Rajinikanth & Raghuvaran Movies Together List — 9 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-03 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Rajinikanth and Raghuvaran appeared together in 9 Tamil films between 1986 and 2007. Their highest-rated collaboration was Sivaji (2007 — 7.2/10). Films span Mr. Bharath (1986) through Sivaji (2007).
The Rajinikanth & Raghuvaran partnership
After 10 years apart, they came back together for Sivaji (2007). They didn't share a set between 1997 and 2007. They saved their best for last — Sivaji (7.2/10) came 21 years in.
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Mr. Bharath (1986) to Sivaji (2007).
The shape of the work
The 1980s belonged to Raja Chinna Roja; the 2000s to Sivaji. Rajinikanth acted in every film; Raghuvaran acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Raghuvaran was initially hesitant to play the villain in Manithan (1987) because he thought the role was too one-dimensional. Rajinikanth personally called him and said, 'I need you to make this character scary, not just loud.' That call sealed the deal.
- In Siva (1989), Rajinikanth and Raghuvaran shot the climax fight without any stunt doubles. Rajini later said Raghuvaran's intensity made him push harder — he didn't want to look weak next to a guy who could actually fight.
- Raghuvaran never rehearsed his dialogues before a scene. He'd walk onto the set and improvise. Rajinikanth, who usually planned every beat, told a magazine in 1990 that Raghuvaran's unpredictability forced him to stay on his toes — 'He made me a better actor because I couldn't rely on my usual tricks.'
- During the shoot of Raja Chinna Roja (1989), Rajinikanth and Raghuvaran would share a cup of tea between takes and discuss philosophy — specifically, the nature of good and evil. Raghuvaran later said those conversations changed how he approached his villain roles.
- The face-off scene in Baashha (1995) — where Raghuvaran's character says 'Naan oru dhadavai sonna, nooru dhadavai sonna madhiri' — directly inspired the villain template for every major Tamil action film in the late 90s. Directors started casting actors with theatre backgrounds specifically to match that energy.
- Raghuvaran once said in an interview: 'Rajini and I never competed. We just tried to outdo each other's performance. That's why our scenes together feel like a fight — but a respectful one.'
9 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 5 films, averaging 4.4/10.
The 1990s accounted for 3 films, averaging 6.1/10.
The 2000s brought 1 film together, anchored by Sivaji (7.2/10).
- Raja Chinna Roja
- Oorkavalan
- Veera
- Arunachalam
- Sivaji
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
9 films across 21 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
43% of Raghuvaran's screen credits are with Rajinikanth. When they first worked together, Rajinikanth had 87 films behind them; Raghuvaran had 7.
Before Mr. Bharath, Rajinikanth had starred in 87 films, including Padhinaru Vayadhiniley (1977) and Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979).
After Sivaji, Rajinikanth went on to appear in 17 more films, including Robot (2010) and Petta (2019).
Before Mr. Bharath, Raghuvaran had starred in 7 films, including Ezhavathu Manithan (1982) and Engirunthalum Vazhga (1985).
After Sivaji, Raghuvaran went on to appear in 5 more films, including Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008) and Ashoka (2008).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Rajinikanth & Raghuvaran's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Ilayaraja scored 4 of them.
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