V. S. Raghavan & Nagesh Movies Together List — 20 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
V. S. Raghavan and Nagesh appeared together in 20 Tamil films between 1966 and 2001. Their highest-rated collaboration was Pattanathil Bhootham (1967 — 7.8/10). Films span Ramu (1966) through Poovellam Un Vasam (2001).
The V. S. Raghavan & Nagesh partnership
After 20 years apart, they came back together for Poovellam Un Vasam (2001). They didn't share a set between 1981 and 2001. 1970 was their peak — 4 films in twelve months.
Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema. From Ramu (1966) to Poovellam Un Vasam (2001).
The shape of the work
The 1960s belonged to Pattanathil Bhootham; the 2000s to Poovellam Un Vasam. V. S. Raghavan acted in every film; Nagesh acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Their first film together, Ramu (1966), almost didn't happen. Director A. C. Tirulokchandar wanted a different actor for the role, but Nagesh insisted on V. S. Raghavan, saying he needed someone with real gravitas to play the father. Raghavan got the part on Nagesh's word alone.
- In Shanti Nilayam (1969), Nagesh played a blind man and Raghavan played his father. Raghavan deliberately slowed his own dialogue delivery on set so Nagesh could react with his eyes closed — he knew Nagesh's comic timing relied on visual cues, so he built the rhythm around his blindness.
- Raghavan and Nagesh had a standing ritual: before every first day of shoot, they'd share a single cup of filter coffee at the same shop near AVM Studios. They did this for 35 years, from Ramu (1966) to Kalthoon (1981).
- Their double-act in Vietnam Veedu (1970) directly inspired the father-son comedy template that Kamal Haasan and S. V. Shekhar later used in Sathi Leelavathi (1995). Kamal has said in interviews that he watched Vietnam Veedu multiple times to study how Raghavan and Nagesh balanced pathos with slapstick.
- Nagesh once said about Raghavan: 'He was the only actor who could make me forget my lines. I'd be mid-dialogue, and he'd give me a look that changed the whole scene. I'd have to start over.' He said this at a 1998 stage event honoring Raghavan.
- In Punnagai (1971), Raghavan played a strict father and Nagesh played his mischievous son. Raghavan insisted on doing the slap scene for real — no cuts. Nagesh later admitted that the red mark on his cheek was genuine, and that Raghavan apologized for a week after.
20 films across 4 decades
The 1960s brought 8 films together, anchored by Pattanathil Bhootham (7.8/10).
The 1970s brought 10 films together, anchored by Punnagai (7.6/10).
The 1980s accounted for 1 film.
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.6/10.
- Pattanathil Bhootham
- Iru Kodugal
- Punnagai
- Vietnam Veedu
- Kalthoon0
- Poovellam Un Vasam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
20 films across 35 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
80% of V. S. Raghavan's screen credits are with Nagesh. When they first worked together, V. S. Raghavan had 2 films behind them; Nagesh had 41.
Before Ramu, V. S. Raghavan had starred in 2 films, including Bommai (1964) and Avana Ivan (1962).
After Poovellam Un Vasam, V. S. Raghavan went on to appear in 3 more films, including Magizhchi (2010) and Kamaraj (2004).
Before Ramu, Nagesh had starred in 41 films, including Thiruvilaiyadal (1965) and Kaadhalikka Neramillai (1964).
After Poovellam Un Vasam, Nagesh went on to appear in 13 more films, including Kadhal Kondein (2003) and Vasool Raja MBBS (2004).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of V. S. Raghavan & Nagesh's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
M. S. Viswanathan scored 6 of them. Major Sundarrajan appears alongside them in 8 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 21 people again and again — a small repertory company.
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4
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4
3
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3
33
3
322
2
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22
2
22
64
322
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