Mass heroes still go the MGR way

It might have been 39 years since his last film released and 30 years since he died. But the legacy of the legend, M.G. Ramachandran, more so identified with the famous three letters ‘MGR’, lives on and doesn’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. In every hero of Tamil cinema, there is an MGR! Most of the cine heroes wish to be like him. MGR’s huge success formula —  truth always triumphs in the end — is still followed by most  mass heroes like Rajinikanth, Vijay and others like Ramarajan and Sathyaraj. Also, the heroes of today still take inspiration from the attributes of his characters — a messiah of masses, a superhero, guardian of women and family values.

The fad for using the mannerisms of MGR and his films by the Gen X actors of today and the penchant for using MGR’s blockbuster film titles are in vogue. With MGR’s 100th birth centenary being celebrated with pomp and festivity all over the world, we look at why MGR’s success mantra still prevails among the mass heroes of K’town.

MGR’s spectacular rise in movies should be attributed to his wisdom for carefully ascertaining the right script for himself. The lead protagonist was always portrayed as an epitome of virtue who raises his voice for the downtrodden and ensures that justice prevails in the end. The scripts were message oriented for the society, at the same time, they had a mother-son relationship, brother-sister bonding, philosophical songs apart from sensuous heroines, who would romance MGR in colourful costumes during scintillating duets.

The magic spell of the MGR formula can be clearly seen even today. Ilayathalapathy Vijay not only had a penchant for MGR’s blockbuster tiles (like Vettaikkaran in 2009), he adopted MGR’s successful mantra in every film he did after Velayudham. He had earlier told this newspaper, “The iconic MGR formula is a tried and tested one for success. It holds relevant even today. If masses are content with it, I don’t think there’s anything wrong in following that.”

Even in his latest Pongal offering Bairavaa, there’s a reference of the MGR song Buddhan Yesu Gandhi Pirandhadhu, besides incorporating the MGR style.
Even Rajinikanth who initially played negative characters, fell upon the star formula and fashioned himself in MGR’s image in films like Annai Oru Aalayam, Anbukku Naan Adimai, Uzhaippali, to name a few, when he transformed into a mass hero.

Veteran actor Sathyaraj is a great fan and staunch follower of the legendary star. A decade back, he even wished to act as MGR — free of cost — if anyone came forward to make a biopic of the late actor! He would always say that most of the Tamil movies would have the influence of MGR’s success mantra. The chartbuster song Poo Mazhai Thoovi Vasanthangal from MGR’s Ninaithadhai Mudippavan, was remixed and used in Sathyaraj’s film titled Thangam.

The Baahubali actor still has the karlakattai — a piece of fitness equipment — which was gifted to him by MGR. “I still do work-outs with it every morning as it keeps the forearms and chest in shape. I believe that the karlakattai was the reason for MGR’s fitness too. I do update myself with all trends, but MGR is the only person who I look up to and he will always be my favourite actor,” Sathyaraj said in an earlier interview.

The actor-turned-politician Ramarajan, also followed the footsteps of MGR in his flicks. MGR’s powerful titles are also highly sought after by the Tamil film industry. “Merely keeping MGR’s titles does not bring success to any film. It may create the much-needed buzz initially. Unless the content is good, the film will turn out to be a dud and will bring disrepute to MGR. The star had a knack for choosing titles that go with his script,” opines Sura, a writer and trade analyst.

Apart from this, actors also love to essay the character of a fervent MGR fan in their films, like in the case of actor Vimal, who donned the role of Idhayakani, (which is also the title of MGR’s classic) in Desingu Raja, as a fan of the matinee idol.