The following is a list of unproduced M. G. Ramachandran projects in alphabetical order. During his career, Indian actor-filmmaker M. G. Ramachandran had worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his acting commitments or direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell or were officially cancelled.
The film, directed by C. V. Sridhar, began shooting in the 1960s, but was shelved when Ramachandran walked out after only a few days of shooting. [3]
The film was written by A. K. Velan and was to be directed by Masthan. Ramachandran's brother Chakrapani produced this film, which got shelved after some progress, but Chakrapani later revived this film as Arasa Kattalai with Ramachandran returning. [4]
The film was to be produced under the Pakshiraja banner, but failed to commence shoot. [5] [6]
In 1966, Ramachandran and J. P. Chandrababu came together for a film titled Maadi Veettu Ezhai, to be produced and directed by the latter. Although the film began shooting, it was shelved due to differences between the two. [8] [9]
The film was abandoned after Ramachandran quit the film industry to enter politics. [10]
The film was to have been a sequel to Ramachandran's Nadodi Mannan (1958), but never came to fruition. [11]
The film was to be based on the life of Jesus. Shooting began, but ceased permanently after Ramachandran backed out. [12] The film was to be shot in full length Eastmancolor and release in year 1961.
In 1958, Ramachandran announced Ponniyin Selvan, a film adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's novel of the same name. Ramachandran bought the film rights to the novel for ₹10,000 (equivalent to ₹960,000orUS$12,000 in 2023), and would produce, direct and star in the adaptation, which would feature an ensemble cast including M G Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Savitri, B. Saroja Devi, M. N. Rajam, T. S. Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar, O. A. K. Thevar and V. Nagayya. Before shooting could begin, Ramachandran met with an accident, and the wound took six months to heal; Ramachandran was unable to continue with the film despite renewing the rights four years later. [13] [14]
The film would have featured Ramachandran in dual roles, but was shelved after Venus Pictures announced a film with the same name starring Sivaji Ganesan. [16]
Sivagangai Seemai is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by Kannadasan. Based on the life of the Maruthu Pandiyars, the film stars S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 19 May 1959.
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language fantasy swashbuckler film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi, with K. Sarangapani, P. S. Veerappa, K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Rajam, Sushila, Vidhyavathi, and M. G. Chakrapani in supporting roles. It revolves around Alibaba, a woodcutter who becomes wealthy after finding a secret treasure cave, but must keep his source of wealth a secret to lead a peaceful life.
Baghdad Thirudan is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Vyjayanthimala, with M. N. Nambiar, T. S. Balaiah, T. R. Ramachandran, S. A. Ashokan, M. N. Rajam, A. Sandhya and S. N. Lakshmi in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1924 American film The Thief of Bagdad and was inspired by 1951 film The Prince Who Was a Thief. The film was released on 6 May 1960.
Nadodi Mannan is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language action adventure film directed by M. G. Ramachandran in his debut as a filmmaker. He stars in dual roles alongside P. Bhanumathi, M. N. Rajam and B. Saroja Devi. P. S. Veerappa, M. N. Nambiar, M. G. Chakrapani, T. K. Balachandran and Chandrababu play supporting roles. The film revolves around a king being replaced by a look-alike after getting abducted on the eve of his coronation. The look-alike begins to implement social and economic reforms to uplift the poor which irks the kingdom's high priest, who has kidnapped the very person the look-alike resembles. The rest of the film shows how the look-alike saves the man he impersonates and defeats the high priest.
Panathottam is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by K. Shankar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 11 January 1963.
Aayirathil Oruvan is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with M. N. Nambiar, Manohar, Nagesh, S. V. Ramadas, Vijayalakshmi and Madhavi in supporting roles. It revolves around a doctor who is sold into slavery for rebelling against the dictator of his nation, and later forced into a life of piracy.
Enga Veettu Pillai is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language masala film written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy and directed by Chanakya. A remake of his own 1964 Telugu film Ramudu Bheemudu, it stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with S. V. Ranga Rao, M. N. Nambiar, Rathna and Pandari Bai in supporting roles. The film is about two identical but contrasting twins who were separated at birth, and what happens when they cross paths.
M. G. Ramachandran, 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).
Uthama Puthiran is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language historical action film directed by T. Prakash Rao. Co-produced by C. V. Sridhar, who also wrote the screenplay, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, with M. K. Radha, M. N. Nambiar, K. A. Thangavelu, Ragini and Kannamba in supporting roles. It revolves around twins who are separated at birth; one grows up as a kind and honest man, while the other grows up as a greedy and arrogant man.
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language science fiction film directed and co-produced by M. G. Ramachandran. The film stars Ramachandran, Chandrakala, Manjula and Latha. It revolves around a scientist who discovers an energy harnessing formula, and seeks to keep his research from being abused by a rival scientist.
Adimai Penn is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language action adventure film directed by K. Shankar and produced by M. G. Ramachandran and R. M. Veerappan. The film stars Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with Ashokan, Pandari Bai, Rajasree, Manohar, Chandrababu and Cho in supporting roles. It revolves around the efforts of a deceased king's son to free the enslaved people of a kingdom from their tyrant king.
Arasa Kattalai is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language historical action film, written and directed by M. G. Chakrapani, starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with Jayalalithaa, M. N. Nambiar and S. A. Ashokan in supporting roles. It was released on 19 May 1967.
Navarathinam is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language road film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan, his final film. It stars M. G. Ramachandran, Latha, Jayachitra and Zarina Wahab. The film was released on 5 March 1977, and failed commercially.
Nadodi is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language film, produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi and Bharathi in her acting debut. It was released on 14 April 1966, and became a modest commercial success.
Kudiyirundha Koyil is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language spy film directed by K. Shankar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Rajasree, with L. Vijayalakshmi, Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar, Sundarrajan, V. K. Ramasamy, S. V. Ramadas and Nagesh in supporting roles. A remake of the 1962 Hindi film China Town, it revolves around twins who become separated as children: one who grows up to be a criminal, and the other who is tasked with apprehending him.
Naalai Namadhe is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Latha, Chandramohan, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, and M. N. Nambiar. A remake of the 1973 Hindi film Yaadon Ki Baaraat, it revolves around three brothers being separated in their childhood due to the actions of a killer, and growing up to live separate lives. The film was released on 4 July 1975 and became a success.
Vidivelli is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi and M. N. Rajam; Ganesan also produced it under Prabhuram Pictures, a subsidiary of his own company Sivaji Films. The film focuses on a brother who steals a diamond necklace for his sister's happy life. But the necklace itself becomes a problem. The rest of the story deals with what is the secret of the necklace and how the brother solves this puzzle.
Petralthan Pillaiya is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju and written by Aaroor Dass. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi and Sowcar Janaki. Based on the 1921 American film, The Kid, it revolves around a tramp finding a homeless boy and raising him as his own son until five years later the boy's biological parents try to find him.
Naam (transl. Us) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Kasilingam, starring M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. It is based on Kaadhal Kanneer, a novel by Kashi. The film was released on 5 March 1953 and failed commercially.
Urimaikural is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Latha, Anjali Devi and V. S. Raghavan. It was released on 7 November 1974, and became a silver jubilee hit.