Karthik Subbaraj & Karunakaran Movies Together List — 3 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Karthik Subbaraj and Karunakaran appeared together in 3 Tamil films between 2014 and 2025. Their highest-rated collaboration was Jigarthanda (2014 — 7.8/10). Films span Jigarthanda (2014) through Retro (2025).
The Karthik Subbaraj & Karunakaran partnership
After 9 years apart, they came back together for Retro (2025). They didn't share a set between 2016 and 2025. From Jigarthanda (2014) to Retro (2025).
Iraivi (2016, 7.6/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue. Their most recent film, Retro, came out in 2025 — the partnership is still active.
The shape of the work
The 2010s belonged to Jigarthanda; the 2020s to Retro. Karthik Subbaraj directed every film; Karunakaran acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
3 films across 2 decades
The 2010s brought 2 films together, anchored by Jigarthanda (7.8/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.5/10.
- Jigarthanda
- Iraivi
- Retro
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
3 films across 11 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
30% of Karunakaran's screen credits are with Karthik Subbaraj .
Before Jigarthanda, Karthik Subbaraj had directed 1 film, including Pizza (2012).
Before Jigarthanda, Karunakaran had starred in 3 films, including Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey (2012).
After Retro, Karunakaran went on to appear in 4 more films, including Vaa Vaathiyaar (2026) and Gatta Kusthi 2 (2026).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Karthik Subbaraj & Karunakaran's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Bagavathi Perumal is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 3 films.
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