Emperor of Tamil Cinema

In this Blog I am going to write about MGR's box office records. His first film released in 1936, though he acted in a small role, his first lead role came in 1947. His fully acted last film was released in 1978. His career spans from 1935 to 1977, 42 years. If we take into account from 1947 to 1977 he only acted in leading roles no guest appearance. Nearly one generation, 30 years as a Hero.

Total number of films he acted is 136 and another two films were released 3 years after his death (1990). Totaling 138 films. MGR films success percentage is higher than his counterparts. Out of 138 films 12 were Silver Jubilee (25 weeks), 74 were 100 days, 51 were average and 1 Flop. Every year his film is the Box Office record creator. Sometimes 2 of his films occupy the 1^st and 2^nd slot. Let us see the Tabular Column for his Box Office cinemas.

Year	Box Office Film Name	Days	Total MGR starred films released
1950	Manthiri Kumari	100	2
1951	Marmayogi	100	4
1952	En Thangai	352	3
1953			4
1954	Malaikallan	150	2
1955	Alibabavum 40 thieves	150	1
1956	Madurai Veeran	175	3
1957	Chakravarthy Thirumagal	100	4
1958	Nadodi Mannan	175	1
1959			1
1960			3
1961	Thirudathe	100	5
1962	Thaiyaikatha Thanaiyan	100	6
1963	Periyea Edathu Pen	100	9
1964	Panakara Kudumbam	100	7
1965	Enga Vetu Pillai	175	7
1966	Anba Vaa	175	9
1967	Kavalkaran	100	4
1968	Kudieruntha Kovil	100	8
1969	Adimai Pen	175	2
1970	Matukara Velan	175	5
1971	Rickshawkaran	175	4
1972	Nalla Neram	100	6
1973	Ulagam Sutrum Valiban	210	2
1974	Urimai Kural	234	3
1975	Idhayakani	100	4
1976	Nethiku Thalaivanagu	100	3
1977	Meenava Nanban	150	3
1978			1

In 1953, 1959 and 1960 slot was filled by Sivaji Ganesan starrer film and in 1978 it was by Rajni and Kamal starrer film Pathinaru Vayathinela.

MGR needed 25 years to reach his 50^th film! And completed 86 films in just 16 years. The above facts show his continuous success as Highest Grosser from 1950 to 1958. A small break of 2 years his transition from Mythological to Social films. Then on from 1961to 1977, 16 years and attaining the exalted post of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu his films broke record every year. And also MGR keeps the record for most dual acted roles in Tamil Cinema.

One can say that MGR does not have any competition. He had more competitor than any one else in the World. I am not exaggerating. In 1950s to 1960s MGR competitors were Sivaji Ganesan, S.S.Rajendran and Gemini Ganesan. From 1960s to end of 1970s the above said actors plus Ravichandran (who was called Silver jubilee Hero), C.L.Anandan (for some years), Jaishankar a.k.a. South Indian James Bond, Muthuraman. From 1970s MGR had to face stiff competition from Young Heroes who were dominating Tamil film Siva Kumar, Rajnikanth, Kamalhassan, Vijay Kumar, Jai Ganesh etc. The other obstacle is from Political side, it was Congress from 1953 to 1967 and DMK from 1971 to 1977 although MGR was expelled from DMK in 1972 the problem started in early 1971. The real competition was between MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, who had more fans than MGR. But the contest always ended in favour of MGR.

Can anyone point out any Actor in Indian Cinema as well as in World Cinema for continuous record in Box Office? To my knowledge there is no one, except one The Emperor of Tamil Cinema.