Ilayaraja & V. S. Raghavan Movies Together List — 11 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and V. S. Raghavan appeared together in 11 Tamil films between 1979 and 2004. Their highest-rated collaboration was Vetrikku Oruvan (1979 — 7.5/10). Films span Vetrikku Oruvan (1979) through Kamaraj (2004).
The Ilayaraja & V. S. Raghavan partnership
After 18 years apart, they came back together for Kamaraj (2004). They didn't share a set between 1986 and 2004. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
The work is uneven: Vetrikku Oruvan (7.5) at one end, Nalla Thambi (1.0) at the other. From Vetrikku Oruvan (1979) to Kamaraj (2004).
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 82% of everything they made together. The 1970s belonged to Vetrikku Oruvan; the 2000s to Kamaraj. Ilayaraja scored every film; V. S. Raghavan acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
11 films across 3 decades
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Vetrikku Oruvan (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 9 films together, anchored by Bala Nagamma (7.5/10).
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.8/10.
- Vetrikku Oruvan
- Bala Nagamma
- Padikkaatha Pannaiyar
- Kamaraj
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
11 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
30% of Ilayaraja's screen credits are with V. S. Raghavan. When they first worked together, Ilayaraja had 0 films behind them; V. S. Raghavan had 31. After Kamaraj, Ilayaraja kept going for 26 more films; V. S. Raghavan stepped back.
Vetrikku Oruvan 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 Vetrikku Oruvan, V. S. Raghavan had starred in 31 films, including Iru Kodugal (1969) and Pattanathil Bhootham (1967).
After Kamaraj, V. S. Raghavan went on to appear in 2 more films, including Magizhchi (2010) and Saguni (2012).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & V. S. Raghavan's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Rajinikanth appears alongside them in 5 films — practically a third lead.
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