Ilayaraja & K. A. Thangavelu Movies Together List — 3 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and K. A. Thangavelu appeared together in 3 Tamil films between 1978 and 1987. Their highest-rated collaboration was Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala (1978 — 7.8/10). Films span Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala (1978) through Manaivi Ready (1987).
The Ilayaraja & K. A. Thangavelu partnership
From Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala (1978) to Manaivi Ready (1987). Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala is the one most viewers reach for. The played out closed with Manaivi Ready in 1987.
It started with Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala (1978).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala; the 1980s to Manaivi Ready. Ilayaraja scored every film; K. A. Thangavelu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
3 films across 2 decades
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala (7.8/10).
The 1980s accounted for 2 films, averaging 4.2/10.
- Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala
- Manaivi Ready
- Kadal Meengal0
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
3 films across 9 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
When they first worked together, Ilayaraja had 0 films behind them; K. A. Thangavelu had 43. After Manaivi Ready, Ilayaraja kept going for 300 more films; K. A. Thangavelu stepped back.
Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Manaivi Ready, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 300 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala, K. A. Thangavelu had starred in 43 films, including Pasamalar (1961) and Enga Veettu Pillai (1965).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & K. A. Thangavelu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Kamal Haasan is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 3 films.
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