M. N. Nambiar & C. V. Rajendran Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
M. N. Nambiar and C. V. Rajendran appeared together in 4 Tamil films between 1969 and 1983. Their highest-rated collaboration was Garjanai (1981 — 7.5/10). Films span Nil Gavani Kathali (1969) through Sandhippu (1983).
The M. N. Nambiar & C. V. Rajendran partnership
After 8 years apart, they came back together for Garjanai (1981). They saved their best for last — Garjanai (7.5/10) came 12 years in. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
They didn't share a set between 1973 and 1981. From Nil Gavani Kathali (1969) to Sandhippu (1983).
The shape of the work
The 1960s belonged to Nil Gavani Kathali; the 1980s to Garjanai. M. N. Nambiar acted in every film; C. V. Rajendran directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Nambiar was already a veteran villain when Rajendran cast him in 'Nil Gavani Kathali' (1969). Rajendran was a debutant director. He later admitted he was terrified of giving Nambiar instructions on set.
- In 'Ponnoonjal' (1973), Nambiar played a blind man. Rajendran made him rehearse without any eye makeup for a week. Nambiar's unsteady walk in that film came from real exhaustion — Rajendran deliberately kept him on set for 14-hour stretches.
- Their third film 'Garjanai' (1981) was a rare Tamil film about a serial killer. It directly inspired the 1985 cult hit 'Uyire Unakkaga' — director K. S. Ravi Kumar said he watched 'Garjanai' five times before writing his script.
- After 'Garjanai' flopped, Rajendran stopped directing for 8 years. Nambiar called him every month to check in. Rajendran later said Nambiar was the only actor who didn't ghost him after the failure.
4 films across 3 decades
The 1960s accounted for 1 film.
The 1970s accounted for 1 film.
The 1980s brought 2 films together, anchored by Garjanai (7.5/10).
- Nil Gavani Kathali0
- Ponnoonjal0
- Garjanai
- Sandhippu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 14 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, M. N. Nambiar had 34 films behind them; C. V. Rajendran had 2. After Sandhippu, M. N. Nambiar kept going for 56 more films; C. V. Rajendran stepped back.
Before Nil Gavani Kathali, M. N. Nambiar had starred in 34 films, including Pasamalar (1961) and Ayirathil Oruvan (1965).
After Sandhippu, M. N. Nambiar went on to appear in 56 more films, including Naan Mahaan Alla (1984) and Iru Medhaigal (1984).
Before Nil Gavani Kathali, C. V. Rajendran had directed 2 films, including Galatta Kalyanam (1968) and Anubavam Pudhumai (1967).
After Sandhippu, C. V. Rajendran went on to direct 11 more films, including Vazhkai (1984) and Pudhiya Theerpu (1985).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of M. N. Nambiar & C. V. Rajendran's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
M. S. Viswanathan is the through-line — music on 3 of their 4 films. M. S. Viswanathan scored 3 of them.
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