M. G. Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials "MGR", was an Indian actor, director and producer who had an extensive career primarily in Tamil language films. After starring in numerous commercially successful films from the 1950s to the early 1970s, he has continued to hold a matinée idol status in Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran made his debut in Ellis R. Dungan's 1936 film "Sathi Leelavathi", where he played a police inspector. He followed it with a string of minor appearances and supporting roles in many films, notably "Ashok Kumar" (1941), where he played the general of emperor Ashoka's army, and as a captain in Dungan's "Meera" (1945).