Manivannan & Vijayakumar Movies Together List — 15 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manivannan and Vijayakumar appeared together in 15 Tamil films between 1994 and 2006. Their highest-rated collaboration was Thai Maaman (1994 — 7.5/10). Films span Thai Maaman (1994) through Dharmapuri (2006).
The Manivannan & Vijayakumar partnership
2005 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months. For 12 years, a Manivannan–Vijayakumar film arrived almost every year. From Thai Maaman (1994) to Dharmapuri (2006).
Sangamam (1999, 7.5/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue. Thai Maaman is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 1990s belonged to Thai Maaman; the 2000s to Ji. Manivannan acted in every film; Vijayakumar acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manivannan actually discovered Vijayakumar as a child artist for 'Thai Maaman' (1994). He spotted the kid in a school play and insisted he audition — that film became Vijayakumar's debut as a lead.
- On the set of 'Maanbumigu Maanavan' (1996), Manivannan would deliberately mess up his lines to make Vijayakumar laugh during serious scenes. Vijayakumar later said this taught him to stay in character no matter what.
- After 'Periya Idathu Maapillai' (1997) wrapped, Manivannan gifted Vijayakumar his own wristwatch — a habit he had with only a handful of co-stars. Vijayakumar still keeps it.
- Their 1998 film 'En Aasai Rasave' directly launched the career of composer Deva's son, Srikanth Deva, who made his debut as a music director on that project. Manivannan insisted on giving the young composer a break.
- Vijayakumar once said in a 2006 interview: 'Manivannan sir never treated me like a co-star. He treated me like his son. He'd scold me if I was late, then buy me biryani after the shot.'
- In 'Youth' (2002), Manivannan played Vijayakumar's father — but on set, he reversed roles. He'd whisper acting tips to Vijayakumar between takes, then step back and let the younger actor take full credit for the scene.
15 films across 2 decades
The 1990s brought 8 films together, anchored by Thai Maaman (7.5/10).
The 2000s accounted for 7 films, averaging 5.0/10.
- Thai Maaman
- Sangamam
- Ji
- Chinna
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
15 films across 12 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, Manivannan had 33 films behind them; Vijayakumar had 98.
Before Thai Maaman, Manivannan had starred in 33 films, including Nizhalgal (1980) and Muthal Vasantham (1986).
After Dharmapuri, Manivannan went on to appear in 24 more films, including Nenjathai Killadhe (2008) and Sivaji (2007).
Before Thai Maaman, Vijayakumar had starred in 98 films, including Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) and Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993).
After Dharmapuri, Vijayakumar went on to appear in 35 more films, including Entha Manchivaadavuraa (2020) and Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manivannan & Vijayakumar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Deva scored 6 of them. They worked with the same 9 people again and again — a small repertory company. Vivek appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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