Manobala & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 13 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manobala and Ilayaraja appeared together in 13 Tamil films between 1979 and 2008. Their highest-rated collaboration was Pithamagan (2003 — 7.8/10). Films span Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) through Dhanam (2008).
The Manobala & Ilayaraja partnership
Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema. They saved their best for last — Pithamagan (7.8/10) came 24 years in. After 9 years apart, they came back together for Pithamagan (2003).
They didn't share a set between 1994 and 2003. From Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) to Dhanam (2008).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Puthiya Vaarpugal; the 2000s to Pithamagan. Manobala actor in some, director in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
13 films across 4 decades
The 1970s brought 1 film together, anchored by Puthiya Vaarpugal (7.5/10).
The 1980s brought 7 films together, anchored by Gopurangal Saivathillai (7.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 3 films, averaging 6.0/10.
The 2000s brought 2 films together, anchored by Pithamagan (7.8/10).
- Puthiya Vaarpugal
- Gopurangal Saivathillai
- Agaya Gangai
- Vetri Padigal
- Thozhar Pandian
- Pithamagan
- Dhanam
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
13 films across 29 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
50% of Ilayaraja's screen credits are with Manobala. After Dhanam, Manobala kept going for 170 more films; Ilayaraja stepped back.
Puthiya Vaarpugal was Manobala's directorial debut.
After Dhanam, Manobala went on to direct 170 more films, including 10 Enradhukulla (2015) and Kaatrin Mozhi (2018).
Puthiya Vaarpugal was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Dhanam, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 13 more films, including Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018) and Naan Kadavul (2009).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manobala & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
They worked with the same 5 people again and again — a small repertory company. Janagaraj appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
