These roles were so well entrenched that a change, some felt, was needed. Thus came movies like Arasa Kattalai (1967) where MGR played the honest leader who had come to save the masses.
M N Nambiar was the gruff rebel with a heart of iron and integrity. Though the role won him accolades, it was obvious that people missed his teeth-grinding antics. So it was no surprise that his return to full-bodied evil was hailed with relief and joy.
Housewives cursed him, men dared not invite him into their homes for fear he would rape their women; children ran away screaming when he appeared. Loyal fans of MGR surrounded his car when he ventured outside, vowing that he'd die a swift death if he dared thrash their thalaivar again. Throughout the 60s and 70s, he represented the worst of what you could find or not, in any man.
Also See: Avakkai Biriyani: A slice of life
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