CHENNAI: Bhagyaraj shared a deep personal and emotional connection with MGR. This rapport, along with Bhagyaraj’s following among women, prompted MGR to declare him as his heir-apparent in the film world (Kalai Ulaga Vaarisu).In Feb 1984, MGR presided over the actor-director’s marriage with actor Poornima.Bhagyaraj could not shake the MGR effect off even after the passing of the former chief minister in 1987. When the AIADMK split after MGR’s death, Bhagyaraj threw his weight behind MGR’s wife Janaki Ramachandran when she contested for the chief minister’s post. In 1989, Bhagyaraj launched a political party, MGR Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam. The party, which contested in a constituency in Kerala in 1991 and got 87 votes, never took off.In 1990, he managed to revive MGR’s unfinished movie ‘Anna Nee En Deivam’ and released it as ‘Avasara Police 100’. The film, which was shelved after MGR became too busy in politics and became chief minister in 1977, hit the screens with graphics and mimicry filling the gaps. Though it was one of his few forgettable films, Bhagyaraj felt it was his way of repaying his debts to his mentor.He never missed a chance to mention MGR’s name or show the AIADMK party colours in his films. This prompted MGR’s bete noire M Karunanidhi to back another actor-director, T Rajhendar, as a counter. In movies, Bhagyaraj and Rajhendar did shadow-boxing for MGR and Karunanidhi.Following the footsteps of Rajhendar, Bhagyaraj started composing music for films. His scores in Balakumaran’s ‘Idhu Namma Aalu’ were superhits.
