Vikiknl at 11:12, 15 January 2026

2026-01-15T11:12:32Z

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{{short description|Indian actor (1911- 1986)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = M. G. Chakrapani
| image = M. G. Chakrapani.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Maruthur Gopalan Neelakandan (Stage Name Chakrapani)
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1911|1|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Vadavannur]] [[Palakkad]] (Madras presidency), [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1986|8|17|1911|1|13|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| years_active = 1936–1986
| spouse = Meenakshi Neelakandan
| other names = Ettan
| relatives = [[M. G. Ramachandran]] (brother)
| occupation = [[Actor]], [[film producer]]
| children = 10
}}

'''Maruthur Gopalan Neelakandan''' '''M. G. Chakrapani''' stage name (13 January 1911- 17 August 1986), commonly known as '''Eattan''' ("elder brother" in [[Malayalam]]), was an Indian actor and producer based in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]]. He was the elder brother of actor-politician [[M. G. Ramachandran]].<ref name="HINDU">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=16 February 2012 |title=Fame eluded this sibling of an icon |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/fame-eluded-this-sibling-of-an-icon/article2899646.ece |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023162245/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/fame-eluded-this-sibling-of-an-icon/article2899646.ece |archive-date=23 October 2018}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Chakrapani was born in [[Vadavannur]], [[Palakkad]] ([[Madras Presidency]] now [[Kerala]]), on 13 January 1911. His parents, Gopala Menon and Sathyabhama, named him Neelakantan, but this was soon changed to Chakrapani because of his father's religious beliefs. Soon after his birth, the family migrated to Ceylon (now [[Sri Lanka]]) where Chakrapani's two younger siblings (brother [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and a sister) were born. Gopala Menon worked as a magistrate in [[Kandy]], until he suffered an early death. Chakrapani's sister also died while they were in Ceylon.<ref name="HINDU" />

Sathyabhama took her sons to [[Kumbakonam]] to be close to her brother. Chakrapani studied at Yanaiadi School, but left after the seventh grade. His mother then enrolled him and Ramachandran in the Madurai Original Boys Company (MOBC), a professional Tamil theatre company.

== Career ==
Chakrapani made his Tamil cinema debut in ''[[Iru Sahodarargal]]'' in 1936. ''[[Maya Machhindra]]'' and ''[[Tamizhariyum Perumal]]'' came next, where he began to be known as a character actor. His breakout role came in 1944 with ''[[Mahamaya (film)|Mahamaya]]''. His character, Neelan, is believed to have been modelled after the Indian philosopher [[Chanakya]].<ref name="HINDU" /> Though ''Mahamaya'' was a box office failure, Chakrapani's lines continue to be spoken. His acting in the role of police inspector in Malai kallan and as villain in En Thangai are notable. He had a very good role in Nadodi Mannan. His big success came some years later with ''[[Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali]]'', where he again played a villain.<ref name="HINDU" />

Later in his career, Chakrapani transitioned from actor to director and producer, managing his brother's career. Chakrapani worked with his brother on several projects which failed to see the light of day. One such film, ''Bhavani'' had Ramachandran in the lead role. It was written by A. K. Velan, directed by Masthan, with Chakrapani producing. Years later, Chakrapani tried again, this time taking the director's seat in the renamed ''[[Arasa Kattalai]]''. It was a success.<ref name="HINDU" />

== Personal life and death ==
Chakrapani was married to Meenakshi. They had 10 children together including seven sons and three daughters. Chakrapani died on 17 August 1986 at the age of 75.<ref name="HINDU" />

