Kamal Haasan & K. S. Ravikumar Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Kamal Haasan and K. S. Ravikumar appeared together in 5 Tamil films between 1996 and 2010. Their highest-rated collaboration was Dasavathaaram (2008 — 6.6/10). Films span Avvai Shanmughi (1996) through Manmadhan Ambu (2010).
The Kamal Haasan & K. S. Ravikumar partnership
They saved their best for last — Dasavathaaram (6.6/10) came 12 years in. Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Avvai Shanmughi (1996) to Manmadhan Ambu (2010).
It started with Avvai Shanmughi (1996).
The shape of the work
The 2000s account for 60% of everything they made together. The 1990s belonged to Avvai Shanmughi; the 2010s to Manmadhan Ambu. Kamal Haasan acted in every film; K. S. Ravikumar directed all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Kamal Haasan personally called K. S. Ravikumar to direct Avvai Shanmughi (1996) after seeing his comedy timing in a small film. Ravikumar was shocked — he thought Kamal would pick a bigger name.
- On Panchathanthiram (2002), Ravikumar let Kamal rewrite entire scenes during shoot. Kamal would pace around, mutter dialogues, then deliver a version funnier than the script. Ravikumar just said 'cut' and moved on.
- Avvai Shanmughi (1996) directly inspired the Hindi blockbuster Chachi 420 (1997) — which Kamal himself directed and starred in. That film exists only because Ravikumar first proved the concept worked in Tamil.
- During Dasavathaaram (2008), Ravikumar had a heart scare on set. Kamal quietly took over direction for two days without telling the crew, then handed back the chair when Ravikumar returned. They never spoke about it publicly.
- K. S. Ravikumar once said: 'Kamal sir doesn't need a director. He needs someone to say 'action' and 'cut' and stay out of his way. I was happy to be that person.'
- On Thenali (2000), Ravikumar deliberately shot Kamal's comedy scenes in long, unbroken takes — no cuts. He knew Kamal's timing worked best when he could ride a single rhythm without interruption. That film's hospital sequence is a masterclass in that approach.
5 films across 3 decades
The 1990s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.9/10.
The 2000s accounted for 3 films, averaging 6.3/10.
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.9/10.
- Avvai Shanmughi
- Dasavathaaram
- Panchathanthiram
- Manmadhan Ambu
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 14 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, Kamal Haasan had 148 films behind them; K. S. Ravikumar had 14. After Manmadhan Ambu, K. S. Ravikumar kept going for 46 more films; Kamal Haasan stepped back.
Before Avvai Shanmughi, Kamal Haasan had starred in 148 films, including Enakkul Oruvan (1984) and Enakkul Oruvan (1984).
After Manmadhan Ambu, Kamal Haasan went on to appear in 22 more films, including Vikram (2022) and Papanasam (2015).
Before Avvai Shanmughi, K. S. Ravikumar had directed 14 films, including Cheran Pandiyan (1991) and Muthu (1995).
After Manmadhan Ambu, K. S. Ravikumar went on to direct 46 more films, including Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal (2022) and Naan Sirithal (2020).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Kamal Haasan & K. S. Ravikumar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Nagesh is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 5 films. Nagesh appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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