Mani Ratnam & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 8 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Mani Ratnam and Ilayaraja appeared together in 8 Tamil films between 1985 and 1993. Their highest-rated collaboration was Agni Nakshatram (1988 — 7.5/10). Films span Pagal Nilavu (1985) through Gaayam (1993).
The Mani Ratnam & Ilayaraja partnership
Between 1985 and 1993, they barely worked apart — 8 films in 8 years. For 8 years, a Mani–Ilayaraja film arrived almost every year. From Pagal Nilavu (1985) to Gaayam (1993).
The unfolded closed with Gaayam in 1993. Agni Nakshatram is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 1980s account for 63% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Agni Nakshatram; the 1990s to Thalapathi. Mani Ratnam directed every film; Ilayaraja scored all of them.
8 films across 2 decades
The 1980s brought 5 films together, anchored by Agni Nakshatram (7.5/10).
The 1990s accounted for 3 films, averaging 4.9/10.
- Agni Nakshatram
- Mouna Ragam
- Thalapathi
- Anjali
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
8 films across 8 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 2 languages, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Gaayam, Ilayaraja kept going for 143 more films; Mani Ratnam stepped back.
Pagal Nilavu was Mani Ratnam's directorial debut.
After Gaayam, Mani Ratnam went on to direct 23 more films, including Bombay (1995) and Ponniyin Selvan 1 (2022).
Pagal Nilavu was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
After Gaayam, Ilayaraja went on to appear in 143 more films, including Pithamagan (2003) and Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Mani Ratnam & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Revathi is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 8 films. Revathi appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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