Prakash Raj & Mani Ratnam Movies Together List — 9 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Prakash Raj and Mani Ratnam appeared together in 9 Tamil films between 1995 and 2023. Their highest-rated collaboration was Ponniyin Selvan 1 (2022 — 7.8/10). Films span Bombay (1995) through Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023).
The Prakash Raj & Mani Ratnam partnership
After 13 years apart, they came back together for OK Kanmani (2015). They didn't share a set between 2002 and 2015. They saved their best for last — Ponniyin Selvan 1 (7.8/10) came 27 years in.
Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema. From Bombay (1995) to Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023).
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Iruvar; the 2020s to Ponniyin Selvan 1. Mani Ratnam director in some, producer in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Prakash Raj wasn't even an actor when Mani Ratnam cast him in Iruvar (1997). He was a dubbing artist and TV anchor. Mani heard his voice, saw his face, and gave him the role of a lifetime — the film that launched his acting career.
- On the sets of Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Mani Ratnam gave Prakash Raj zero dialogue rehearsals. He just said the scene's emotion and let Prakash improvise. That raw, unpolished delivery became the film's most heartbreaking moments — especially the courtroom scene.
- Prakash Raj has said in interviews that Mani Ratnam is the only director who can make him cry on set. During the climax of Kannathil Muthamittal, Mani quietly whispered the backstory of the character to him just before the shot — and Prakash broke down on camera.
- Their collaboration in Iruvar (1997) directly inspired a generation of Tamil filmmakers to cast non-actors in lead roles. Before that, dubbing artists rarely crossed over to mainstream acting. Prakash Raj's success opened the door for voice artists like R. Sarathkumar and others.
- Prakash Raj once said: 'Mani sir doesn't direct you. He just creates a space and lets you fall into it. I've never had that freedom with any other director.' He said this in a 2018 interview about Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.
- In OK Kanmani (2015), Mani Ratnam deliberately cast Prakash Raj as the aging, lonely father — a role completely opposite to his usual authoritative characters. Prakash had to unlearn his trademark loudness. Mani made him do 17 retakes of one silent crying scene until he got the stillness right.
9 films across 4 decades
The 1990s accounted for 4 films, averaging 5.7/10.
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.6/10.
The 2010s brought 2 films together, anchored by OK Kanmani (7.2/10).
The 2020s brought 2 films together, anchored by Ponniyin Selvan 1 (7.8/10).
- Iruvar
- Bombay
- Kannathil Muthamittal
- OK Kanmani
- Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
- Ponniyin Selvan 1
- Ponniyin Selvan 2
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
9 films across 28 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
41% of Prakash Raj's screen credits are with Mani Ratnam.
Before Bombay, Prakash Raj had starred in 2 films, including Nila (1994) and Duet (1994).
After Ponniyin Selvan 2, Prakash Raj went on to appear in 11 more films, including Raayan (2024) and CHAMPION (2025).
Before Bombay, Mani Ratnam had directed 11 films, including Agni Nakshatram (1988) and Mouna Ragam (1986).
After Ponniyin Selvan 2, Mani Ratnam went on to direct 1 more film, including Thug Life (2025).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Prakash Raj & Mani Ratnam's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
A. R. Rahman is the through-line — music on 7 of their 9 films. A. R. Rahman scored 7 of them. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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