Prabhu Deva & Anandaraj Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Prabhu Deva and Anandaraj appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 1998 and 2018. Their highest-rated collaboration was Pokkiri (2007 — 6.9/10). Films span Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998) through Gulaebaghavali (2018).
The Prabhu Deva & Anandaraj partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998) to Gulaebaghavali (2018). It started with Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998).
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar; the 2010s to Gulaebaghavali. Prabhu Deva actor in some, director in others.
Partnership facts
- They first met on the sets of Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998). Anandaraj was already a known villain. Prabhu Deva was the new hero. The director paired them because he wanted a fresh face opposite a seasoned baddie — and it worked so well they kept coming back.
- In Pokkiri (2007), Prabhu Deva’s fast footwork and Anandaraj’s heavy, grounded presence created a rhythm that fight choreographers loved. Anandaraj would set the beat with slow, deliberate moves; Prabhu Deva would explode into action around him. Directors said they didn't need rehearsal — they just read each other's body language.
- Their pairing in Engal Anna (2004) directly inspired the villain-hero dynamic in later mass-market Tamil films like Singam (2010). Producers noticed audiences loved seeing a dancer-hero outsmart a brute villain — and that template got copied for years.
- On the sets of Villu (2009), Anandaraj would bring homemade snacks from his village for the entire crew. Prabhu Deva, who was directing himself in the film, would sit with him during lunch breaks and discuss old dance numbers. They never hung out outside work, but on set they were inseparable.
- Anandaraj once said in a 2010 interview: 'Prabhu Deva doesn't just fight on screen — he dances through the fight. I had to learn to move like a rock so he could flow like water.'
6 films across 3 decades
The 1990s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.1/10.
The 2000s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.8/10.
The 2010s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.1/10.
- Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar
- Pokkiri
- Engal Anna
- Gulaebaghavali
- Action Jackson
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 20 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 2 languages, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
When they first worked together, Prabhu Deva had 10 films behind them; Anandaraj had 41.
Before Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar, Prabhu Deva had starred in 10 films, including Minsara Kanavu (1997) and Idhayam (1991).
After Gulaebaghavali, Prabhu Deva went on to appear in 21 more films, including Poikkal Kudhirai (2022) and Pon Manickavel (2020).
Before Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar, Anandaraj had starred in 41 films, including Nandhavana Theru (1995) and Pattukku Naan Adimai (1990).
After Gulaebaghavali, Anandaraj went on to appear in 26 more films, including Chennai City Gangsters (2025) and Kanne Kalaimaane (2019).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Prabhu Deva & Anandaraj's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Vadivelu is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 6 films. Vadivelu appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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