Prabhu & Vadivelu Movies Together List — 14 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Prabhu and Vadivelu appeared together in 14 Tamil films between 1993 and 2010. Their highest-rated collaboration was Chandramukhi (2005 — 7.0/10). Films span Maravan (1993) through Thillalangadi (2010).
The Prabhu & Vadivelu partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. For 17 years, a Prabhu–Vadivelu film arrived almost every year. From Maravan (1993) to Thillalangadi (2010).
Chandramukhi is the one most viewers reach for. It started with Maravan (1993).
The shape of the work
The 2000s account for 64% of everything they made together. The 1990s belonged to Pasumpon; the 2010s to Thillalangadi. Prabhu acted in every film; Vadivelu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Their first film together, Maravan (1993), almost didn't happen. Director R. K. Selvamani cast Prabhu as the lead, but Vadivelu was a last-minute replacement after the original comedian walked out over a salary dispute. Vadivelu showed up on set with no script — just a promise to make Prabhu laugh.
- In Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa (1999), Prabhu and Vadivelu played triple roles each — but they never rehearsed together. Vadivelu would improvise his lines on the spot, and Prabhu, a seasoned actor, would adjust his timing mid-scene to match. The director later said Prabhu's patience let Vadivelu's chaos shine.
- Chandramukhi (2005) was the only blockbuster they made together, but it created a ripple: Vadivelu's 'Murugesa' character — a nervous sidekick to Prabhu's doctor — became so popular that fans demanded a spin-off. No spin-off ever happened, but the character still gets quoted in Tamil meme pages today.
- Off-screen, Prabhu and Vadivelu had a strict no-phone rule on set. Between takes, they'd sit under a tree and play cards — sometimes for hours. Vadivelu once lost so badly that he had to buy lunch for the entire crew of Kusthi (2006).
- Vadivelu once said in a 2007 interview: 'Prabhu anna is the only hero who never asked me to tone down my comedy. He let me be a fool on screen, and he played the straight man so well that people forgot he was the hero.'
14 films across 3 decades
The 1990s accounted for 4 films, averaging 3.5/10.
The 2000s brought 9 films together, anchored by Chandramukhi (7.0/10).
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.3/10.
- Pasumpon
- Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa
- Chandramukhi
- Mitta Miraasu
- Thillalangadi
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
14 films across 17 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
39% of Vadivelu's screen credits are with Prabhu. When they first worked together, Prabhu had 95 films behind them; Vadivelu had 4. After Thillalangadi, Prabhu kept going for 54 more films; Vadivelu stepped back.
Before Maravan, Prabhu had starred in 95 films, including Ninaivu Chinnam (1989) and Vetri Karangal (1991).
After Thillalangadi, Prabhu went on to appear in 54 more films, including PT Sir (2024) and Kiss (2025).
Before Maravan, Vadivelu had starred in 4 films, including Thevar Magan (1992) and Singaravelan (1992).
After Thillalangadi, Vadivelu went on to appear in 18 more films, including Sivalinga (2017) and Mersal (2017).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Prabhu & Vadivelu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
S. A. Rajkumar scored 3 of them. They worked with the same 7 people again and again — a small repertory company. Kovai Sarala appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
