Vadivelu & Hari Movies Together List — 5 Films

The shape of the work

Vadivelu acted in every film; Hari directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.

Partnership facts

• Hari was still a newcomer when he cast Vadivelu in Thamizh (2002). The comedian was already a star, but Hari bet on him for a serious supporting role — not just comic relief. That gamble paid off and set the tone for their next two films.
• In Kovil (2004), Vadivelu’s comedy track was written by Hari to mirror the film’s emotional beats — not just random laughs. Hari would block the scene first, then let Vadivelu improvise the dialogue. That mix of structure and freedom made their scenes feel alive.
• Vel (2007) was the first time Hari gave Vadivelu a full-length comedy subplot that ran parallel to the hero’s story. That template — a comedian with his own emotional arc — became a trend in Hari’s later films and influenced other directors like S. Shankar in Nanban (2012).
• During the shoot of Thamizh, Vadivelu would often stay back after his scenes to watch Hari direct the lead actors. Hari later said in an interview that Vadivelu never demanded special treatment, even though he was the bigger name at the time.
• Hari once said about Vadivelu: 'He doesn't just act — he listens to the whole scene first. That's why his timing is always perfect.' He said this during a press meet for Kovil.