Manobala & Sundar C. Movies Together List — 9 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manobala and Sundar C. appeared together in 9 Tamil films between 2005 and 2025. Their highest-rated collaboration was Thalai Nagaram (2006 — 6.7/10). Films span Thaka Thimi Tha (2005) through Madha Gaja Raja (2025).
The Manobala & Sundar C. partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Thaka Thimi Tha (2005) to Madha Gaja Raja (2025). Their most recent film, Madha Gaja Raja, came out in 2025 — the partnership is still active.
It started with Thaka Thimi Tha (2005).
The shape of the work
The 2000s belonged to Thalai Nagaram; the 2020s to Aranmanai 3. Sundar C. director in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Sundar C. was already a bankable star when he signed Manobala's directorial debut Thaka Thimi Tha (2005). But here's the twist: Manobala had never directed before. Sundar bet on a first-timer because Manobala had been a veteran assistant to K. Bhagyaraj and knew comedy timing inside out.
- On the sets of Thalai Nagaram (2006), Sundar C. would rewrite Manobala's dialogue on the spot — and Manobala let him. Sundar's street-smart improvisation turned a routine cop story into a film that still gets quoted in Chennai tea stalls. Manobala later admitted Sundar saved the film's second half.
- Kalakalappu 2 (2018) was a hit, but its real ripple was launching a new comedy pair: Sundar C. and Jai. That combo went on to do three more films together. None of that happens if Manobala hadn't cast Jai opposite Sundar in that film.
- Manobala and Sundar C. were close friends off-screen for over a decade. When Manobala fell seriously ill in 2020, Sundar was one of the first to visit him in the hospital and quietly covered part of his treatment bills. Manobala's family later confirmed this in a thank-you post.
9 films across 3 decades
The 2000s accounted for 2 films, averaging 6.7/10.
The 2010s accounted for 5 films, averaging 5.3/10.
The 2020s accounted for 2 films, averaging 4.7/10.
- Thalai Nagaram
- Thaka Thimi Tha0
- Kalakalappu
- Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru
- Aranmanai 3
- Madha Gaja Raja
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
9 films across 20 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
33% of Sundar C.'s screen credits are with Manobala. By the time of Thaka Thimi Tha, both already had careers — Manobala with 38 films, Sundar C. with 18.
Before Thaka Thimi Tha, Manobala had starred in 38 films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982).
Before Thaka Thimi Tha, Sundar C. had directed 18 films, including Anbe Sivam (2003) and Giri (2004).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manobala & Sundar C.'s professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
U.K. Senthil Kumar is the through-line — cinematography on 5 of their 9 films. Santhanam appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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