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Film
!Roles
!Notes
!Ref.
|-
|1936
|''[[Iru Sahodarargal]]''
|Police inspector
|Billed as G. Chakrapani
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2009 |title=Iru Sahodarargal 1936 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/iru-sahodarargal-1936/article3021811.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602162908/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/iru-sahodarargal-1936/article3021811.ece |archive-date=2 June 2017 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1939
|''[[Maya Machhindra]]''
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=25 January 2014 |title=Maya Machhindra (1939) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/maya-machhindra-1939/article5617395.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013171709/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/maya-machhindra-1939/article5617395.ece |archive-date=13 October 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1939
|''[[Jothi (1939 film)|Jothi]]''
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=4 October 2014 |title=Jothi 1939 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/blast-from-the-past-jothi-1939/article6471409.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309101926/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/blast-from-the-past-jothi-1939/article6471409.ece |archive-date=9 March 2021 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1942
|''[[Tamizhariyum Perumal]]''
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=7 May 2011 |title=Thamizh Ariyum Perumal 1942 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/thamizh-ariyum-perumal-1942/article1998955.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421131830/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/thamizh-ariyum-perumal-1942/article1998955.ece |archive-date=21 April 2021 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1944
|''[[Mahamaya (film)|Mahamaya]]''
|Neelan
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=4 September 2010 |title=Mahamaya 1944 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Mahamaya-1944/article12572634.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121094043/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Mahamaya-1944/article12572634.ece |archive-date=21 January 2017 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1946
|''[[Sri Murugan]]''
|
|
|
|-
|1947
|''[[1000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani]]''
|
|
|
|-
|1948
|''[[Abhimanyu (1948 film)|Abhimanyu]]''
|[[Balarama]]n
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=2 October 2009 |title=Abhimanyu 1948 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/abhimanyu-1948/article3021993.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101004701/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/abhimanyu-1948/article3021993.ece |archive-date=1 January 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1948
|''[[Raja Mukthi]]''
|Minister
|
|
|-
|1950
|''[[Ponmudi (film)|Ponmudi]]''
|Tribal Chief
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=3 October 2008 |title=Ponmudi 1950 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ponmudi-1950/article3023405.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012090048/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ponmudi-1950/article3023405.ece |archive-date=12 October 2018 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1950
|''[[Thigambara Samiar]]''
|Magistrate Pattabhirama Pillai
|
|
|-
|1950
|''[[Maruthanad Elavarasee]]''
|Minister
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=2011-01-08 |title=Blast from the past - Maruthanaatu Ilavarasi (1950) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Blast-from-the-past-Maruthanaatu-Ilavarasi-1950/article15511688.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818032907/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Blast-from-the-past-Maruthanaatu-Ilavarasi-1950/article15511688.ece |archive-date=18 August 2021 |access-date=2021-08-18 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1950
|''[[Ithaya Geetham]]''
|Minister
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNTnR6N2ZrTWVfUVE/view |title=Ithaya Geetham |publisher=Citadel Film Corporation |year=1950 |language=ta |type=[[song book]] |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827070005/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNTnR6N2ZrTWVfUVE/view |archive-date=27 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1951
|''[[Vanasundari]]''
|
|
|
|-
|1952
|''[[Amarakavi]]''
|
|
|
|-
|1952
|''[[En Thangai (1952 film)|En Thangai]]''
|Rajendran's uncle
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=28 November 2008 |title=En Thangai 1952 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101004643/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |archive-date=1 January 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1952
|''[[Kalyani (1952 film)|Kalyani]]''
|Doctor
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNVnh2SW5xSlpoaEk/view |title=கல்யாணி |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=1952 |language=ta |type=[[song book]] |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222060606/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNVnh2SW5xSlpoaEk/view |archive-date=22 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1953
|''[[Naam (1953 film)|Naam]]''
|Sanjeevi
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=29 December 2012 |title=Naam (1953) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/naam-1953/article4252688.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214080606/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/naam-1953/article4252688.ece |archive-date=14 December 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1954
