K. Balachander & V. Kumar Movies Together List — 10 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
K. Balachander and V. Kumar appeared together in 10 Tamil films between 1965 and 1973. Their highest-rated collaboration was Arangetram (1973 — 7.9/10). Films span Neerkumizhi (1965) through Arangetram (1973).
The K. Balachander & V. Kumar partnership
Between 1965 and 1973, they barely worked apart — 10 films in 8 years. For 8 years, a K.–V. film arrived almost every year. They saved their best for last — Arangetram (7.9/10) came 8 years in.
Remarkably even — every film rates between 7.5 and 7.9. From Neerkumizhi (1965) to Arangetram (1973).
The shape of the work
The 1970s account for 60% of everything they made together. The 1960s belonged to Iru Kodugal; the 1970s to Arangetram. K. Balachander directed every film; V. Kumar scored all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
10 films across 2 decades
The 1960s brought 4 films together, anchored by Iru Kodugal (7.8/10).
The 1970s brought 6 films together, anchored by Arangetram (7.9/10).
- Iru Kodugal
- Neerkumizhi
- Arangetram
- Pattham Pasali
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
10 films across 8 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
45% of V. Kumar's screen credits are with K. Balachander. After Arangetram, K. Balachander kept going for 44 more films; V. Kumar stepped back.
Before Neerkumizhi, K. Balachander had directed 1 film, including Server Sundaram (1964).
After Arangetram, K. Balachander went on to direct 44 more films, including Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) and Thanneer Thanneer (1981).
Neerkumizhi was V. Kumar's acting debut.
After Arangetram, V. Kumar went on to appear in 12 more films, including Kaliyuga Kannan (1974) and Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu (1974).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of K. Balachander & V. Kumar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Nagesh is the through-line — cast on 9 of their 10 films. Nagesh appears alongside them in 9 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 12 people again and again — a small repertory company.
9
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
33
3
2
2
2
2
22
4Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
