C. V. Sridhar & R. Muthuraman Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
C. V. Sridhar and R. Muthuraman appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1962 and 1975. Their highest-rated collaboration was Sumaithaangi (1962 — 7.5/10). Films span Policekaran Magal (1962) through Vaira Nenjam (1975).
The C. V. Sridhar & R. Muthuraman partnership
From Policekaran Magal (1962) to Vaira Nenjam (1975). Nenjirukkumvarai (1967, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue. Sumaithaangi is the one most viewers reach for.
The unfolded closed with Vaira Nenjam in 1975. It started with Policekaran Magal (1962).
The shape of the work
The 1960s account for 88% of everything they made together. The 1960s belonged to Sumaithaangi; the 1970s to Vaira Nenjam. C. V. Sridhar directed every film; R. Muthuraman acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Sridhar discovered Muthuraman as a stage actor and cast him in 'Policekaran Magal' (1962) — but only after Muthuraman begged for a screen test. Sridhar initially thought he was too raw for cinema.
- On 'Nenjirukkumvarai' (1967), Sridhar let Muthuraman rewrite his own dialogues in natural spoken Tamil. The result? The film's most quoted line — 'Ullam uruguthada' — was Muthuraman's improvisation, not in Sridhar's script.
- Their 1967 hit 'Ooty Varai Uravu' directly inspired director K. Balachander to cast Muthuraman in his breakthrough film 'Ethir Neechal' (1968). Balachander later said he watched Sridhar's film to learn how to use Muthuraman's understated style.
- After every film wrap, Sridhar and Muthuraman would share a single cigarette — a ritual they kept for all 7 films. Muthuraman didn't smoke otherwise. He said it was their 'silent toast' to a finished project.
- Muthuraman once told a magazine: 'Sridhar saw the common man in me. I saw the artist in him. We met in the middle.'
8 films across 2 decades
The 1960s brought 7 films together, anchored by Sumaithaangi (7.5/10).
The 1970s accounted for 1 film.
- Sumaithaangi
- Nenjirukkumvarai
- Vaira Nenjam0
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 films across 13 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
Before Policekaran Magal, C. V. Sridhar had directed 4 films, including Punar Jenmam (1961) and Vidivelli (1960).
After Vaira Nenjam, C. V. Sridhar went on to direct 17 more films, including Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) and Ninaivellam Nithya (1982).
Before Policekaran Magal, R. Muthuraman had starred in 2 films, including Padikkadha Medhai (1960) and Mahalakshmi (1960).
After Vaira Nenjam, R. Muthuraman went on to appear in 31 more films, including Neeya (1979) and Guru (1980).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of C. V. Sridhar & R. Muthuraman's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
M. S. Viswanathan is the through-line — music on 5 of their 8 films. M. S. Viswanathan scored 5 of them. They worked with the same 6 people again and again — a small repertory company.
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