List of Tamil films of 1981

Post-amendment to the Tamil Nadu Entertainments Tax Act 1939 on 1 April 1958, Gross jumped to 140 per cent of Nett [1] Commercial Taxes Department disclosed ₹32 crore in entertainment tax revenue for the year.[2]

The following is a list of films produced in the Tamil film industry in India in 1981, in alphabetical order.

Tamil films released in 1981

Title Director Producer Music Cast
47 Natkal K. Balachander Premalaya Productions M. S. Viswanathan Chiranjeevi, Jaya Prada, Sarath Babu, Rama Prabha
Aani Ver K. Vijayan Vivekananda Pictures Shankar–Ganesh Sivakumar, Saritha, Sathyaraj
Adugal Nanaigindrana P. Madhavan Shanti Chithra Productions Chandrabose Prasad, Roopa
Alaigal Oivathillai Bharathiraja Pavalar Creation Ilaiyaraaja Karthik, Radha, Thiagarajan, Silk Smitha
Amara Kaaviyam Amirtham Viswanathan Combines M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, Sripriya, Madhavi, Jai Ganesh, Nagesh
Anbulla Atthan Kanmani Subbhu Metha Movies M. S. Viswanathan Shoba, Kalaivanan
Andhi Mayakkam Bhanudasan Yuvaraja Pictures Shyam Vanitha, Manoj, Gandhimathi, Vinod, Suveetha
Andru Muthal Indru Varai R. Sundaram Modern Theatres Shankar–Ganesh Sivakumar, Roopa, G. Srinivasan, Jayamala, Kalaranjini
Anicha Malar Sri Vijayakumar Sri Kaleeswari Movies Shankar–Ganesh Raja Bahadoor, Lakshmi Kala, Suruli Rajan, Manorama, Gandhimathi
Andha 7 Naatkal K. Bhagyaraj Srini Creations M. S. Viswanathan K. Bhagyaraj, Ambika, Rajesh
Anjatha Nenjangal R. Thyagarajan Devar Films Shankar–Ganesh K. R. Vijaya, Suman, Saritha, Vanitha
Aradhanai Prasad Dimple Creations Ilaiyaraaja Suman, Sumalatha, Nizhalgal Ravi
Arthangal Ayiram Raj Kannan Sri Amman Creations Shankar–Ganesh Bhuvaneswari
Arumbugal Jupiter Chinnadurai Kamatchi Art Films M. S. Viswanathan Sarath Babu, Sridevi
Avalum Thaayaanal Mohammed Ali Nachiar Films Gunasingh M. G. Venugopal, Jayavani
Aval Oru Kaviyam Durai Sri Sivalayaa Films V. Kumar Jai Ganesh, Sumithra, Savitri, Kavitha, Suruli Rajan, Sachu
Avasarakari K. S. Mathangan Anand Creations Shankar–Ganesh Mohan Kumar, Roopa
Bala Nagamma K. Shankar Charuchithra Films Ilaiyaraaja K. R. Vijaya, Sarath Babu, Sridevi
Chinna Mul Peria Mul N. S. Raj Bharath Indra Creations Shankar–Ganesh Raja, Sreenath, Shanthi Krishna, Sumanjali, 'Baby' Anju
Deiva Thirumanangal P. Neelakantan
K. Shankar
K. Kameswara Rao 		Solar Combines K. V. Mahadevan
M. S. Viswanathan
G. K. Venkatesh 		Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Varalakshmi, Chandra Mohan, Latha, Srividya, Moorthy
Devi Dharisanam K. Shankar Malar Combines M. S. Viswanathan K. R. Vijaya, Latha, Sarath Babu,
Ellam Inba Mayyam G. N. Rangarajan P. A. Art Productions Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Jaishankar, Madhavi, Suman, Surekha, Y. G. Mahendra, K. S. Jayalakshmi, Thengai Srinivasan, Manorama
Enakkaga Kaathiru P. S. Nivas Niveda Combines Ilaiyaraaja Suman, Bhanu Chander, Sumalatha, Nisha
Enga Ooru Kannagi K. Balachander Ranjith Arts M. S. Viswanathan Saritha, Seema, Madhavi, Srikanth, Major Sundarrajan
