R.M. Veerappan, one of the powerful Ministers in the Cabinet led by late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in the 1980s and a close associate of the matinee-icon turned politician, died in Chennai on April 9, aged 97. He is survived by three daughters and three sons.
R.M. Veerappan, former Tamil Nadu Minister, and founder of MGR Kazhagam. File | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
RMV, as he was called, was also a member in the ministry of the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, but was expelled by her in 1995 after he shared a dais with actor Rajinikanth during the success celebrations of the film Baashha, where the actor criticised the AIADMK government “for the deterioration of law and order in the State.”
A 1986 image of M.G. Ramachandran, Jayalaithaa and R.M. Veerappan at the Madurai conference of World MGR Mandram. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
A furious Jayalithaa had summoned RMV and demanded an explanation from him. “How could you remain silent when Rajini spoke like that?,” he recalled Jayalalithaa as asking him over the intercom even though he visited her in the Chief Minister’s office. The biography RMV Oru Thondar by Ranimynthan gives a lot of details about the subsequent developments.
RMV sought to convince Jayalalithaa saying it was the nature of Rajinikanth to speak like that. “I do not believe that it would make an impact. Moreover, I could not counter his allegation since the crowd dispersed after his speech,” he had explained.
But Jayalalithaa was not convinced and accused him of “enjoying” Rajinikanth’s diatribes against her.
AIADMK partymen helping M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) who is recovering in hospital from gunshot wounds prepare his nomination papers for the 1967 Assembly elections a few days after M.R. Radha shot him in the neck. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
RMV was able understand what would befall him. He, however, left for the U.S. as planned earlier. After his return, he continued his work as the Food Minister. But the subsequent visit of Rajinikanth to his residence further provoked Jayalalithaa and 15 days after the meeting he was divested of the portfolio and made Minister for Animal Husbandry.
Watch The Hindu Live | B. Kolappan and D. Suresh Kumar discuss the life and times of R.M. Veerappan
He participated in the Anna birth anniversary meeting in Karaikudi though his name was not included in the list of speakers. A lot of fans of Rajinikanth participated in the meeting and he was forced to make a reference to Rajinikanth. In two days, he was expelled from the party.
Actor Rajinikanth with R.M. Veerappan. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Though he banked heavily on Rajinikanth to revive his political career and launched his party MGR Kazhagam, the actor remained elusive and supported the DMK and the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) launched by the late G.K. Moopanar against the Congress high command’s decision to align with the AIADMK in the 1996 general elections.
RMV’s role in MGR’s electoral wins
A powerful organiser and strategist, it was RMV, also a successful film producer, who hit upon the idea of using the photograph of MGR with a bandage on his neck after being shot by actor M.R. Radha in the 1967 Assembly elections. MGR contested from the Parangimalai Assembly constituency then. Later in 1984, he released the pictures of MGR showing two fingers (victory symbol) from his US hospital bed, when there was a rumour that the Chief Minister was no more.
“I know RMV’s relationship and friendship with MGR. RMV is the sculptor who chiselled MGR. Only l know it. The other person who knows about it is Murasoli Maran,” writes late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the blurb of the book.
M.G. Ramachandran at the Down State Medical Centre Brooklyn, New York. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
MGR used to call him a “worker (Thozhilali) and owner (Muthalali)” because RMV was an employee of the MGR pictures in which MGR was a partner. He also launched a production company Sathya Movies and made a lot of movies with MGR in the lead roles.
From theatre to films to politics
Born in Vallathirakottai near Aranthangi in Pudukottai district, RMV joined the drama troupe Balashanmugananda Sabha run by the TMK Brothers as he was not interested in studies. As per the contract, his first salary was ₹3 per month and it would be increased to ₹5 in the second year and ₹7 in the third year.
R.M. Veerappan with M.G. Ramachandran in this August 15, 1982 file photo. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
After leaving the troupe, he became an agent of Dravida Nadu, the official organ of the Dravidar Kazhagam. When Periyar E.V. Ramasamy needed an assistant during his tour in Ramanathapuram, Rama Subbaiah, a leader, assigned the job to RMV and the relationship continued. He went to Erode to stay with Periyar as per his advice. He stayed at the Kudiyarasu office and his monthly salary was ₹25. He left Periyar to join the troupe of actor K.R. Ramasamy. When it was facing closure, he joined MGR’s troupe in 1953 and the relationship continued till 1987 the year MGR died.
MGR also made him a partner of his production company MGR Pictures and the first picture Nadodi Mannan became a blockbuster.
He was with MGR when he launched the AIADMK. When the party captured power in 1977, RMV was made the Minister of Information though he was not an MLA. He was elected to the Legislative Council. Later he was made the Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. His tenure as the HR&CE Minister witnessed a controversy over the death of Subramania Pillai, the assistant commissioner of Tiruchendur temple, who was found hanging. A commission headed by J.C.R. Paul inquired into the death. But before the report was out, DMK leader Karunanidhi was able to get it and released it. He continued as a Minister in 1977, 1980 and 1984. He contested from the Tirunelveli constituency in the Assembly elections after the Legislative council was abolished.
After the demise of MGR, he supported his widow Janaki and was a member of the short-lived ministry. But, like many senior leaders, he also switched over to the camp of Jayalalithaa.
