R. S. Manohar & K. A. Thangavelu Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
R. S. Manohar and K. A. Thangavelu appeared together in 5 Tamil films between 1960 and 1987. Their highest-rated collaboration was Manaivi Ready (1987 — 4.2/10). Films span Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) through Manaivi Ready (1987).
The R. S. Manohar & K. A. Thangavelu partnership
After 12 years apart, they came back together for Manaivi Ready (1987). They didn't share a set between 1975 and 1987. They saved their best for last — Manaivi Ready (4.2/10) came 27 years in.
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) to Manaivi Ready (1987).
The shape of the work
The 1960s account for 60% of everything they made together. The 1960s belonged to Kaithi Kannayiram; the 1980s to Manaivi Ready. R. S. Manohar acted in every film; K. A. Thangavelu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manohar was a struggling stuntman when Thangavelu, already a star comedian, spotted him on a fight set and insisted the director cast him as the lead in Kaithi Kannayiram (1960). That film made Manohar a hero overnight.
- In Vallavanukku Vallavan (1965), Thangavelu would deliberately flub his lines during rehearsals just to make Manohar laugh on camera. The director kept those takes because the natural laughter sold their friendship on screen.
- Their film Nam Naadu (1969) was the first Tamil movie to feature a hero and comedian swapping roles mid-scene — Manohar played the comic relief for a stretch while Thangavelu turned serious. Every major comedy duo in the 70s copied that trick.
- After every film wrap, Manohar would personally drive Thangavelu home in his own car — even if Thangavelu lived an hour in the opposite direction. They never discussed it; it was just their unspoken rule for 15 years.
- Thangavelu once told a magazine: 'Manohar is the only man who can make me laugh even when I'm angry. I'd cancel a funeral for his film.'
- Yarukkum Vetkammillai (1975) almost didn't happen — Manohar had a scheduling clash with another film. Thangavelu walked into the producer's office and said, 'If he's not in it, I'm not in it.' The producer shifted the dates.
5 films across 3 decades
The 1960s accounted for 3 films.
The 1970s accounted for 1 film.
The 1980s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.2/10.
- Kaithi Kannayiram0
- Vallavanukku Vallavan0
- Yarukkum Vetkammillai0
- Manaivi Ready
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 27 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
71% of R. S. Manohar's screen credits are with K. A. Thangavelu.
Kaithi Kannayiram was R. S. Manohar's acting debut.
After Manaivi Ready, R. S. Manohar went on to appear in 2 more films, including Pagadai Panirendu (1992) and Naane Varuven (1992).
Kaithi Kannayiram was K. A. Thangavelu's acting debut.
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of R. S. Manohar & K. A. Thangavelu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
People who worked on R. S. Manohar & K. A. Thangavelu's films together
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