Engamma Maharani M. A. Kaja Sri Gayathri Enterprises Shankar–Ganesh Delhi Ganesh, Sumithra, Roopa, Suruli Rajan
Garjanai C. V. Rajendran Hem Nag Films Ilaiyaraaja Rajinikanth, Madhavi, Jaishankar, Geetha
Indru Poi Naalai Vaa K. Bhagyaraj Rishad Creations Ilayaraaja K. Bhagyaraj, Radhika, Pazhanisamy, G. Ramli
Jadhikkoru Needhi S. A. Chandrasekhar Vadalooran Combines Shankar–Ganesh Vijayakanth, Swapna
Kaalam R. S. Somanathan Kala Chitra Arts Shankar–Ganesh K. R. Vijaya, Raveendran, Menaka
Kadal Meengal G. N. Rangarajan K. R. G. Art Productions Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Sujatha, Swapna, Suman, Ambika, Nagesh, Thengai Srinivasan
Kadavulin Theerpu C. N. Shanmugam Senthil Sevarkodiyaan Creations R. Govardhanam Vijay Babu, Sangeetha, Major Sundarrajan, C. R. Vijayakumari, Srikanth, Cho, Suruli Rajan
Kalam Oru Naal Maarum N. A. Panneer Selvam Saroj Films V. Kumar Vijayakumar, Saritha
Kalthoon Major Sundarrajan S. S. K. Films M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh
Kannadi M. A. Kaja Senthil Creations V. Kumar Vijayan, Deepa
Kanneer Pookkal Rajasekhar Jayavel Productions Shankar–Ganesh Vijayan, Sripriya, Roopa
Kanneeril Ezhudhadhe Gangai Kondan Iqbal Creation Shyam
Kanni Magamayi M. Duraithangam Sri Kumaralayaa Films Shankar–Ganesh Suruli Rajan
Kanni Theevu T. R. Ramanna Sri Ayvar Art Films Ilaiyaraaja Jaishankar, Radhika, Seema
Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo G. N. Rangarajan Sundari Art Creations Ilaiyaraaja Pratap K. Pothen, Sripriya, Sumalatha, Sundar
Kazhugu S. P. Muthuraman P. A. Art Productions Ilaiyaraaja Rajinikanth, Rathi, Sumalatha, Cho, Thengai Srinivasan, Y. G. Mahendra, Vanitha
Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum V. Srinivasan Vidhya Movies M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Saritha, Sarath Babu, Menaka, Y. G. Mahendra
Kilinjalgal Durai Sunitha Cine Arts T. Rajendar Mohan, Poornima, Dileep
Kodeeswaran Magal A. Kodandarami Reddy Sri Sovereign Combines K. Chakravarthy Sivakumar, Rajyalakshmi, Thengai Srinivasan, Sowcar Janaki, V. K. Ramasamy, Manorama
Koocham Soman Velan Creations Gangai Amaran Sarath Babu
Koyil Puraa K. Vijayan R. M. C. Creations Ilaiyaraaja Saritha, Shankar, K. Murugaiyan, Raja Bahadoor, Silk Smitha
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam S. P. Muthuraman Visakam Pictures M. S. Viswanathan Pratap K. Pothen, Suhasini, Sumalatha, S. Ve. Shekher, Visu, Kamala Kamesh, Nithya
Kulakozhundhu T. R. Ramanna E. V. R. Pictures M. S. Viswanathan Jaishankar, Sripriya
Lorry Driver Rajakannu A. C. Tirulokchandar Raja Mahalakshmi Arts M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, Sripriya, Suruli Rajan
Maadi Veettu Ezhai Amirtham Poompuhar Pictures M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Sripriya
Madhu Malar Bharathi-Vasu Rishad Creations Gangai Amaran Pratap K. Pothen, Suhasini, Dileep, Ratheesh, Vanitha
Magarandham K. S. Gopalakrishnan Chithra Productions Shankar–Ganesh Mohan Ram, Radhika, Aruna
