Ilayaraja & M. N. Nambiar Movies Together List — 26 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and M. N. Nambiar appeared together in 26 Tamil films between 1979 and 2007. Their highest-rated collaboration was Vetrikku Oruvan (1979 — 7.5/10). Films span Vetrikku Oruvan (1979) through Kuttrapathirikai (2007).
The Ilayaraja & M. N. Nambiar partnership
Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema. After 9 years apart, they came back together for Kuttrapathirikai (2007). 1985 was their peak — 4 films in twelve months.
They didn't share a set between 1998 and 2007. For 28 years, a Ilayaraja–M. film arrived almost every year.
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Vetrikku Oruvan; the 2000s to Kuttrapathirikai. Ilayaraja scored every film; M. N. Nambiar acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
26 films across 4 decades
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Vetrikku Oruvan (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 13 films together, anchored by Garjanai (7.5/10).
The 1990s brought 11 films together, anchored by Thanga Manasukkaran (7.5/10).
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.5/10.
- Vetrikku Oruvan
- Garjanai
- Thooral Ninnu Pochchu
- Thanga Manasukkaran
- Sakkarai Devan
- Kuttrapathirikai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
26 films across 28 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
63% of Ilayaraja's screen credits are with M. N. Nambiar. When they first worked together, Ilayaraja had 0 films behind them; M. N. Nambiar had 60. After Kuttrapathirikai, Ilayaraja kept going for 15 more films; M. N. Nambiar stepped back.
Vetrikku Oruvan was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Kuttrapathirikai, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 15 more films, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018) and Naan Kadavul (2009).
Before Vetrikku Oruvan, M. N. Nambiar had starred in 60 films, including Pasamalar (1961) and Deiva Magan (1969).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & M. N. Nambiar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
They worked with the same 19 people again and again — a small repertory company. Senthil appears alongside them in 8 films — practically a third lead.
8
8
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
22