R. V. Udayakumar & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
R. V. Udayakumar and Ilayaraja appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1990 and 1995. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nandhavana Theru (1995 — 6.5/10). Films span Kizhakku Vasal (1990) through Nandhavana Theru (1995).
The R. V. Udayakumar & Ilayaraja partnership
Between 1990 and 1995, they barely worked apart — 8 films in 5 years. For 5 years, a R.–Ilayaraja film arrived almost every year. They saved their best for last — Nandhavana Theru (6.5/10) came 5 years in.
From Kizhakku Vasal (1990) to Nandhavana Theru (1995). The unfolded closed with Nandhavana Theru in 1995.
The shape of the work
R. V. Udayakumar directed every film; Ilayaraja scored all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
8 films across 1 decade
- Nandhavana Theru
- Kizhakku Vasal
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 films across 5 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
44% of R. V. Udayakumar's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Nandhavana Theru, Ilayaraja kept going for 95 more films; R. V. Udayakumar stepped back.
Before Kizhakku Vasal, R. V. Udayakumar had directed 2 films, including Puthiya Vaanam (1988) and Urimai Geetham (1988).
After Nandhavana Theru, R. V. Udayakumar went on to direct 8 more films, including Maamannan (2023) and Karumegangal Kalaiginrana (2023).
Kizhakku Vasal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Nandhavana Theru, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 95 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of R. V. Udayakumar & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Manorama is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 8 films. Manorama appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 5 people again and again — a small repertory company.
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