Rajinikanth & Senthil Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Rajinikanth and Senthil appeared together in 4 Tamil films between 1987 and 1995. Their highest-rated collaboration was Veera (1994 — 6.5/10). Films span Manithan (1987) through Muthu (1995).
The Rajinikanth & Senthil partnership
They saved their best for last — Veera (6.5/10) came 7 years in. From Manithan (1987) to Muthu (1995). The unfolded closed with Muthu in 1995.
It started with Manithan (1987).
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 75% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Manithan; the 1990s to Veera. Rajinikanth acted in every film; Senthil acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Rajinikanth personally requested Senthil for Manithan (1987). Senthil was still a rising comedian, and Rajini wanted a fresh face to bounce off his serious role. The director agreed only after Rajini insisted.
- In Veera (1994), Rajinikanth deliberately slowed his dialogue delivery to match Senthil's comic timing. Senthil's rapid-fire one-liners would land harder because Rajini paused just before them. The scene where they argue over a stolen chicken is still quoted in Tamil tea stalls.
- During Dharma Dorai (1991), Senthil would bring homemade snacks to the set every morning. Rajinikanth, who was already a superstar, would wait for him to finish eating before starting the first shot. They never discussed it — it just became a ritual.
- The success of their comic track in Manithan (1987) directly led to a wave of 'hero-comedian buddy films' in Tamil cinema through the early 90s. Directors started writing separate comic subplots for the hero's sidekick — a trend that peaked with films like Baasha (1995), though Rajini and Senthil never reunited after Veera.
4 films across 2 decades
The 1980s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.0/10.
The 1990s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.8/10.
- Manithan
- Veera
- Muthu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 8 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, Rajinikanth had 93 films behind them; Senthil had 38. After Muthu, Senthil kept going for 73 more films; Rajinikanth stepped back.
Before Manithan, Rajinikanth had starred in 93 films, including Padhinaru Vayadhiniley (1977) and Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979).
After Muthu, Rajinikanth went on to appear in 24 more films, including Robot (2010) and Petta (2019).
Before Manithan, Senthil had starred in 38 films, including Nalla Naal (1984) and Pasi (1979).
After Muthu, Senthil went on to appear in 73 more films, including Indian (1996) and Indian (1996).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Rajinikanth & Senthil's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Meena is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 4 films.
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