Nizhalgal Ravi & Manivannan Movies Together List — 16 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Nizhalgal Ravi and Manivannan appeared together in 16 Tamil films between 1980 and 2007. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nizhalgal (1980 — 8.5/10). Films span Nizhalgal (1980) through Cheena Thaana 001 (2007).
The Nizhalgal Ravi & Manivannan partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. 2001 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months. The work is uneven: Nizhalgal (8.5) at one end, Enge Enadhu Kavithai (1.0) at the other.
From Nizhalgal (1980) to Cheena Thaana 001 (2007). Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 1980s belonged to Nizhalgal; the 2000s to Piriyadha Varam Vendum. Manivannan actor in some, director in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Their first film together, Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi (1987), was a comedy about two brothers. Manivannan played the elder brother, Ravi the younger. The director, Manivannan himself, wrote the role specifically for Ravi after seeing him in a stage play.
- In Moondravadhu Kann (1993), Manivannan played a blind man who pretends to see. Ravi played his caretaker. The entire comedy came from Ravi reacting to Manivannan's fake confidence — Ravi's character was the nervous straight man, Manivannan the chaotic liar. They built the timing by rehearsing the scenes without dialogue first.
- Their 2001 film Piriyadha Varam Vendum (7.5/10) was a sleeper hit that directly inspired the 2003 Vijay-starrer Vaseegara. The producer of Vaseegara admitted in an interview that he wanted to remake the emotional father-son dynamic from Piriyadha Varam Vendum, but couldn't get the rights.
- Manivannan directed Ravi in 8 of their 10 films. On every single set, Manivannan insisted Ravi eat lunch with him — not with the other actors. Ravi later said it was because Manivannan wanted to discuss the next day's scenes without anyone overhearing.
- In Military (2003), they played father and son for the first time. Manivannan was only 12 years older than Ravi, so he deliberately wore grey makeup and walked with a stoop. Ravi matched him by playing a son who never raises his voice — a complete reversal of their loud, comedic dynamic in the 80s films.
16 films across 3 decades
The 1980s brought 2 films together, anchored by Nizhalgal (8.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 7 films, averaging 4.6/10.
The 2000s brought 7 films together, anchored by Piriyadha Varam Vendum (7.5/10).
- Nizhalgal
- Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
- Veera
- Nenjinile
- Piriyadha Varam Vendum
- Kandukondain Kandukondain
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
16 films across 27 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
47% of Manivannan's screen credits are with Nizhalgal Ravi. After Cheena Thaana 001, Nizhalgal Ravi kept going for 64 more films; Manivannan stepped back.
Nizhalgal was Nizhalgal Ravi's acting debut.
After Cheena Thaana 001, Nizhalgal Ravi went on to appear in 64 more films, including Ratsasan (2018) and Andhadhi (2015).
Nizhalgal was Manivannan's acting debut.
After Cheena Thaana 001, Manivannan went on to appear in 18 more films, including Nenjathai Killadhe (2008) and Sadhurangam (2011).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Nizhalgal Ravi & Manivannan's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Deva scored 7 of them. They worked with the same 8 people again and again — a small repertory company. Sathyaraj appears alongside them in 5 films — practically a third lead.
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Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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