Manivannan & Thalaivasal Vijay Movies Together List — 17 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manivannan and Thalaivasal Vijay appeared together in 17 Tamil films between 1988 and 2008. Their highest-rated collaboration was Mugam (1999 — 7.5/10). Films span Ullathil Nalla Ullam (1988) through Nenjathai Killadhe (2008).
The Manivannan & Thalaivasal Vijay partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. After 8 years apart, they came back together for Kadhal Kottai (1996). 1998 was their peak — 5 films in twelve months.
They didn't share a set between 1988 and 1996. For 20 years, a Manivannan–Thalaivasal film arrived almost every year.
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 65% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Ullathil Nalla Ullam; the 2000s to Nenjathai Killadhe. Manivannan director in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manivannan actually cast Thalaivasal Vijay in his directorial debut 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' (1988) after spotting him in a stage play. Vijay was so nervous on the first day that Manivannan had to calm him down by saying, 'Just act like you're talking to your friend.'
- In 'Nandhini' (1997), Manivannan played the villain and Thalaivasal Vijay played the hero's friend. Manivannan deliberately slowed down his dialogue delivery in their confrontation scene to make Vijay's reactions look more intense — a trick he used in multiple films to make his co-star shine.
- Thalaivasal Vijay once revealed that Manivannan never called him by his name on set. He always addressed him as 'Thambi' (younger brother). Even after the shoot wrapped, Manivannan would call him that for years — a sign of the mentor-mentee bond they shared off-screen.
- Their 1998 film 'Poonthottam' was the first Tamil movie where Thalaivasal Vijay played a full-length comedic role. The film's success directly led to him being typecast as a comedy actor for the next decade — a career shift that started because Manivannan insisted he try humour instead of serious roles.
- Thalaivasal Vijay once said in an interview: 'Manivannan sir never let me feel like a supporting actor. He would rewrite scenes to give me a moment that the audience would remember. That's why I did every film he asked me to.'
17 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.7/10.
The 1990s brought 11 films together, anchored by Mugam (7.5/10).
The 2000s brought 5 films together, anchored by Nenjathai Killadhe (7.5/10).
- Ullathil Nalla Ullam
- Mugam
- Poonthottam
- Nenjathai Killadhe
- Ennavale
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
17 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
34% of Manivannan's screen credits are with Thalaivasal Vijay. After Nenjathai Killadhe, Thalaivasal Vijay kept going for 53 more films; Manivannan stepped back.
Before Ullathil Nalla Ullam, Manivannan had starred in 22 films, including Nizhalgal (1980) and Muthal Vasantham (1986).
After Nenjathai Killadhe, Manivannan went on to appear in 11 more films, including Sadhurangam (2011) and Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013).
Ullathil Nalla Ullam was Thalaivasal Vijay's acting debut.
After Nenjathai Killadhe, Thalaivasal Vijay went on to appear in 53 more films, including Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad (2024) and Kaithi (2019).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manivannan & Thalaivasal Vijay's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Ilayaraja scored 7 of them. They worked with the same 8 people again and again — a small repertory company. Charle appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
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