Thambi Ramaiah & Manobala Movies Together List — 14 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Thambi Ramaiah and Manobala appeared together in 14 Tamil films between 2006 and 2024. Their highest-rated collaboration was Kick (2023 — 7.2/10). Films span Vathiyar (2006) through Inga Naan Thaan Kingu (2024).
The Thambi Ramaiah & Manobala partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. They saved their best for last — Kick (7.2/10) came 17 years in. 2016 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months.
For 18 years, a Thambi–Manobala film arrived almost every year. From Vathiyar (2006) to Inga Naan Thaan Kingu (2024).
The shape of the work
The 2010s account for 71% of everything they made together. The 2000s belonged to Vathiyar; the 2020s to Kick. Thambi Ramaiah acted in every film; Manobala acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manobala didn't just cast Thambi Ramaiah in 'Sillunu Oru Sandhippu' (2013) — he wrote the role specifically for him after watching his comic timing in a stage play. Thambi later said Manobala was the first director who trusted him with a full-length comedy track, not just a one-liner.
- On the sets of 'Peigal Jaakkirathai' (2016), Manobala would let Thambi Ramaiah rewrite his own dialogues on the spot. Thambi would then perform three or four variations of the same scene, and Manobala would pick the wildest take. That's why their horror-comedy scenes feel so loose and unpredictable.
- Their 2019 hit 'Thirumanam' (6.4/10) directly launched the career of comedian-filmmaker 'KPY' Bala. Bala played a supporting role in that film, and Manobala later credited Thambi Ramaiah for insisting on casting him. Bala's breakout came right after.
- Thambi Ramaiah and Manobala had a standing rule: no matter how bad the shoot day went, they'd share a cup of tea together before leaving the set. They did this on all 12 films. Thambi once said, 'If we didn't have that tea, the next day's scene would feel off.'
14 films across 3 decades
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.5/10.
The 2010s accounted for 10 films, averaging 5.3/10.
The 2020s brought 3 films together, anchored by Kick (7.2/10).
- Vathiyar
- Thirumanam
- Peigal Jaakkirathai
- Kick
- Inga Naan Thaan Kingu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
14 films across 18 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
42% of Thambi Ramaiah's screen credits are with Manobala. When they first worked together, Thambi Ramaiah had 8 films behind them; Manobala had 43.
Before Vathiyar, Thambi Ramaiah had starred in 8 films, including Magudam (1992) and Savaal (1981).
After Inga Naan Thaan Kingu, Thambi Ramaiah went on to appear in 11 more films, including Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (2026) and Yaadhum Ariyaan (2025).
Before Vathiyar, Manobala had starred in 43 films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982).
After Inga Naan Thaan Kingu, Manobala went on to appear in 2 more films, including Madha Gaja Raja (2025) and Parrisu (2025).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Thambi Ramaiah & Manobala's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Robo Shankar appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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