Ilayaraja & G. M. Kumar Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ilayaraja and G. M. Kumar appeared together in 5 Tamil films between 1986 and 2016. Their highest-rated collaboration was Tharai Thappattai (2016 — 6.7/10). Films span Aruvadai Naal (1986) through Tharai Thappattai (2016).
The Ilayaraja & G. M. Kumar partnership
After 25 years apart, they came back together for Tharai Thappattai (2016). They didn't share a set between 1991 and 2016. They saved their best for last — Tharai Thappattai (6.7/10) came 30 years in.
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Aruvadai Naal (1986) to Tharai Thappattai (2016).
The shape of the work
The 1980s belonged to Aruvadai Naal; the 2010s to Tharai Thappattai. Ilayaraja scored every film; G. M. Kumar directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
5 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 2 films, averaging 6.5/10.
The 1990s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.5/10.
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.7/10.
- Aruvadai Naal
- Pickpocket0
- Irumbu Pookkal
- Uruvam
- Tharai Thappattai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 30 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
83% of Ilayaraja's screen credits are with G. M. Kumar.
Aruvadai Naal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Tharai Thappattai, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 1 more film, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Aruvadai Naal was G. M. Kumar's directorial debut.
After Tharai Thappattai, G. M. Kumar went on to direct 9 more films, including Karnan (2021) and Bommai Nayagi (2023).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ilayaraja & G. M. Kumar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Pallavi is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 5 films. Pallavi appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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