M.M.A Chinnappa Devar

MMA Chinnappa Devar was an Indian producer and actor who worked in Tamil Cinema. He was born in Ramanathapuram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. His full name was Marudhur Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Thevar shortened to MMA Chinnappa Thevar. Since he was born into an agricultural family his financial status was weak. He did not complete his schooling as his father couldn’t afford his studies. He did a lot of petty jobs, working at small shops and factories to earn money. He was fond of bodybuilding since the very beginning and indulged himself in working out and weightlifting to build his muscles. He wanted to land a role in movies via his built body and started practicing martial arts. He was filmed for a fight sequence in Thilottama (1940) but only as a body double. In 1947, he was featured in a negative light in the movie Rajakumari under the banner of Jupiter Pictures.

He landed the title ‘Sandow’ (after Eugen Sandow) because of his chiseled body. In 1956, MMA opened his own production house Thevar Films. He was great friends with M. G. Ramachandran or MGR and hence cast him in his first movie Thaikkupin Thaaram (1956). Rajesh Khanna’s most famous movie Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) was produced under his banner. He also made a Tamil remake of the movie titled Nalla Neram Nalla Neram is a Tamizh TV serial that is aired on >> Read More... in 1972 with MGR. He also worked with Rajinikanth in Thai Meethu Sathiyam in 1978. He died on September 6, 1978, while shooting for Thai Meethu Sathiyam. His filmography includes Yanai Paagan, Vettaikaaran, Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum, Uthami Petra Rathinam, Sengottai Singam, Thozhilali, Vivasayee, Magaraasi, Gaai Aur Gori (Hindi), Shubh Din (Hindi), Pottelu Punnamma, Mera Rakshak (Hindi), Kettikaran, Akka Thangai Akka Thangai was one among the television series t >> Read More... , Deivacheyal, Jaanwar Aur Insaan (Hindi), and Penn Deivam.

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Sandow Marudur Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Devar was a famous producer of Tamil films. M. M. A. Chinnappa Devar was born in Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, on June 28, 1915, to Ayyavoo thevar and Ramakkal. He was best known for producing many of M. G. Ramachandran’s (MGR’s) hits. He has made 16 movies with MGR as the main lead. Devar is also known for featuring animals in many of his films as a supporting theme and also as the lead character. His production house Devar Films was the most renowned production house during the mid-1950s. He rose to national fame by producing the Bollywood film in 1971 with Rajesh Khanna.

Chinnappa Thevar only studied till the fifth grade due to his financial situation. He started working at the Pankaja mill in his youth in the 1930s for a wage of Rs. 9. Later, he spent a short time working for Stanes Motor Company. He also made money by selling grains, producing milk, and making soda. He developed an early interest in gymnastics. Along with his friends in the Ramanathapuram area, he started Veera Maruthi Deha Payirchi saalai. Later he joined the film industry and did a few supporting roles as villain. He and his brother made their acting debut in the 1940 movie Thilottama. They were barely seen in their shadows during the fight scene. Chinnappa Devar was given the title "Sandow" because of his physique.

Meeting MGR was the turning point in this life. MGR recommended Thevar in films he worked on. Later in 1956, Thevar started his own production company Devar Films, and produced his first film Thaikkupin Thaaram with MGR as the hero. Successful filmmaker M. A. Thirumugam, was his brother. During his later years, he produced mythological genre films. He bankrolled Rajinikanth’s movie Thai Meethu Sathiyam directed by his son-in-law R. R. Thyagarajan. He fell ill during the shooting of the movie and died on 6 September 1978 at the age of 63.