72 articles
16 Vayathinile
16 Vayathinile (பதினாறு வயதினிலே) is a 1977 Tamil romantic drama, Bharathiraja's directorial debut, starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth; the first Tamil film shot entirely outdoors, it won a National Film Award for S. Janaki and was remade as Padaharella Vayasu and Solva Sawan.
Agni Natchathiram (அக்னி நட்சத்திரம்)
Agni Natchathiram (அக்னி நட்சத்திரம்), also Agni Nakshatram, is a 1988 Tamil action drama by Mani Ratnam starring Karthik and Prabhu as feuding stepbrothers, with Ilaiyaraaja's music and P. C. Sreeram's noted cinematography.
Alaigal Oivathillai (அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை)
Alaigal Oivathillai (அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை) is a 1981 Tamil film directed by Bharathiraja, with music by Ilaiyaraaja, that marked the debuts of Karthik and Radha and ran over 200 days.
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (அலிபாபாவும் நாற்பது திருடர்களும்)
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (அலிபாபாவும் நாற்பது திருடர்களும்), aka Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, is a 1956 Tamil fantasy swashbuckler by T. R. Sundaram's Modern Theatres, starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi; the first full-length Gevacolor colour film of Tamil and South Indian cinema.
Amman Kovil Kizhakale (அம்மன் கோயில் கிழக்காலே)
Amman Kovil Kizhakale (அம்மன் கோயில் கிழக்காலே), also spelled Amman Koil Kizhakkaalae, is a 1986 Tamil romantic drama directed by R. Sundarrajan, starring Vijayakanth and Radha, with Ilaiyaraaja's hit music and a 150-plus-day theatrical run.
Andha Naal (அந்த நாள்)
Andha Naal (அந்த நாள், That Day) is a 1954 Tamil mystery-thriller directed by S. Balachander, produced by A. V. Meiyappan, starring Sivaji Ganesan; the first songless Tamil film and first Tamil noir, told through conflicting murder accounts.
Anjali (அஞ்சலி) (1990 film)
Anjali (அஞ்சலி) is Mani Ratnam's 1990 Tamil children's drama about a mentally disabled child reunited with her family. It won three National Film Awards, was India's 1991 Oscar entry, and features Ilaiyaraaja's 500th film score.
Apoorva Raagangal (அபூர்வ ராகங்கள்)
Apoorva Raagangal (அபூர்வ ராகங்கள்), 1975 Tamil romantic drama by K. Balachander; Kamal Haasan, Srividya, Rajinikanth's debut; M.S. Viswanathan music; National Film Award-winning film about intergenerational relationships.
Apoorva Sagodharargal (அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள்) (1989 film)
Apoorva Sagodharargal (அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள்) is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, with Kamal Haasan playing three roles, including a dwarf.
Aval Appadithan (அவள் அப்படித்தான்)
Aval Appadithan (அவள் அப்படித்தான், She Is Like That) is a 1978 Tamil black-and-white drama directed by C. Rudhraiya, starring Sripriya, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth; a feminist cult classic that won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை)
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை), also Aval Oru Thodarkathai, is a 1974 Tamil drama directed and written by K. Balachander from M. S. Perumal's story, starring Sujatha as breadwinner Kavitha, with Kamal Haasan; it won the 1975 Filmfare Best Director award and was remade in four languages.
Ayirathil Oruvan
Ayirathil Oruvan (ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன், One in a Thousand) is a 1965 Tamil adventure film by B. R. Panthulu, the first screen pairing of MGR and Jayalalithaa, restored and re-released in 2014; distinct from the 2010 Selvaraghavan film.
Captain Prabhakaran (கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்)
Captain Prabhakaran (கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்) is a 1991 Tamil action film directed by R. K. Selvamani, starring Vijayakanth as a forest officer hunting smuggler Veerabhadran; his 100th film, source of his 'Captain' title, re-released in 4K in 2025.
Cheran Pandiyan (சேரன் பாண்டியன்)
Cheran Pandiyan (சேரன் பாண்டியன்), also Cheran Pandian, is a 1991 Tamil family drama directed by K. S. Ravikumar, starring Vijayakumar, Sarathkumar and Sreeja, about caste conflict between stepbrothers; it won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and was remade in Telugu and Hindi.
Chinna Thambi (சின்னத்தம்பி)
Chinna Thambi (சின்னத்தம்பி) is a 1991 Tamil romantic musical drama directed by P. Vasu, starring Prabhu and Khushboo with Ilaiyaraaja's music; a blockbuster that ran 356 days in 9 theaters and was remade as Ramachari, Shanthi, and Anari.
