Ilayaraja & Sukanya Movies Together List — 16 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Sukanya appeared together in 16 Tamil films between 1991 and 2017. Their highest-rated collaboration was Seeman (1994 — 7.5/10). Films span Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) through Muthuramalingam (2017).
The Ilayaraja & Sukanya partnership
After 20 years apart, they came back together for Muthuramalingam (2017). They didn't share a set between 1997 and 2017. 1993 was their peak — 7 films in twelve months.
The work is uneven: Seeman (7.5) at one end, Thirumathi Palanisamy (2.5) at the other. From Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) to Muthuramalingam (2017).
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 94% of everything they made together. The 1990s belonged to Seeman; the 2010s to Muthuramalingam. Ilayaraja scored every film; Sukanya acted in all of them.
16 films across 2 decades
The 1990s brought 15 films together, anchored by Seeman (7.5/10).
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.8/10.
- Seeman
- Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
- Muthuramalingam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
16 films across 26 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 2 languages, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
73% of Sukanya's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. When they first worked together, Ilayaraja had 42 films behind them; Sukanya had 1.
Before Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, Ilayaraja had starred in 42 films, including Nadigan (1990) and En Kitta Mothathey (1990).
After Muthuramalingam, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 1 more film, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, Sukanya had starred in 1 film, including Thanga Kalasam (1988).
After Muthuramalingam, Sukanya went on to appear in 5 more films, including Kaala (2018) and Captain (2022).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Sukanya's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Goundamani appears alongside them in 7 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 7 people again and again — a small repertory company.
7
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
Rajinikanth
JaishankarRajinikanth
Suruli rajan
Santhanam
Yuvan Shankar RajaNassar
M. S. Bhaskar
Balu Mahendra
Ilayaraja
Thambi Ramaiah
Samuthirakani