Thyagarajan & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 12 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Thyagarajan and Ilayaraja appeared together in 12 Tamil films between 1982 and 1995. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nenjangal (1982 — 7.5/10). Films span Nenjangal (1982) through Aanazhagan (1995).
The Thyagarajan & Ilayaraja partnership
1983 was their peak — 4 films in twelve months. For 13 years, a Thyagarajan–Ilayaraja film arrived almost every year. The work is uneven: Nenjangal (7.5) at one end, Neengal Kettavai (4.0) at the other.
From Nenjangal (1982) to Aanazhagan (1995). Nalla Naal (1984, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 92% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Nenjangal; the 1990s to Aanazhagan. Thyagarajan actor in some, director in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
12 films across 2 decades
The 1980s brought 11 films together, anchored by Nenjangal (7.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.3/10.
- Nenjangal
- Nalla Naal
- Aanazhagan
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
12 films across 13 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
48% of Thyagarajan's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Aanazhagan, Ilayaraja kept going for 95 more films; Thyagarajan stepped back.
Nenjangal was Thyagarajan's acting debut.
After Aanazhagan, Thyagarajan went on to appear in 13 more films, including PT Sir (2024) and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018).
Nenjangal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Aanazhagan, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 95 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Thyagarajan & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Silk Smitha appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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