Ilayaraja & Shalini Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Shalini appeared together in 5 Tamil films between 1985 and 2000. Their highest-rated collaboration was Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997 — 6.3/10). Films span Pillai Nila (1985) through Kannukkul Nilavu (2000).
The Ilayaraja & Shalini partnership
After 8 years apart, they came back together for Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997). They saved their best for last — Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (6.3/10) came 12 years in. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
They didn't share a set between 1989 and 1997. From Pillai Nila (1985) to Kannukkul Nilavu (2000).
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 60% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Raja Chinna Roja; the 2000s to Kannukkul Nilavu. Ilayaraja scored every film; Shalini acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
5 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.1/10.
The 1990s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.3/10.
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.8/10.
- Raja Chinna Roja
- Pillai Nila0
- Kadhalukku Mariyadhai
- Kannukkul Nilavu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 15 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
56% of Shalini's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Kannukkul Nilavu, Ilayaraja kept going for 44 more films; Shalini stepped back.
Pillai Nila was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Kannukkul Nilavu, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 44 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Pillai Nila, Shalini had starred in 1 film, including Osai (1984).
After Kannukkul Nilavu, Shalini went on to appear in 3 more films, including Attakathi (2012) and Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Shalini's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
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