Ilayaraja & Rathi Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Rathi appeared together in 5 Tamil films between 1980 and 2002. Their highest-rated collaboration was Kazhugu (1981 — 7.5/10). Films span Ullasa Paravaigal (1980) through Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002).
The Ilayaraja & Rathi partnership
After 21 years apart, they came back together for Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002). They didn't share a set between 1981 and 2002. Remarkably even — every film rates between 6.5 and 7.5.
From Ullasa Paravaigal (1980) to Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002). Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 80% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Kazhugu; the 2000s to Solla Marandha Kadhai. Ilayaraja scored every film; Rathi acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
5 films across 2 decades
The 1980s brought 4 films together, anchored by Kazhugu (7.5/10).
The 2000s brought 1 film together, anchored by Solla Marandha Kadhai (7.5/10).
- Kazhugu
- Garjanai
- Solla Marandha Kadhai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 22 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
50% of Rathi's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Solla Marandha Kadhai, Ilayaraja kept going for 32 more films; Rathi stepped back.
Ullasa Paravaigal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Solla Marandha Kadhai, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 32 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Ullasa Paravaigal was Rathi's acting debut.
After Solla Marandha Kadhai, Rathi went on to appear in 5 more films, including Pallavan (2003) and Allari Bullodu (2005).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Rathi's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Major Sundarrajan is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 5 films. Major Sundarrajan appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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