Vivek & Ilavarasu Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Vivek and Ilavarasu appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 2001 and 2022. Their highest-rated collaboration was University (2002 — 7.3/10). Films span Shahjahan (2001) through Maaran (2022).
The Vivek & Ilavarasu partnership
After 11 years apart, they came back together for Maaran (2022). They didn't share a set between 2011 and 2022. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
From Shahjahan (2001) to Maaran (2022). University is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 2000s account for 67% of everything they made together. The 2000s belonged to University; the 2020s to Maaran. Vivek acted in every film; Ilavarasu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Vivek was already a star comedian when he agreed to play a supporting role in Shahjahan (2001). Ilavarasu was a relative newcomer. Vivek personally asked the director to cast Ilavarasu after seeing his stage work — that one recommendation launched Ilavarasu's film career.
- In Agaram (2007), Vivek played a serious, brooding character — a rare departure from comedy. Ilavarasu, playing the comic relief, deliberately underplayed his scenes so Vivek's intensity wouldn't get undercut. Ilavarasu later said he 'took the hit' on laughs to keep the film's tone consistent.
- During the shoot of Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam (2007), Vivek and Ilavarasu shared a room in a small lodge near the set. Every night, they would rehearse the next day's scenes together, often rewriting dialogues on hotel napkins. Ilavarasu still keeps those napkins.
- Ilavarasu once told a magazine: 'Vivek didn't just get me the role — he taught me how to stand in front of a camera without shaking. In Shahjahan, he held my hand before every take and said, "You belong here." That's why I never forgot him.'
- The success of their double-act in Shahjahan (2001) directly led to director S. A. Chandrasekhar casting both of them together again in a cameo for a 2003 film — a rare instance where a producer specifically demanded a duo, not just individual actors.
6 films across 3 decades
The 2000s brought 4 films together, anchored by University (7.3/10).
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.5/10.
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.1/10.
- University
- Agaram
- Seedan
- Maaran
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 21 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, Vivek had 62 films behind them; Ilavarasu had 6. After Maaran, Ilavarasu kept going for 22 more films; Vivek stepped back.
Before Shahjahan, Vivek had starred in 62 films, including Mugam (1999) and Mayabazar (1995).
After Maaran, Vivek went on to appear in 1 more film, including Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (2023).
Before Shahjahan, Ilavarasu had starred in 6 films, including Veeranadai (2000) and Kodi Parakuthu (1988).
After Maaran, Ilavarasu went on to appear in 22 more films, including Viduthalai (2023) and PT Sir (2024).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Vivek & Ilavarasu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
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