Vivek & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 17 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Vivek and Ilayaraja appeared together in 17 Tamil films between 1987 and 2017. Their highest-rated collaboration was Mayabazar (1995 — 7.5/10). Films span Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) through Muthuramalingam (2017).
The Vivek & Ilayaraja partnership
After 11 years apart, they came back together for Muthuramalingam (2017). They didn't share a set between 2006 and 2017. 1992 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months.
Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema. From Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) to Muthuramalingam (2017).
The shape of the work
The 1980s belonged to Manathil Uruthi Vendum; the 2010s to Muthuramalingam. Vivek acted in every film; Ilayaraja scored all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
17 films across 4 decades
The 1980s accounted for 2 films, averaging 4.2/10.
The 1990s brought 10 films together, anchored by Mayabazar (7.5/10).
The 2000s accounted for 4 films, averaging 5.6/10.
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.8/10.
- Manathil Uruthi Vendum
- Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
- Mayabazar
- Mugam
- Thirunelveli
- Madhu
- Muthuramalingam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
17 films across 30 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
63% of Vivek's screen credits are with Ilayaraja.
Manathil Uruthi Vendum was Vivek's acting debut.
After Muthuramalingam, Vivek went on to appear in 10 more films, including Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (2023) and Dharala Prabhu (2020).
Manathil Uruthi Vendum was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Muthuramalingam, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 1 more film, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Vivek & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Nizhalgal Ravi appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 7 people again and again — a small repertory company.
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2Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
