Making his film debut in 1936, in the film Sati Leelavathi, MGR did not attain great popularity until his role in the 1947 film Rajakumari. For the next twenty-five years he remained one of the biggest celebrities in Tamil cinema. His star power did not diminish, even after he was shot by fellow actor MR Radha, affecting his ability to speak clearly.

He was a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK (Dravidian Peoples Party). In 1972 he had a falling out with the DMK leadership, and he went on to form the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravidian Peoples Party). He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, a post he kept even after he suffered a paralytic stroke in 1984. MGR died in office in 1987.

He has been elevated to demi-god status among many Tamil people, and a temple has been erected in Chennai honoring him.

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