TN CM kickstarts shooting of biopic on late MGR

Palaniswami formally tapped the clapper board in the presence of Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur Raju, Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, K Pandiarajan, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan at a function at the MGR Film City here.

The movie, produced by Ramana Communications and directed by Balakrishnan, will trace the history of the late chief minister.

Balakrishnan had earlier directed the biography 'Kamaraj' on the former Tamil Nadu chief minister, which had actor Sathyaraj essaying the lead role.

Born as Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran in 1917, MGR as he is fondly called, debuted in the film 'Sathi Leelavathi'.

He acted in several films which were blockbusters, including 'Manthiri Kumari' penned by DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, 'Malaikkallan' and also in 'Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum.'

Some hits include 'Pallandu Vaazhga', 'Ulagam Sutrum Valiban', 'Enga Vittu Pillai' and a host of other flicks.

After joining the late Annadurai-led DMK, MGR rose through the party ranks before splitting with the current party Chief Karunanidhi.

Ramachandran floated AIADMK in 1972 and later served as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister under the party headed by him.

He passed away on December 24, 1987.