Manobala & Lakshmi Rai Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manobala and Lakshmi Rai appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 2011 and 2017. Their highest-rated collaboration was Irumbu Kuthirai (2014 — 6.5/10). Films span Kanchana (2011) through Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017).
The Manobala & Lakshmi Rai partnership
Between 2011 and 2017, they barely worked apart — 6 films in 6 years. For 6 years, a Manobala–Lakshmi film arrived almost every year. From Kanchana (2011) to Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017).
It started with Kanchana (2011).
The shape of the work
Manobala acted in every film; Lakshmi Rai acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manobala didn't just act with Lakshmi Rai — he directed her in 'Sowkarpettai' (2016). That film was his directorial debut, and he cast her as the female lead before they'd ever shared screen space.
- In 'Kanchana' (2011), Lakshmi Rai played the love interest while Manobala played the comic sidekick. Their scenes together were built on her straight-faced reactions to his over-the-top physical comedy — she never cracked a smile, which made his antics land harder.
- Manobala and Lakshmi Rai stayed in touch after their films ended. He reportedly called her 'daughter' on set, and she referred to him as a mentor — a bond that lasted beyond the three-film run.
- Lakshmi Rai once said in an interview: 'Manobala sir made me feel so comfortable that I didn't even realize I was acting with a legend. He'd crack a joke before every take and suddenly we'd be rolling.'
6 films across 1 decade
- Irumbu Kuthirai
- Sowkarpettai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 6 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, Manobala had 68 films behind them; Lakshmi Rai had 12. After Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva, Manobala kept going for 66 more films; Lakshmi Rai stepped back.
Before Kanchana, Manobala had starred in 68 films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982).
After Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva, Manobala went on to appear in 66 more films, including Kaatrin Mozhi (2018) and Irugapatru (2023).
Before Kanchana, Lakshmi Rai had starred in 12 films, including Kanchanamala Cable TV (2005) and Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam (2010).
After Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva, Lakshmi Rai went on to appear in 4 more films, including Where Is The Venkatalakshmi (2019) and Bholaa (2023).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manobala & Lakshmi Rai's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Kovai Sarala is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 6 films. Kovai Sarala appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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