Ilayaraja & Vijayan Movies Together List — 9 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Vijayan appeared together in 9 Tamil films between 1979 and 2004. Their highest-rated collaboration was Mann Vasanai (1983 — 7.8/10). Films span Udhiri Pookkal (1979) through Kamaraj (2004).
The Ilayaraja & Vijayan partnership
After 15 years apart, they came back together for Ramana (2002). They didn't share a set between 1987 and 2002. 1979 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months.
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Udhiri Pookkal (1979) to Kamaraj (2004).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Niram Maaratha Pookkal; the 2000s to Kamaraj. Ilayaraja scored every film; Vijayan acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
9 films across 3 decades
The 1970s brought 3 films together, anchored by Niram Maaratha Pookkal (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 4 films together, anchored by Mann Vasanai (7.8/10).
The 2000s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.8/10.
- Niram Maaratha Pookkal
- Udhiri Pookkal0
- Mann Vasanai
- Anbukku Naan Adimai
- Kamaraj
- Ramana
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
9 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
69% of Vijayan's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Kamaraj, Ilayaraja kept going for 26 more films; Vijayan stepped back.
Udhiri Pookkal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Kamaraj, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 26 more films, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018) and Naan Kadavul (2009).
Before Udhiri Pookkal, Vijayan had starred in 1 film, including Padhai Theriyudhu Par (1960).
After Kamaraj, Vijayan went on to appear in 3 more films, including Not Reachable (2022) and Varalaru (2006).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Vijayan's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Janagaraj appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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2Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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