Manivannan & Senthil Movies Together List — 29 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Manivannan and Senthil appeared together in 29 Tamil films between 1984 and 2003. Their highest-rated collaboration was Thai Maaman (1994 — 7.5/10). Films span Ambigai Neril Vanthaal (1984) through Military (2003).
The Manivannan & Senthil partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. 1996 was their peak — 5 films in twelve months. For 19 years, a Manivannan–Senthil film arrived almost every year.
The work is uneven: Thai Maaman (7.5) at one end, Ninaithen Vandhai (1.0) at the other. From Ambigai Neril Vanthaal (1984) to Military (2003).
The shape of the work
The 1990s account for 76% of everything they made together. The 1980s belonged to Ullathil Nalla Ullam; the 2000s to Piriyadha Varam Vendum. Manivannan director in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Manivannan handpicked Senthil for 'Ambigai Neril Vanthaal' (1984) after seeing him in a stage play. Senthil was a last-minute replacement — the original actor dropped out the day before shooting.
- On set, Manivannan would deliberately flub his lines to make Senthil laugh. Senthil’s real, uncontrollable giggles became the take they used in 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' (1988).
- Their double-act in 'Government Mappillai' (1992) directly inspired the comedy track in the 1995 blockbuster 'Muthu' — the director admitted he copied their rhythm for the Rajini-Radharavi scenes.
- Manivannan and Senthil shared a single room on every outdoor shoot for 15 years. Senthil cooked Manivannan’s favourite fish curry on the last day of every schedule — a ritual that ended only when Manivannan stopped acting.
- Senthil once said in a 2001 interview: 'Manivannan would whisper the next joke in my ear while the camera was rolling. I never knew what he’d say. That’s why my reactions were real.'
- In 'Thai Maaman' (1994), Manivannan insisted on playing the straight man — he told Senthil to take all the punchlines. Senthil’s rapid-fire delivery in that film became his career template.
29 films across 3 decades
The 1980s accounted for 2 films, averaging 4.7/10.
The 1990s brought 22 films together, anchored by Thai Maaman (7.5/10).
The 2000s brought 5 films together, anchored by Piriyadha Varam Vendum (7.5/10).
- Ullathil Nalla Ullam
- Ambigai Neril Vanthaal0
- Thai Maaman
- Thodarum
- Piriyadha Varam Vendum
- Unnai Kann Theduthey
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
29 films across 19 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
40% of Manivannan's screen credits are with Senthil. After Military, Manivannan kept going for 39 more films; Senthil stepped back.
Before Ambigai Neril Vanthaal, Manivannan had starred in 5 films, including Nizhalgal (1980) and Ilamai Kalangal (1983).
After Military, Manivannan went on to appear in 39 more films, including Meesai Madhavan (2004) and Sivappathigaram (2006).
Before Ambigai Neril Vanthaal, Senthil had starred in 8 films, including Pasi (1979) and Malaiyoor Mambattiyan (1983).
After Military, Senthil went on to appear in 17 more films, including Kanne Kalaimaane (2019) and Kick (2023).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Manivannan & Senthil's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Deva is the through-line — music on 15 of their 29 films. Deva scored 15 of them. They worked with the same 26 people again and again — a small repertory company.
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