Mangala Lakshmi Thiruchengodu Marimuthu Mahalakshmi Arts Thiruchengodu Marimuthu Srikanth, Sangeetha
Mayil Durai Priya Chithra Films Shankar–Ganesh Vijayan, Shoba, Shankar, Roopa, Suruli Rajan
Mayyakkam Unknown Cecilia Productions Peter-Ruban Srikanth, Padmapriya
Meendum Kokila G. N. Rangarajan Charuchithra Films Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Deepa
Meendum Sandhippom M. A. Kaja Kadayanallur Cine Arts Shankar–Ganesh Vijay Babu, Srikamu
Mohana Punnagai C. V. Sridhar Sarathy Motion Pictures M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, Jayabharathi, Geetha, Padmapriya, Anuradha, Nagesh
Mouna Geethangal K. Bhagyaraj Bagavathy Creations Gangai Amaran K. Bhagyaraj, Saritha, 'Master' Suresh
Mouna Yuddham N. Sambandham K. R. K. Creations K. V. Mahadevan
Shankar–Ganesh 		Raveendran, Roopa, Shankar
Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru M. A. Thirumugam Vadivelan Films M. S. Viswanathan Sudhakar, Mohan Sharma, Illavarasan, Radhika
Nallathu Nadanthe Theerum K. Narayanan K. N. Films Ilaiyaraaja Suman, Surekha
Nandu Mahendran Rangaraj Creation Ilaiyaraaja Ashwini, Sundar, Vanitha
Needhi Pizhaithathu S. A. Chandrasekhar Sharada Arts Shankar–Ganesh Vijayakanth, Jaishankar, Aruna, Silk Smitha
Nellikani Kalaignanam Bhairavi Creation Shankar–Ganesh Sivakumar, Sivachandran, Sumithra, Swapna
Nenjil Oru Mull 'Mathi Oli' Shanmugham Santosh Art Films G. K. Venkatesh Pratap K. Pothen, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Sivachandran,
Nenjile Thunivirunthal S. A. Chandrasekhar Veeralakshmi Combines Shankar–Ganesh Vijayakanth, Swapna, Vijayashanti, Goundamani, Manorama
Neruppile Pootha Malar Kausik Elizabeth Productions K. V. Mahadevan Sivakumar, Poornima
Netrikkan S. P. Muthuraman Kavithalayaa Productions Ilaiyaraaja Rajinikanth, Lakshmi, Saritha, Menaka, Vijayashanti
Noolarauntha Pattam R. S. Jothe Shree Nathi Movies Stalin Varadharajan Vijayakanth, Chakravarthy, Poornimadevi, Suvitha
Oru Iravu Oru Paravai P. C. Reddy Eswari Chithra Productions Ilaiyaraaja Sarath Babu, Latha, Vijaykumar, Ravinder, Sankar
Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile J. Ramu Sri Amman Art Productions Gangai Amaran Sudhakar, Rajesh, Saritha
Paakku Vethalai R. S. Vairavan Samsu Creations Malaysia Vasudevan Rajesh, Sumithra
Panimalar Hemachandran Jeppiar Pictures Shankar–Ganesh Raveendran, Usha Rajendar, Madhavi
Palaivana Solai Robert–Rajasekar R. V. Creations Shankar–Ganesh Suhasini, Chandrasekhar, Rajeev
Panneer Pushpangal Bharathi-Vasu Hemachitra Arts Ilaiyaraaja Pratap K. Pothen, Suresh, Shanthi Krishna, Archana
Pattam Padhavi Thirumugan Thirumurugan Creations M. S. Viswanathan K. A. Thangavelu, Manorama, Delhi Ganesh, Sumithra, Y. G. Mahendra, Usha Rajendar, Rani Padmini
Pen Manam Pesugirathu A. Jagannathan Kanniammal Pictures Shankar–Ganesh Sudhakar, Sumalatha
Pennin Vazhkai K. Vijayan Annapoorna Art Pictures G. K. Venkatesh Sudhakar, Rathi, Aruna, Sumathi
