Samuthirakani & Badava Gopi Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Samuthirakani and Badava Gopi appeared together in 4 Tamil films between 2014 and 2026. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nimirndhu Nil (2014 — 7.1/10). Films span Nimirndhu Nil (2014) through Carmeni Selvam (2026).
The Samuthirakani & Badava Gopi partnership
After 9 years apart, they came back together for Carmeni Selvam (2026). They didn't share a set between 2017 and 2026. From Nimirndhu Nil (2014) to Carmeni Selvam (2026).
Their most recent film, Carmeni Selvam, came out in 2026 — the partnership is still active. Nimirndhu Nil is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 2010s account for 75% of everything they made together. The 2010s belonged to Nimirndhu Nil; the 2020s to Carmeni Selvam. Samuthirakani director in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Samuthirakani didn't just cast Badava Gopi in Nimirndhu Nil (2014) — he wrote the role specifically for him after watching Gopi's stand-up act at a Chennai comedy club. Gopi had zero film experience before that call.
- On the sets of Massu Engira Masilamani (2015), Samuthirakani would deliberately flub his lines in the first take to make Badava Gopi laugh — then use that genuine reaction in the final cut. Gopi said it was the only way he could stay loose in front of the camera.
- After Thondan (2017) flopped, Badava Gopi went through a rough patch and stopped taking calls. Samuthirakani drove to his house unannounced, sat with him for three hours, and convinced him to not quit acting. They didn't work together again until Carmeni Selvam (2026).
- Badava Gopi once told a behind-the-scenes crew: 'Samuthirakani doesn't direct me. He just stands where the camera is and dares me to be funnier than him. I lose every time.'
- The comic timing they built together in Nimirndhu Nil directly inspired the director of a 2019 web series to cast both of them as a bickering uncle-nephew duo — a role that later won Badava Gopi his first OTT award.
4 films across 2 decades
The 2010s brought 3 films together, anchored by Nimirndhu Nil (7.1/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film.
- Nimirndhu Nil
- Thondan
- Carmeni Selvam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 12 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
By the time of Nimirndhu Nil, both already had careers — Samuthirakani with 13 films, Badava Gopi with 10.
Before Nimirndhu Nil, Samuthirakani had directed 13 films, including Saattai (2012) and Naadodigal (2009).
Before Nimirndhu Nil, Badava Gopi had starred in 10 films, including Chennai 600028 (2007) and Poi (2006).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Samuthirakani & Badava Gopi's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Namo Narayana is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 4 films.
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