Sukumari & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-19 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Sukumari and Ilayaraja appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1979 and 2004. Their highest-rated collaboration was Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979 — 7.5/10). Films span Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979) through Vishwa Thulasi (2004).
The Sukumari & Ilayaraja partnership
After 13 years apart, they came back together for Vishwa Thulasi (2004). They didn't share a set between 1991 and 2004. Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema.
The work is uneven: Thaayillamal Naan Illai (7.5) at one end, Arangetra Velai (3.6) at the other. From Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979) to Vishwa Thulasi (2004).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Thaayillamal Naan Illai; the 2000s to Vishwa Thulasi. Sukumari acted in every film; Ilayaraja scored all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
8 films across 4 decades
The 1970s brought 2 films together, anchored by Thaayillamal Naan Illai (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 3 films together, anchored by Garjanai (7.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 2 films, averaging 4.0/10.
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.5/10.
- Thaayillamal Naan Illai
- Pagalil Oru Iravu
- Garjanai
- Varusham Padhinaaru
- Gopura Vasalile
- Arangetra Velai
- Vishwa Thulasi
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 films across 25 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
33% of Sukumari's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Vishwa Thulasi, Ilayaraja kept going for 26 more films; Sukumari stepped back.
Before Thaayillamal Naan Illai, Sukumari had starred in 11 films, including Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1976) and Pasamalar (1961).
After Vishwa Thulasi, Sukumari went on to appear in 5 more films, including Magizhchi (2010) and Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008).
Thaayillamal Naan Illai was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Vishwa Thulasi, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 26 more films, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018) and Naan Kadavul (2009).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Sukumari & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
V. K. Ramasamy is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 8 films. V. K. Ramasamy appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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