Thambi Ramaiah & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 3 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-21 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Thambi Ramaiah and Ilayaraja appeared together in 3 Tamil films between 1992 and 2016. Their highest-rated collaboration was Magudam (1992 — 7.5/10). Films span Magudam (1992) through Appa (2016).
The Thambi Ramaiah & Ilayaraja partnership
After 22 years apart, they came back together for Un Samayal Arayil (2014). They didn't share a set between 1992 and 2014. From Magudam (1992) to Appa (2016).
Magudam is the one most viewers reach for. It started with Magudam (1992).
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Magudam; the 2010s to Appa. Thambi Ramaiah acted in every film; Ilayaraja scored all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
3 films across 2 decades
The 1990s brought 1 film together, anchored by Magudam (7.5/10).
The 2010s brought 2 films together, anchored by Appa (7.1/10).
- Magudam
- Appa
- Un Samayal Arayil
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
3 films across 24 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
When they first worked together, Thambi Ramaiah had 2 films behind them; Ilayaraja had 74. After Appa, Thambi Ramaiah kept going for 61 more films; Ilayaraja stepped back.
Before Magudam, Thambi Ramaiah had starred in 2 films, including Savaal (1981) and Valli Mayil (1980).
After Appa, Thambi Ramaiah went on to appear in 61 more films, including Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga (2017) and Sembi (2022).
Before Magudam, Ilayaraja had starred in 74 films, including Nadigan (1990) and Sami Potta Mudichu (1991).
After Appa, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 1 more film, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Thambi Ramaiah & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Richard M Nathan is the through-line — cinematography on 2 of their 3 films.
2