Nassar & Mani Ratnam Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Nassar and Mani Ratnam appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 1987 and 2025. Their highest-rated collaboration was Indira (1995 — 7.5/10). Films span Nayagan (1987) through Thug Life (2025).
The Nassar & Mani Ratnam partnership
After 28 years apart, they came back together for Thug Life (2025). They didn't share a set between 1997 and 2025. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
From Nayagan (1987) to Thug Life (2025). Their most recent film, Thug Life, came out in 2025 — the partnership is still active.
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 67% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Nayagan; the 2020s to Thug Life. Nassar acted in every film; Mani Ratnam directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
6 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.8/10.
The 1990s brought 4 films together, anchored by Indira (7.5/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.9/10.
- Nayagan
- Indira
- Iruvar
- Thug Life
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 38 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
67% of Nassar's screen credits are with Mani Ratnam.
Before Nayagan, Nassar had starred in 1 film, including Kalyana Agathigal (1985).
After Thug Life, Nassar went on to appear in 2 more films, including Euphoria (2026) and Oh Butterfly! (2026).
Before Nayagan, Mani Ratnam had directed 3 films, including Mouna Ragam (1986) and Idaya Kovil (1985).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Nassar & Mani Ratnam's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
A. R. Rahman is the through-line — music on 4 of their 6 films. A. R. Rahman scored 4 of them. Arvind Swamy appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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