S.S. Rajendran, better known as SSR, was a contemporary of Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran in both cinema and politics.
Young SSR as Abhimanyu of Mahabharata in a Tamil play. Later, inspired by Periyar and Anna, SSR never played a mythological role in films.
SSR performs Villupaatu, a folk music form. SSR is an accomplished singer too. In fact, he got his maiden chance to perform in theatre by impressing the TKS brothers through his songs.
SSR with M. Karunandhi, then a script writer, and actor Sivaji Ganesan. The trio joined hands for Parasakthi, a movie that not only went on to be a trend setter in Tamil cinema, but also changed the political sphere of Tamil Nadu.
SSR played MGR's younger brother in the film Kanchi Thalaivan. In real life too, he fondly called the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as Annan or elder brother.
SSR with Kumari Kamala in Sivagangai Seemai, based on the Maruthu Pandiyars' struggle against the British.
SSR with lyricist Kannadasan and MGR in the sets of Raja Desingu. In this movie based on the King of Gingee, SSR played Mohammed Khan, the best friend of protagonist MGR.
SSR with his wife and co-actor Vijayakumari. The couple acted in over 29 movies together.
SSR with Jayalalithaa in Manimagudam, which was penned by M. Karunanidhi.
During his politically active years, SSR took part in the Dravidian movement, including anti-Hindi agitations. When MGR founded the AIADMK after a fallout with M. Karunanidhi, SSR too moved out of the DMK and joined the newly-founded party.