Dheerga Sumangali (தீர்க்கசுமங்கலி)
Dheerga Sumangali (தீர்க்கசுமங்கலி), 1974 Tamil drama by A. C. Tirulokchandar starring K. R. Vijaya and R. Muthuraman; released 12 April 1974, remade in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Enga Veettu Pillai (எங்க வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை)
Enga Veettu Pillai (எங்க வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை), 1965 Tamil masala film directed by Tapi Chanakya, starring M. G. Ramachandran in a double role as Ramu and Ilango; a remake of Ramudu Bheemudu, released 14 January 1965, silver jubilee hit, later remade as Ram Aur Shyam.
Ezhaavathu Manithan
Ezhaavathu Manithan (ஏழாவது மனிதன், "The Seventh Man") is a 1982 Tamil-language film directed by K. Harikaran, remembered as the film that introduced actor Raghuvaran as a hero.
Gunaa (குணா)
Gunaa (குணா) is a 1991 Tamil psychological romance directed by Santhana Bharathi, starring Kamal Haasan, Roshini, and Rekha, with Ilaiyaraaja music. A Diwali release that initially underperformed, it became a cult classic, gave Guna Caves its name, and was revived by Manjummel Boys in 2024.
Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (இளமை ஊஞ்சலாடுகிறது)
Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (இளமை ஊஞ்சலாடுகிறது), a 1978 Tamil romance by C. V. Sridhar starring Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, with Ilaiyaraaja music; won Tamil Nadu's Third Best Film award and was remade in Telugu and Hindi.
Johnny (ஜானி)
Johnny (ஜானி) is a 1980 Tamil film directed by J. Mahendran, starring Rajinikanth in a dual role as con artist Johnny and barber Vidyasagar, with Sridevi as singer Archana and music by Ilaiyaraaja; released 15 August 1980, 140 minutes, also shot in Telugu as Aakali Rajyam.
Kadalora Kavithaigal (கடலோரக் கவிதைகள்)
Kadalora Kavithaigal (கடலோரக் கவிதைகள்), also Kadolara Kavithaigal, is a 1986 Tamil romance-drama directed by Bharathiraja, starring Sathyaraj and Rekha, with Ilaiyaraaja's music; it ran 200 days and was remade as Aradhana and Kaurava.
Kadhalikka Neramillai (காதலிக்க நேரமில்லை) (1964 film)
Kadhalikka Neramillai is a 1964 Tamil romantic comedy directed by C. V. Sridhar, remembered as one of the earliest Tamil films shot in Eastman Colour.
Kalathur Kannamma
Kalathur Kannamma (களத்தூர் கண்ணம்மா), also known as Kallathur Kannamma, is a 1960 AVM Productions Tamil drama directed by A. Bhimsingh, starring Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and child actor Kamal Haasan in his debut, released 12 August 1960.
Kalyana Agathigal (கல்யாண அகதிகள்)
Kalyana Agathigal (கல்யாண அகதிகள்) is a 1985 Tamil drama directed and written by K. Balachander, starring Saritha, about women who leave failed marriages and form a music troupe; it marks Nassar's screen debut.
Kanne Kalaimaane (1979 film)
Kanne Kalaimaane (கண்ணே கலைமானே), also called Kanne Kalaimane, is a 2019 Tamil romantic drama directed by Seenu Ramasamy, starring Udhayanidhi Stalin and Tamannaah, released 22 February 2019; not a 1979 film.
Kappalottiya Thamizhan (கப்பலோட்டிய தமிழன்)
Kappalottiya Thamizhan (கப்பலோட்டிய தமிழன்) is a 1961 Tamil biographical film by B. R. Panthulu starring Sivaji Ganesan as V. O. Chidambaram Pillai; it won the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Tamil.
Karagattakaran (கரகாட்டக்காரன்)
Karagattakaran (கரகாட்டக்காரன்), also spelled Karakattakkaran, is a 1989 Tamil romantic comedy dance film directed by Gangai Amaran with Ilaiyaraaja's music, starring Ramarajan and Kanaka as folk dancers; a blockbuster with a 485-day Madurai run.
Karnan (கர்ணன்) (1964 film)
Karnan (கர்ணன்), 1964 Tamil mythological epic by B R Panthulu starring Sivaji Ganesan as Karna and N T Rama Rao as Krishna; National Award winner, digitally restored and re-released in 2012.
Kizhake Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)
Kizhake Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்; Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Eastbound Train) is a 1978 Tamil romantic drama, Bharathiraja's second film, starring debutants Sudhakar and Raadhika with Ilaiyaraaja's music; it ran over 365 days and was remade as Toorpu Velle Railu and Saveray Wali Gaadi.