Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema
Script-writer Ravindar, who was close to MGR for more than 35 years, shares with the readers of the film magazine Bommai some interesting anecdotes involving MGR …
“The Central Government confers the titles ‘Bharath’ to men and ‘Urvasi’ to women if they excel in their fields. Bharath means fullness. MGR was the first actor to receive Bharath title (Film: Rikshawkaaran). MGR left for Calcutta to receive this honor. A function was got up at Sathya studio in appreciation of this title to MGR. Those, who spoke, referred to MGR as ‘Bharath MGR’. Two days after this function, I explained to MGR the meaning of the title ‘Bharath’. He asked me why I didn’t mention it in my speech at the felicitation function. I told him that I felt it wouldn’t be the right occasion for it. MGR expressed his heart-felt happiness and said that he felt that the title had the result only then. I couldn’t understand what he meant. MGR explained – “Calcutta is famous for rasagullas. My brother Chakrapani and I had been to Calcutta in the year 1936 for the shooting of the film ‘Maya Machindra’. At that time, my salary was only Rs. 200. We felt caged for one month during the schedule. In those days, there were no studios in Madras. I was very eager to eat rasagulla. The cost was four annas per rasagulla. But I didn’t have the money to buy even one. Kuldip, the server who was appointed as our cook fulfilled my wish. When I went to Calcutta now, I thought of this incident. When I came out after receiving the title, the fans were so excited that they shouted in one voice ‘Long live MGR’. In the crowd, I noticed Kuldip, looking very aged, standing in a corner with a garland in his hands. But he hesitated when I approached him. I took him to my room. He said he had two grandsons. I gave him a good sum of money when I realized his condition. He refused to accept it but I insisted and made him accept the money. I didn’t get the feeling of ‘Fullnes’ when I received the title, but I got that feeling when I got an opportunity to show my gratitude to Kuldip.” This was what MGR was …!
In those days, some magazines were publishing a ‘Question & Answer’ column. They received queries from the readers and got the replies from MGR. I’ll recall some of those very interesting questions and MGR’s very thoughtful replies that would make anyone to think over.
