Dhanush & Ilavarasu Movies Together List — 6 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-21 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Dhanush and Ilavarasu appeared together in 6 Tamil films between 2003 and 2025. Their highest-rated collaboration was Raayan (2024 — 7.0/10). Films span Thiruda Thirudi (2003) through Idli Kadai (2025).
The Dhanush & Ilavarasu partnership
After 11 years apart, they came back together for Maaran (2022). They didn't share a set between 2011 and 2022. They saved their best for last — Raayan (7.0/10) came 21 years in.
Their work runs across 3 decades of Tamil cinema. From Thiruda Thirudi (2003) to Idli Kadai (2025).
The shape of the work
The 2000s belonged to Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam; the 2020s to Raayan. Dhanush acted in every film; Ilavarasu acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Dhanush was just 19 and a newcomer when he signed Thiruda Thirudi (2003). Ilavarasu, already a seasoned character actor, was cast as the villain. The director later said Ilavarasu's presence on set calmed Dhanush's nerves during his early fight scenes.
- In Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam (2006), Ilavarasu played Dhanush's father. Their scenes together had a natural rhythm because Ilavarasu deliberately slowed his dialogue delivery to match Dhanush's then-raw, rapid-fire style — making the father-son arguments feel real, not rehearsed.
- Ilavarasu once revealed in an interview that Dhanush personally called him to ask for his availability for Maaran (2022) — 16 years after their last film together. Ilavarasu said yes without reading the script, purely because Dhanush asked.
- "He never treated me like a junior artist. Even in 2003, he'd ask my opinion on his dialogue delivery. That's rare for a hero." — Ilavarasu on Dhanush, in a 2022 interview about Maaran.
- Thiruda Thirudi (2003) was Dhanush's first film as a lead. Ilavarasu's role as the antagonist gave the film a credible threat — without that performance, Dhanush's debut might not have earned the cult status it enjoys today among 2000s Tamil cinema fans.
6 films across 3 decades
The 2000s accounted for 2 films, averaging 6.7/10.
The 2010s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.5/10.
The 2020s brought 3 films together, anchored by Raayan (7.0/10).
- Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
- Thiruda Thirudi
- Seedan
- Raayan
- Idli Kadai
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
6 films across 22 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
75% of Dhanush's screen credits are with Ilavarasu.
Before Thiruda Thirudi, Dhanush had starred in 1 film, including Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002).
After Idli Kadai, Dhanush went on to appear in 1 more film, including Kara (2026).
Before Thiruda Thirudi, Ilavarasu had starred in 10 films, including University (2002) and Shahjahan (2001).
After Idli Kadai, Ilavarasu went on to appear in 4 more films, including Thaai Kizhavi (2026) and Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (2026).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Dhanush & Ilavarasu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
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