60 Films Together
60 films·1979–1998·Top Music Composer: Karthik Raja (1 films)·Top co-star: Nassar (12 films)
Ilayaraja & Janagaraj Movies Together List — 60 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Janagaraj appeared together in 60 Tamil films between 1979 and 1998. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nizhalgal (1980 — 8.5/10). Films span Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) through Kumbakonam Gopalu (1998).
60
Films Together
5.4
Average Rating
1979 - 1998
Career Span
Tamil
Primary Language
Credibility
Career Phase
Active×Active
Long-Term Partnership
The Ilayaraja & Janagaraj partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. 1985 was their peak — 8 films in twelve months. For 19 years, a Ilayaraja–Janagaraj film arrived almost every year.
The work is uneven: Nizhalgal (8.5) at one end, Marudhani (1.0) at the other. From Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) to Kumbakonam Gopalu (1998).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Puthiya Vaarpugal; the 1990s to Nadodi Thendral. Ilayaraja scored every film; Janagaraj acted in all of them.
60 films across 3 decades
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Puthiya Vaarpugal (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 34 films together, anchored by Nizhalgal (8.5/10).
The 1990s brought 25 films together, anchored by Nadodi Thendral (7.5/10).
1970s
Films1
Avg Rating7.5/10
Notable:
- Puthiya Vaarpugal
Era:
Ilayaraja: ActiveJanagaraj: Active
1980s
Films34
Avg Rating5.3/10
Notable:
- Nizhalgal
- Mann Vasanai
Era:
Ilayaraja: ActiveJanagaraj: Active
1990s
Films25
Avg Rating5.4/10
Notable:
- Nadodi Thendral
- Vetri Padigal
Era:
Ilayaraja: ActiveJanagaraj: Active
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
Duration1979–1998
Span19 years
60 films across 19 years represents focused partnership.
Language Distribution
Tamil59 films (98%)
Telugu1 film (2%)
Linguistic diversity: 2 languages, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
48% of Ilayaraja's screen credits are with Janagaraj. After Kumbakonam Gopalu, Ilayaraja kept going for 66 more films; Janagaraj stepped back.
Ilayaraja
Puthiya Vaarpugal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Kumbakonam Gopalu, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 66 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Janagaraj
Puthiya Vaarpugal was Janagaraj's acting debut.
After Kumbakonam Gopalu, Janagaraj went on to appear in 12 more films, including Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001) and Mudhal Kanave (2007).
Language
Decade
#1
→#4→#5
→#11→#12→#14
→#25
→#30
→#42
→#43
→#46
→#49
→#55
→#60
Puthiya Vaarpugal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
★ 7.5
→#2N
Nizhalgal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoSun NXTYouTube
★ 8.5
→#3P
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
K
Kaadhal Oviyam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
Paayum Puli
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPlexPrime VideoYouTube
★ 6.5
→#6M
Mann Vasanai
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros NowPrime VideoYouTube
★ 7.8
→#7I
Ingeyum Oru Gangai
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onWatchoYouTube
★ 6.5
→#8Nooravathu Naal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
★ 7.5
→#9Thambikku Entha Ooru
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayPrime VideoYouTube
★ 6.7
→#10A
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
K
Kuva Kuva Vaathugal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
P
Pudhumai Penn
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAhaPrime Video
★ 3.1
→#13P
Pillai Nila
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayYouTube
Uyarndha Ullam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAhaPrime Video
★ 3.6
→#15Sindhu Bhairavi
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros NowPrime VideoYouTube
★ 3.7
→#16Padikkadavan
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime Video
★ 5.0
→#17Aan Paavam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayJioTVPlexPrime VideoSun NXT
★ 4.9
→#18Kanni Rasi
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onYouTube
★ 6.5
→#19M
Marudhani
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 1.0
→#20O
Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime Video
★ 4.1
→#21K
Kadalora Kavithaigal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onGoogle Play MoviesPrime VideoYouTube
★ 7.5
→#22Nayagan
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onApple TV+Prime VideoVi Movies & TV
★ 5.8
→#23Jallikattu
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
★ 4.0
→#24S
Soora Samhaaram
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
Sathya
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAhaAirtel Xstream Play
★ 4.3
→#26U
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros NowYouTube
★ 4.7
→#27En Bommukutty Ammavukku
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime Video
★ 5.3
→#28Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 5.5
→#29P
Paadatha Thenikkal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onYouTube
En Purushan Than Enakku Mattundhan
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.5
→#31Varusham Padhinaaru
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 4.4
→#32Rajadhi Raja
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime Video
★ 5.1
→#33Apoorva Sagodharargal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros NowPrime Video
★ 5.9
→#34Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros NowPrime Video
★ 3.8
→#35Thiruppu Munai
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 4.2
→#36Panakkaran
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 4.2
→#37Arangetra Velai
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 3.6
→#38Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
Telugu
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onApple TV+Prime VideoSun NXTYouTube
★ 5.4
→#39Kizhakku Vasal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.3
→#40Keladi Kanmani
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayPrime Video
★ 3.3
→#41Urudhi Mozhi
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Raja Kaiya Vacha
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPlexPrime VideoYouTube
Vetri Padigal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.8
→#44Gopura Vasalile
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
★ 4.4
→#45Thanga Thamaraigal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Idhayam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onFacebook (Sathya Jyothi Films)YouTube
★ 5.3
→#47Guna
Tamil
Ilayaraja · ActorJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAhaAirtel Xstream PlayPrime VideoYouTube
★ 5.2
→#48Naangal
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Nadodi Thendral
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onYouTube
★ 7.5
→#50K
Kalikaalam
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayEros Now
★ 6.5
→#51E
Endrum Anbudan
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.6
→#52Pandiyan
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayPrime VideoYouTube
★ 4.1
→#53Meera
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlaySun NXTVi Movies & TV
★ 3.5
→#54V
Veetla Visheshanga
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
O
Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onAirtel Xstream PlayPlexSun NXT
★ 6.5
→#56Nandhavana Theru
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.5
→#57Rajavin Parvaiyile
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Streaming onPrime VideoYouTube
★ 5.7
→#58Devathai
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 6.5
→#59K
Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
Kumbakonam Gopalu
Tamil
Ilayaraja · Music ComposerJanagaraj · Actor
★ 3.8
→Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Janagaraj's professional partnership
1
2
5
8
13
22
27
42
44
47
50
57
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
They worked with the same 59 people again and again — a small repertory company. Nassar appears alongside them in 12 films — practically a third lead.
12
11
10
9
9
8
8
8
7
7
76
6
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5
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5
55
4
4
4
44
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4
3
33
33
3
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32
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