The magic of MGR and Saroja Devi – Valentine's Day special

The late Tamil Nadu chief minister and film star Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, better known simply by his initials as MGR, and leading lady Saroja Devi created one of the most memorable on-screen pairings in yesteryear Tamil cinema.

MGR had a magnetic aura which drew crowds to his films while Saroja Devi, with her expressive eyes and pleasant features, seemed to be his perfect mate on screen.

They worked together in 27 films, each of which went on to become a hit. The best of these included Nadodi Mannan (1958), Periya Idathu Penn (1963), Padakotti (1964), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966), Parakkum Pavai (1966), Petralthan Pillayya (1966) and Arasa Kattali (1967).

To this day, several songs from Anbe Vaa, like 'Rajavin Paaravaiil' and 'Naan Paarthathile', remain favourites with the romantics.