Vivek & Nagesh Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-03 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Vivek and Nagesh appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 1991 and 2006. Their highest-rated collaboration was Saravana (2006 — 6.5/10). Films span Nanbargal (1991) through Saravana (2006).
The Vivek & Nagesh partnership
After 9 years apart, they came back together for Minnale (2001). They saved their best for last — Saravana (6.5/10) came 15 years in. They didn't share a set between 1992 and 2001.
From Nanbargal (1991) to Saravana (2006). The ran closed with Saravana in 2006.
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Nanbargal; the 2000s to Saravana. Vivek acted in every film; Nagesh acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Vivek was still a struggling mimicry artist when Nagesh spotted him at a stage show. Nagesh personally recommended him to director K. Bhagyaraj for 'Nanbargal' (1991), giving Vivek his first proper film break.
- In 'Thambi Pondatti' (1992), Nagesh played the father-in-law to Vivek's character. On set, Nagesh would deliberately flub his lines to make Vivek laugh, forcing Vivek to improvise his reactions — a trick that gave their scenes a natural, unscripted rhythm.
- Vivek has said in interviews that Nagesh never let him call him 'sir' after their first film together. Nagesh insisted Vivek call him 'anna' (elder brother), and they stayed in touch even during Nagesh's final years when he was bedridden.
- Vivek once said: 'Nagesh sir didn't just teach me comedy timing. He taught me that a pause can be funnier than a punchline. I learned that watching him from two feet away.'
- Their double-act in 'Putham Pudhu Payanam' (1991) — where they played a conman and his reluctant sidekick — directly inspired the buddy-comedy template that later directors like K.S. Ravikumar used in films like 'Muthu' (1995).
6 films across 2 decades
The 1990s accounted for 3 films.
The 2000s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.6/10.
- Nanbargal0
- Putham Pudhu Payanam0
- Saravana
- Poovellam Un Vasam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 15 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 2 films behind them; Nagesh had 247. After Saravana, Vivek kept going for 67 more films; Nagesh stepped back.
Before Nanbargal, Vivek had starred in 2 films, including Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) and Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989).
After Saravana, Vivek went on to appear in 67 more films, including Oopiri (2016) and Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (2023).
Before Nanbargal, Nagesh had starred in 247 films, including Thiruvilaiyadal (1965) and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1976).
After Saravana, Nagesh went on to appear in 7 more films, including Kaantha (2025) and Dasavathaaram (2008).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Vivek & Nagesh's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
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