is rocking the City again. This yesteryear blockbuster featuring MGR and Jayalalitha set records at the box office in the sixties. It was made almost four decades ago and it portrayed MGR as an Icon of Tamil cinema. Nearly five theaters are screening this film in the city and the number would cross dozen auditoriums if sub-urban areas are included. Padmini Pictures, the original producer of the film is re- releasing this classic today and hundreds of Thalaivar’s die hard fans are seen eagerly waiting in the long queues before theaters on the opening day. |
Balakrishnan, the Manager of Abhirami Mega Mall said that all the tickets for the first day show have been sold out at Annai Abhirami. Last year, Nadodi Mannan was re released by Divya Films and it completed 50 days with full house shows in many theaters including Albert and Bharath. Some of the fans of MGR organized big events with the yesteryear heroines of MGR in the theaters where Nadodi Mannan was released.
No doubt, MGR legacy is still alive and always profitable to the theater owners .
