Ilayaraja & Napoleon Movies Together List — 15 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Napoleon appeared together in 15 Tamil films between 1991 and 2017. Their highest-rated collaboration was Virumaandi (2004 — 7.6/10). Films span Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) through Muthuramalingam (2017).
The Ilayaraja & Napoleon partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. After 8 years apart, they came back together for Muthuramalingam (2017). 1994 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months.
They didn't share a set between 2009 and 2017. The work is uneven: Virumaandi (7.6) at one end, Muthu Kaalai (1.0) at the other.
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 73% of everything they made together. The 1990s belonged to Nadodi Thendral; the 2010s to Muthuramalingam. Ilayaraja scored every film; Napoleon acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
15 films across 3 decades
The 1990s brought 11 films together, anchored by Nadodi Thendral (7.5/10).
The 2000s brought 3 films together, anchored by Virumaandi (7.6/10).
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.8/10.
- Nadodi Thendral
- Pangali
- Virumaandi
- Azhagar Malai
- Muthuramalingam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
15 films across 26 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
75% of Napoleon's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. When they first worked together, Ilayaraja had 42 films behind them; Napoleon had 0.
Before Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, Ilayaraja had starred in 42 films, including Nadigan (1990) and En Kitta Mothathey (1990).
After Muthuramalingam, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 1 more film, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu was Napoleon's acting debut.
After Muthuramalingam, Napoleon went on to appear in 5 more films, including Sulthan (2021) and Anbarivu (2022).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Napoleon's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
They worked with the same 6 people again and again — a small repertory company. Goundamani appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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