M. K. Muthu

Muthuvel Karunanidhi Muthu (born 14 January 1948) is an Indian actor, playback singer and politician. Muthu is the eldest son of late former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi and his first wife Padmavathi, sister of actor-singer Chidambaram S. Jayaraman.^[2] According to the internal evidence provided by Karunanidhi, in the 1st volume of his autobiography, Muthu's birth probably took place on January 14, 1948, Muthu's mother Padmavathi had died at the age of 20, soon after giving birth to Muthu, due to accelerated tuberculosis fever.

M. K. Muthu
Born	Muthuvel Karunanidhi Muthu (1948-02-25) 25 February 1948 (age 77) Thirukuvalai, Madras Province, India
Spouse	Sivakamasundari[1]
Parent(s)	Father : Karunanidhi Mother : Padmavathi
Relatives	Karunanidhi family

In this Indian name, the name Muthuvel Karunanidhi is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Muthu.

Muthu started acting in 1970 and appeared in films such as Pillaiyo Pillai, Samayalkaran, Anayavilaku, Ingeyum Manidhargal and Pookkari. He also sang a few songs in these films.^[3] In 2008, he sang a song for the film Mattuthavani under music director Deva.^[4] Most of his movies paired with actress Vennira Aadai Nirmala are hit.

Career

Karunanidhi initially had wanted Muthu to be his political heir in the early 1970s, but later launched him into films as a counter to M G Ramachandran, founder of the AIADMK. But Muthu's career in films never really took off.^[5]

Muthu later had difference of opinions with Karunanidhi and he went on to join his father's rival party AIADMK. However father and son patched up in 2009 after Muthu fell ill.^[5][6]

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Note
1972	Pillaiyo Pillai	Kumar / Kannan	Debut
1973	Pookkari	Kanthan
1974	Samayalkkaran
1975	Anaiya Vilakku
1975	Nambikai Natchathiram
1975	Ingeyum Manithargal
1977	Ellam Avale

Sources

• Hardgrave, Robert L. "Politics and the Film in Tamilnadu: The Stars and the DMK." Asian Survey, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Mar., 1973), pp. 288–305
• Divided dynasties The Telegraph, Sunday, 20 May 2007
• M.K Muthu returns to tinselville