Vivek & Manivannan Movies Together List — 24 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Vivek and Manivannan appeared together in 24 Tamil films between 1996 and 2008. Their highest-rated collaboration was Mugam (1999 — 7.5/10). Films span Subash (1996) through Bommalattam (2008).
The Vivek & Manivannan partnership
1997 was their peak — 4 films in twelve months. For 12 years, a Vivek–Manivannan film arrived almost every year. The work is uneven: Mugam (7.5) at one end, Lovely (2.6) at the other.
From Subash (1996) to Bommalattam (2008). Mugam is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Mugam; the 2000s to Sivaji. Vivek acted in every film; Manivannan acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Vivek was a struggling mimicry artist when Manivannan spotted him at a stage show. Manivannan cast him in 'Subash' (1996) as a full-fledged comedian — that film launched Vivek's film career.
- Manivannan gave Vivek the freedom to improvise his lines on set. In 'Nerrukku Ner' (1997), Vivek's ad-libbed one-liners became so popular that Manivannan started writing scenes around them.
- Their film 'Doubles' (2000) was the first Tamil movie to feature Vivek as a solo lead comedian without a superstar hero. It directly inspired a wave of comedian-led films in the early 2000s.
- Vivek called Manivannan 'my film school.' After every shoot, Manivannan would sit with Vivek for an hour and explain why a joke worked or didn't — a ritual they kept for all 13 films.
- Vivek once said: 'Manivannan sir didn't just give me roles. He taught me how to breathe in front of a camera.' He said this at a 2018 tribute event for Manivannan.
- Manivannan deliberately paired Vivek with younger actors like Vijay and Ajith in films like 'Nerrukku Ner' and 'Youth' (2002). He used Vivek's rapid-fire timing to make the heroes look cooler by contrast.
24 films across 2 decades
The 1990s brought 10 films together, anchored by Mugam (7.5/10).
The 2000s brought 14 films together, anchored by Sivaji (7.2/10).
- Mugam
- Nerrukku Ner
- Sivaji
- Arasatchi
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
24 films across 12 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Bommalattam, Vivek kept going for 54 more films; Manivannan stepped back. By the time of Subash, both already had careers — Vivek with 24 films, Manivannan with 47.
Before Subash, Vivek had starred in 24 films, including Mayabazar (1995) and Nandhavana Theru (1995).
After Bommalattam, Vivek went on to appear in 54 more films, including Oopiri (2016) and Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (2023).
Before Subash, Manivannan had starred in 47 films, including Nizhalgal (1980) and Thai Maaman (1994).
After Bommalattam, Manivannan went on to appear in 11 more films, including Sadhurangam (2011) and Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Vivek & Manivannan's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Deva scored 10 of them. They worked with the same 18 people again and again — a small repertory company. Kovai Sarala appears alongside them in 6 films — practically a third lead.
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