Ilayaraja & K. Shankar Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and K. Shankar appeared together in 4 Tamil films between 1981 and 1985. Their highest-rated collaboration was Bala Nagamma (1981 — 7.5/10). Films span Bala Nagamma (1981) through Raja Rishi (1985).
The Ilayaraja & K. Shankar partnership
Between 1981 and 1985, they barely worked apart — 4 films in 4 years. For 4 years, a Ilayaraja–K. film arrived almost every year. From Bala Nagamma (1981) to Raja Rishi (1985).
Bala Nagamma is the one most viewers reach for. The unfolded closed with Raja Rishi in 1985.
The shape of the work
Ilayaraja scored every film; K. Shankar directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
4 films across 1 decade
- Bala Nagamma
- Raja Rishi
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 4 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Raja Rishi, Ilayaraja kept going for 300 more films; K. Shankar stepped back.
Bala Nagamma was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Raja Rishi, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 300 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Bala Nagamma, K. Shankar had directed 28 films, including Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976) and Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968).
After Raja Rishi, K. Shankar went on to direct 10 more films, including Meenakshi Thiruvilaiyadal (1989) and Aayiram Kannudayaal (1986).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & K. Shankar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
K. R. Vijaya is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 4 films. K. R. Vijaya appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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