Sivaji Ganesan & Pushpalatha Movies Together List — 7 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Sivaji Ganesan and Pushpalatha appeared together in 7 Tamil films between 1962 and 1983. Their highest-rated collaboration was Aalayamani (1962 — 7.5/10). Films span Aalayamani (1962) through Sumangali (1983).
The Sivaji Ganesan & Pushpalatha partnership
After 14 years apart, they came back together for Vetrikku Oruvan (1979). They didn't share a set between 1965 and 1979. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema.
Remarkably even — every film rates between 7.5 and 7.5. From Aalayamani (1962) to Sumangali (1983).
The shape of the work
The 1960s account for 71% of everything they made together. The 1960s belonged to Aalayamani; the 1980s to Sumangali. Sivaji Ganesan acted in every film; Pushpalatha acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Sivaji Ganesan personally requested Pushpalatha for Aalayamani (1962) after seeing her in a stage play. He told the director she had the 'sad eyes' the role needed.
- In Paar Magale Paar (1963), Pushpalatha's character was supposed to be meek. But she kept adding small defiant gestures during rehearsals. Sivaji noticed and told the director to rewrite her scenes to match her energy.
- On the sets of Ratha Thilagam (1963), Pushpalatha would cook Sivaji's favorite Kerala-style fish curry every Friday. He called it 'the only thing that kept him awake during night shoots.'
- Their pairing in Pachai Vilakku (1964) was so beloved that it directly inspired the 1965 hit Neerkumizhi — the producer cast the same lead pair specifically to recreate their 'village romance' vibe.
- Pushpalatha once said in a 1984 interview: 'Sivaji sir never let me feel like a junior artist. He would whisper the next dialogue if I forgot — even if the director was yelling.'
- After Sumangali (1983) wrapped, they never spoke again. No fight — Pushpalatha just quit films to focus on her family. Sivaji sent her a handwritten note saying he'd miss her 'silent strength on set.'
7 films across 3 decades
The 1960s brought 5 films together, anchored by Aalayamani (7.5/10).
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Vetrikku Oruvan (7.5/10).
The 1980s accounted for 1 film.
- Aalayamani
- Ratha Thilagam
- Vetrikku Oruvan
- Sumangali0
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
7 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
64% of Pushpalatha's screen credits are with Sivaji Ganesan. After Sumangali, Sivaji Ganesan kept going for 47 more films; Pushpalatha stepped back.
Before Aalayamani, Sivaji Ganesan had starred in 17 films, including Pasamalar (1961) and Palum Pazhamum (1961).
After Sumangali, Sivaji Ganesan went on to appear in 47 more films, including Iru Medhaigal (1984) and Padikkaatha Pannaiyar (1985).
Before Aalayamani, Pushpalatha had starred in 1 film, including Kongunattu Thangam (1961).
After Sumangali, Pushpalatha went on to appear in 3 more films, including Oorukku Ubadesam (1984) and Ninaivugal (1984).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Sivaji Ganesan & Pushpalatha's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
M. R. Radha is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 7 films. Viswanathan Ramamoorthy scored 3 of them. M. R. Radha appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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