Who was Mu. Ka Muthu: Kalaignar's firstborn who resembled MGR on screen and was open to AIADMK switch | 5 points

Mu. Ka. Muthu, eldest son of DMK icon M Karunanidhi and half-brother of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, passed away in Chennai on Saturday. He was 77.

 

MK Muthu was the firstborn of Karunanidhi and his first wife Padmavathi. CM Stalin remembered him as someone with a talent in singing and somebody who encouraged his career in politics. Muthu will remain in the hearts and memories of people through art and music, Stalin added. His body is being brought to the Karunanidhi family residence in Gopalapuram. Here are five things to know about the late son of the former Tamil Nadu chief minister:

 

1. Muthu was named after his grandfather -- Ayyadurai Muthuvel. He made his debut as an actor in 1979 by featuring in 'Pillayo Pillai'. He was asked to build a career in the film industry by his family because they wanted a representative to attract the masses, reports said. "Anayavilakku", "Ingeyum Manidhargal" and "Pookari" are some of his noted movies.

 

2. Muthu's mother was born in a family known for its allegiance to music. Her father Chidambaram Oadagasundaram Pillai was a musician and young Muthu was also trained in classical music. Later, after he became an actor, he also sang songs including "Nalla Manathil Kudiyirikkum Nagoor Andava", which became a classic.

 

3. There were physical resemblances between Muthu and MGR -- Karunanidhi's friend-turned political rival. From hairstyle to body language and dialogue delivery, he had many similarities with the Puratchi Thalaivar. This caused an uneasiness within the Karunanidhi family and even fuelled the existing misunderstandings between Karunanidhi and MGR, The Hindu said in a report. Even after he left DMK, MGR continued to patronise Muthu, the report added.

 

4. When his career in the film industry started to downfall, Muthu reportedly approached MGR seeking political refuge. He wanted entry into the AIADMK. While MGR helped the man financially, the former chief minister refused him an innings with his party, reports said.

 

5. It took years before the ice melted between the father and son. Karunanidhi and Mu. Ka. Muthu reconciled in 2008. It was on the occasion of the son's 60th birthday that witnessed the reunion, reports said.

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