Ilayaraja & Kuyili Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Kuyili appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1984 and 1990. Their highest-rated collaboration was Kalyana Agathigal (1985 — 7.5/10). Films span Poovilangu (1984) through Unnai Solli Kutramillai (1990).
The Ilayaraja & Kuyili partnership
Between 1984 and 1990, they barely worked apart — 8 films in 6 years. 1989 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months. For 6 years, a Ilayaraja–Kuyili film arrived almost every year.
The work is uneven: Kalyana Agathigal (7.5) at one end, Unnai Solli Kutramillai (1.0) at the other. From Poovilangu (1984) to Unnai Solli Kutramillai (1990).
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 75% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Kalyana Agathigal; the 1990s to Kavithai Paadum Alaigal. Ilayaraja scored every film; Kuyili acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
8 films across 2 decades
The 1980s brought 6 films together, anchored by Kalyana Agathigal (7.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 2 films, averaging 1.0/10.
- Kalyana Agathigal
- Poovilangu
- Kavithai Paadum Alaigal
- Unnai Solli Kutramillai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 films across 6 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
42% of Kuyili's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Ilayaraja kept going for 258 more films; Kuyili stepped back.
Poovilangu was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 258 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Poovilangu, Kuyili had starred in 1 film, including Andhi Mayakkam (1981).
After Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Kuyili went on to appear in 10 more films, including Engal Anna (2004) and Vallamai Tharayo (2008).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Kuyili's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Nassar is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 8 films. Nassar appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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