Nizhalgal Ravi & Vadivelu Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Nizhalgal Ravi and Vadivelu appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1992 and 2007. Their highest-rated collaboration was Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001 — 7.5/10). Films span Singaravelan (1992) through Cheena Thaana 001 (2007).
The Nizhalgal Ravi & Vadivelu partnership
2001 was their peak — 4 films in twelve months. From Singaravelan (1992) to Cheena Thaana 001 (2007). Piriyadha Varam Vendum is the one most viewers reach for.
It started with Singaravelan (1992).
The shape of the work
The 2000s account for 75% of everything they made together. The 1990s belonged to Aasai; the 2000s to Piriyadha Varam Vendum. Nizhalgal Ravi acted in every film; Vadivelu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- They first shared screen space in Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001), but it was almost a miss — Vadivelu was initially cast in a smaller role. Ravi, who played the lead, insisted the director expand Vadivelu's part after seeing his comic timing during rehearsals.
- In Thavasi (2001), Ravi played the straight-laced hero while Vadivelu played his sidekick. Ravi deliberately slowed his delivery in scenes to let Vadivelu's punchlines land harder — a rhythm they kept for all four films.
- Their pairing in Thimiru (2006) directly inspired director S. Shankar to cast Vadivelu as the comic relief in his 2007 blockbuster Sivaji — because Shankar saw how Ravi's deadpan reactions made Vadivelu's chaos funnier.
- During the shoot of Cheena Thaana 001 (2007), Vadivelu would call Ravi every morning to discuss the day's scenes. Ravi later said Vadivelu treated him like an elder brother, even though Ravi is only five years older.
- "He never tried to outshine me. He'd say, 'You make the joke work, I'll just stand there and react.' That's why we clicked." — Vadivelu on Nizhalgal Ravi, in a 2008 interview with Ananda Vikatan.
8 films across 2 decades
The 1990s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.3/10.
The 2000s brought 6 films together, anchored by Piriyadha Varam Vendum (7.5/10).
- Aasai
- Singaravelan
- Piriyadha Varam Vendum
- Thimiru
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 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
When they first worked together, Nizhalgal Ravi had 57 films behind them; Vadivelu had 1. After Cheena Thaana 001, Nizhalgal Ravi kept going for 64 more films; Vadivelu stepped back.
Before Singaravelan, Nizhalgal Ravi had starred in 57 films, including Nizhalgal (1980) and Mann Vasanai (1983).
After Cheena Thaana 001, Nizhalgal Ravi went on to appear in 64 more films, including Ratsasan (2018) and Andhadhi (2015).
Before Singaravelan, Vadivelu had starred in 1 film, including Aatha Un Koyilile (1991).
After Cheena Thaana 001, Vadivelu went on to appear in 36 more films, including Sivalinga (2017) and Mersal (2017).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Nizhalgal Ravi & Vadivelu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
People who worked on Nizhalgal Ravi & Vadivelu's films together
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