Bharathiraja & Ilayaraja Movies Together List — 22 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Bharathiraja and Ilayaraja appeared together in 22 Tamil films between 1977 and 2023. Their highest-rated collaboration was Nizhalgal (1980 — 8.5/10). Films span Padhinaru Vayadhiniley (1977) through Margazhi Thingal (2023).
The Bharathiraja & Ilayaraja partnership
After 31 years apart, they came back together for Margazhi Thingal (2023). They didn't share a set between 1992 and 2023. Their work runs across 4 decades of Tamil cinema.
The work is uneven: Nizhalgal (8.5) at one end, Thanthu Vitten Ennai (1.0) at the other. From Padhinaru Vayadhiniley (1977) to Margazhi Thingal (2023).
The shape of the work
The 1970s belonged to Padhinaru Vayadhiniley; the 2020s to Margazhi Thingal. Bharathiraja director in some, actor in others. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
22 films across 4 decades
The 1970s brought 5 films together, anchored by Padhinaru Vayadhiniley (8.4/10).
The 1980s brought 12 films together, anchored by Nizhalgal (8.5/10).
The 1990s brought 4 films together, anchored by Nadodi Thendral (7.5/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.4/10.
- Padhinaru Vayadhiniley
- Kizhake Pogum Rail
- Nizhalgal
- Alaigal Oivathillai
- Nadodi Thendral
- Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
- Margazhi Thingal
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
22 films across 46 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
85% of Bharathiraja's screen credits are with Ilayaraja.
Padhinaru Vayadhiniley was Bharathiraja's directorial debut.
After Margazhi Thingal, Bharathiraja went on to direct 4 more films, including Kalvan (2024) and Thiru.Manickam (2024).
Padhinaru Vayadhiniley was Ilayaraja's acting debut.
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Bharathiraja & Ilayaraja's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Janagaraj appears alongside them in 8 films — practically a third lead. They worked with the same 15 people again and again — a small repertory company.
8
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
32
2
2
222
2
2
2
2
2
833232Other iconic Tamil director-actor duos
Discover other partnerships with comparable filmographies and ratings
