Ilayaraja & Babu Movies Together List — 17 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and Babu appeared together in 17 Tamil films between 1976 and 1991. Their highest-rated collaboration was Enakkul Oruvan (1984 — 8.5/10). Films span Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (1976) through Thayamma (1991).
The Ilayaraja & Babu partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. For 15 years, a Ilayaraja–Babu film arrived almost every year. The work is uneven: Enakkul Oruvan (8.5) at one end, Thayamma (1.0) at the other.
From Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (1976) to Thayamma (1991). Vetrikku Oruvan (1979, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai; the 1990s to Vetri Karangal. Babu director of photography in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
17 films across 3 decades
The 1970s brought 6 films together, anchored by Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (8.3/10).
The 1980s brought 8 films together, anchored by Enakkul Oruvan (8.5/10).
The 1990s brought 3 films together, anchored by Vetri Karangal (7.5/10).
- Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
- Priya
- Enakkul Oruvan
- Kazhugu
- Vetri Karangal
- En Uyir Thozhan
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
17 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
81% of Babu's screen credits are with Ilayaraja. After Thayamma, Ilayaraja kept going for 226 more films; Babu stepped back.
Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Thayamma, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 226 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Before Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, Babu had starred in 1 film, including Anbu Thangai (1974).
After Thayamma, Babu went on to appear in 3 more films, including Thaalikaatha Kaaliamman (2001) and Hogenakkal (2014).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & Babu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
They worked with the same 12 people again and again — a small repertory company. Rajinikanth appears alongside them in 8 films — practically a third lead.
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23Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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