M. S. Viswanathan & K. Balaji Movies Together List — 13 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-03 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
M. S. Viswanathan and K. Balaji appeared together in 13 Tamil films between 1965 and 1982. Their highest-rated collaboration was Shanti Nilayam (1969 — 7.6/10). Films span Vazhkai Padagu (1965) through Theerpu (1982).
The M. S. Viswanathan & K. Balaji partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. For 17 years, a M.–K. film arrived almost every year. Remarkably even — every film rates between 6.5 and 7.6.
From Vazhkai Padagu (1965) to Theerpu (1982). Theerpu (1982, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 1960s belonged to Shanti Nilayam; the 1980s to Billa. M. S. Viswanathan scored every film; K. Balaji acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
13 films across 3 decades
The 1960s brought 4 films together, anchored by Shanti Nilayam (7.6/10).
The 1970s accounted for 6 films, averaging 6.5/10.
The 1980s brought 3 films together, anchored by Billa (7.5/10).
- Shanti Nilayam
- Vazhkai Padagu0
- En Magan
- Sorgam0
- Billa
- Theerpu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
13 films across 17 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
45% of K. Balaji's screen credits are with M. S. Viswanathan. After Theerpu, M. S. Viswanathan kept going for 86 more films; K. Balaji stepped back.
Vazhkai Padagu was M. S. Viswanathan's acting debut.
After Theerpu, M. S. Viswanathan went on to appear in 86 more films, including Poikkal Kudhirai (1983) and Sandhippu (1983).
Before Vazhkai Padagu, K. Balaji had starred in 13 films, including Kappalottiya Thamizhan (1961) and Vidivelli (1960).
After Theerpu, K. Balaji went on to appear in 3 more films, including Paayum Puli (1983) and Vidhi (1984).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of M. S. Viswanathan & K. Balaji's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Sivaji Ganesan is the through-line — cast on 8 of their 13 films. They worked with the same 10 people again and again — a small repertory company. Sivaji Ganesan appears alongside them in 8 films — practically a third lead.
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62Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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