|''[[Malaikkallan]]''
|Sub Inspector
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 July 1954 |title=Malaikkallan |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19540724&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=3}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|1954
|''[[En Magal]]''
|[[wiktionary:mirasdar|Mirasdar]]
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=15 June 2013 |title=En Magal (1955) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/en-magal-1955/article4817408.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627223840/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/en-magal-1955/article4817408.ece |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1956
|''[[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956 film)|Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum]]''
|[[List of One Thousand and One Nights characters#Cassim|Amir Kasim Khan]]
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Alibabavum40Thirudargalum1956Songbook |title=அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=c. 1956 |language=Tamil |trans-title=Alibaba and the Forty Thieves |type=[[song book]]}}</ref>
|-
|1957
|''[[Raja Rajan (film)|Raja Rajan]]''
|Uthselan Kavirayar
|
|
|-
|1958
|''[[Nadodi Mannan]]''
|Karmegam
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Film News Anandan |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/nadodi_mannan16.asp |title=சாதனைகள் படைத்த தமிழ்த் திரைப்பட வரலாறு – நாடோடி மன்னன் பற்றி எம்.ஜி.ஆர். – வீரப்பாவை சிரிக்கச் சொல்லவில்லை! |date=23 October 2004 |publisher=Sivakami Publishers |location=Chennai |language=Tamil |trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films – I never asked Veerappa to laugh! |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170614092145/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/nadodi_mannan16.asp |archive-date=14 June 2017 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
|-
|1959
|''[[Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali]]''
|Sundara Mudaliar
|
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNT1A4aXFLZ1JEMlU/view |title=தாய் மகளுக்கு கட்டிய தாலி |publisher=Kalpana Kala Mandir |year=1959 |language=ta |type=[[song book]] |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201543/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNT1A4aXFLZ1JEMlU/view |archive-date=8 December 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1959
|''[[Nalla Theerpu]]''
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=17 August 2013 |title=Nalla Theerpu (1959) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/nalla-theerpu-1959/article5032262.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822070447/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/nalla-theerpu-1959/article5032262.ece |archive-date=22 August 2013 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1960
|''[[Raja Desingu]]''
|Nawab of Arcot
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=15 August 2015 |title=Raja Desingu (1960) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-raja-desinghu-1960-featuring-mgr/article7544279.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101004641/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-raja-desinghu-1960-featuring-mgr/article7544279.ece |archive-date=1 January 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1960
|''[[Mannathi Mannan]]''
|[[Karikala|King Karikala Chozhan]]
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=28 April 2012 |title=Blast from the past: Mannaathi Mannan (1960) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/blast-from-the-past-mannaathi-mannan-1960/article3363973.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211094143/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/blast-from-the-past-mannaathi-mannan-1960/article3363973.ece |archive-date=11 February 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1962
|''[[Raani Samyuktha]]''
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 September 2015 |title=Rani Samyuktha (1962) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-rani-samyuktha-1962/article7668441.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603132713/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-rani-samyuktha-1962/article7668441.ece |archive-date=3 June 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1967
|''[[Arasa Kattalai]]''
|
|Also director
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=23 April 2016 |title=Arasa Kattalai (1967) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/mgr-and-saroja-devi-in-arasa-kattalai-1967/article8513630.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424085653/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/mgr-and-saroja-devi-in-arasa-kattalai-1967/article8513630.ece |archive-date=24 April 2016 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1969
|''[[Nam Naadu (1969 film)|Nam Naadu]]''
|
|Also producer
|
|-
|1972
|''[[Idhaya Veenai]]''
|Sivaraman
|
|
|-
|1974
|''[[Netru Indru Naalai (1974 film)|Netru Indru Naalai]]''
|Manavalan Thangappapuram
|
|
|-
|1975
|''[[Naalai Namadhe (1975 film)|Naalai Namadhe]]''
|
|
|
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|0149833}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chakrapani, M. G.}}
[[Category:1911 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:M. G. Ramachandran]]
[[Category:Actors from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:People from Palakkad district]]

M. G. Chakrapani - Revision history

Vikiknl at 11:12, 15 January 2026