MGR Book

Vijaya Publications have released a paper back edition of MGR’s experience in filming “Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban” as “எம்.ஜி.ஆர், எழுதிய உலகம் சுற்றும் வாலிபன் உருவான கதை”. MGR wrote his overseas film shooting experience in Bommai Magazine from July 1971 to September 1972 titled “திரை கடலோடித் திரைப்படம் எடுத்தோம்”

 

 

I was searching this article for several years because this is the only literary work completed by MGR. All other works such as his Biography நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்?, என் காதலி etc were unfinished due to several reasons to name one is, after the party formation in 1972.

 

 

This book contains about 14 chapters it starts from getting permission from the Indian Government and how they procrastinated.

 

 

 

MGR narrates about how many of his fans were waiting near the Airport and the same when the plane takes off that he saw only the crowd beneath. Apart from MGR Fans the people who came to wish his success are N.T.Ramarao, Director Krishnan Panju, Actors Srikanth and Gemini Ganesan, Director and Producer Banthalu and also the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Karunanidhi.

 

 

In the second chapter MGR tells about the outline of the story real life characters of his Heroines from Chandrakala, Manjula and Latha. And also he tells us how much responsibility he has in take care the whole crew which appears a Himalayan task at that time.

 

We will come to know about the hilarity of Nagesh and Asokan in Plane. How many airplanes they changed to reach Osaka for Expo 70.

 

 

The first shot in Expo 70 was taken on 8.9.1970 and the next day is the “Ulagam azhagu” song was shot he explains how the shot was done and how many hours the crew spent in taking that particular first stanza of the song.

 

 

MGR also mentions the part played by Director P.Neelakandan in filming Ulagam Sutrum Valiban and MGR highlights the one take of MGR, Chandrakala, Nagesh, Asokan and MGR, Manjula in Expo 70 and he describes the situation how other actors co-operated.

 

The book ends with Hong Kong shots and how a Indian helped MGR in making the song and scenes in his own house.

 

The book has several unseen images, deleted scenes from Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, behind the scenes. I have upload some of the images for you.

 

A special mention is about the writing skill of MGR I have read some of his literary works in every work his writing skill is like conversing with us and not just a write up. This book is no different. When we read a chapter in some places our mind will ask a question, that question will be in the next sentence and when MGR explains that question some times we find a doubt and that same doubt will be in next line. It appears that we are not reading the book, it is like MGR talking to us.

 

 

All MGR fans should buy this book. The cost of the book is Rs.120/- sold in Major Book Stalls.