MG Ramachandran (he had shortened his name because there was a popular comedian called TR Ramachandran) had till then done only insignificant roles in 14 films. 

He even played minister Jayamal in a crowded Rajput king’s court in the film Meera. This became historic though his role went largely unnoticed. Meera would be the only movie in history where two Bharat Ratna laureates acted, MS being the other one. 

Jupiter Films decided to do a movie directed by Sami. The producer heard Sami’s script. The narrative had everything to enthrall the audience — magic, invisible men and flying carpets. In addition, there was an unsympathetic villain to defy and a seductive vamp to lure the hero. The producer felt that the whole story was too hot to handle for a debutant lead pair. He knew that true justice could be done only by the best pair in tinsel town — PU Chinnappa and TR Rajakumari. However, Sami persuaded the producer to let him make the film Rajakumari with his choice of insignificant artistes. 

Ramachandran was taking the risk of his life. He had just been offered the title role of a stage production — CN Annadurai’s ‘Shivaji’. (It was later played by another youngster VC Ganesan with whose name Shivaji was later tagged along.) 

A host of actors were enlisted including Nambiar as a comedian. Sri Lankan-born Thavamani Devi (of Vanamohini fame) played a vamp. She came to the shooting spot in a deep neck dress. Watching this the costumer, hastily, cut out a large paper flower to stuff in her blouse to make it acceptable for the censors. Co-incidentally, there was a Lankan predominance in the set. The hero, heroine and the director were from Sri Lanka. 

Ramachandran was very unrelenting about having his choice as the villain. No wonder, when he played a villain in the movie Salivahanan, he landed some real blows on the unsuspecting hero Ranjan. On his insistence, a milk vendor Chinnappa Devar was chosen to play the baddie. 

The director, needing assistance in the script, was recommended a youngster – Karunanidhi. He was just blooming as a fiery writer and was working in the Kudiarasu paper of EV. Ramasamy Naicker. Reportedly, Karunanidhi’s father, who was going blind towards the end of the life, visited the theatre to listen to the dialogue penned by his son. 

For Rajakumari movie, MGR was paid Rs 2,500 and it was paid in monthly instalment. However, the shooting delayed and MGR had to act an additional six months without emolument! 

A mishap during the shooting almost cost MGR’s life. He was hung from a beam which the carpenter promised would crack in three seconds. But unfortunately it didn’t and MGR almost choked in his first movie as a hero. 

When half the film was shot, it was far from impressive and one of the partners suggested shelving the movie. But the producer Jupiter Somu had a soft corner for MGR. This would then become the second unfinished movie that MGR had starred as a hero. 

Rajakumari was released in 1947 and surprisingly, crowds thronged the theatres. Though crowd appreciated the heroine’s performance, her business faded after this movie. And MGR’s career graph shoot up. 

MGR never turned back after that — he launched as the hero the Tamil film industry had been longing for. 

Rajakumari contributed to a lot of future partnerships as many involved in the film travelled together. MN Nambiar continued to act as a baddie till MGR’s last movie. The milkman-turned-villain Chinnappa Devar produced 18 movies of MGR. Karunanidhi and MGR were consecutive Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. Moreover, this one film changed the face of Tamil cinema and politics.