Ponnazhagi O. Muthu M. R. R. Creations Shankar–Ganesh A. K. Rajendran, Sumathi, Ceylon Nambiar, Jai Vijay, Jamila, Sri Kamu
Purandharadasar R. Ramamurthy Sri Ganesha Enterprises Pendyala Nageswara Rao Child Artist aged between 10 - 14
Rail Payanangalil T. Rajendar G. R. P. Arts T. Rajendar Sreenath, Rajeev, Jyothi, Sivaranjani
Raja Paarvai Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Haasan Brothers Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Madhavi, L. V. Prasad, Y. G. Mahendra
Rajangam R. C. Sakthi R. V. Creations Shankar–Ganesh Chandrasekhar, Vijayashanti, Charuhasan, Delhi Ganesh, Manorama, P. R. Varalakshmi
Ram Lakshman R. Thyagarajan Devar Films Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Sripriya, Raveendran
Rani Bharathan Supriya Creations M. S. Viswanathan Pratap K. Pothen, Nithya
Ranuva Veeran S. P. Muthuraman Sathya Movies M. S. Viswanathan Rajinikanth, Sridevi, Chiranjeevi
Rathathin Rathame Joe Devanand Brighton Films Shankar–Ganesh Jaishankar
Sanditthanam sobanan Dimple Creations Ilaiyaraaja Sobanan, Rukku
Sankarlal T. N. Balu Balu Cine Arts Ilaiyaraaja
Gangai Amaran 		Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Seema
Sathya Sundharam K. S. Prakash Rao Balakrishna Combines M. S. Viswanathan Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Vijayakumar, Sripriya, Madhavi
Sattam Oru Iruttarai S. A. Chandrasekhar Vadalooran Combines Shankar–Ganesh Vijayakanth, Poornima, Vasumathi
Savaal R. Krishnamoorthy Sujatha Cine Arts M. S. Viswanathan Kamal Haasan, Jaishankar, Sripriya, Vijayakumar, Manorama, Y. G. Mahendra
Sivappu Aatril Oru Neela Malar Damodara Raghavan K.S.K. Creations Williams Lakshmi Sri, Reena
Sivappu Malli Rama Narayanan AVM Productions Shankar–Ganesh Vijayakanth, Chandrasekhar, Shanthi Krishna, Aruna
Sollathe Yarum Kettaal N. S. Raj Bharath Surya Art Films Shankar–Ganesh Pratap K. Pothen, Sumalatha
Sooravali Nemai Ghosh Chitra Bharathi Vijaya Bhaskar Vijay, Lavanya
Sorgathin Thirappu Vizha A. Jagannathan Kanchi Combines Shankar–Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jayachitra
Sumai Rama Narayanan Sri Thenandal Films Gangai Amaran Vijayan, Chandrasekhar, Usha Rajendar, Vijayashanti
Thanneer Thanneer K. Balachander Kalakendra Movies M. S. Viswanathan Saritha, V. K. Veeraswami, Prasanna Srinivasan, Radha Ravi
Tharayil Vazhum Meengal Babu Maharaja K. K. Combines Chandrabose Sudhakar, Ambika
Thee R. Krishnamoorthy Suresh Arts M. S. Viswanathan Rajinikanth, Suman, Shobha, Sowcar Janaki
Thillu Mullu K. Balachander Kalakendra Movies M. S. Viswanathan Rajinikanth, Madhavi, Thengai Srinivasan, Sowcar Janaki
Thiruppangal Joseph Anandan Maharani Productions M. S. Viswanathan Jai Ganesh, Sumithra, Fatafat Jayalaxmi, Radhika
Tik Tik Tik Bharathiraja Shiv Shakti Films Ilaiyaraaja Kamal Haasan, Madhavi, Swapna, Radha, Thengai Srinivasan
Udhayamaagirathu Ranjith Jai Murugan Art Creations A. A. Raj Sankar, Sivaranjani, Swarna
Vaa Intha Pakkam Moulee Ponmalar International Shyam Pratap K. Pothen, Deepa
Vaadagai Veedu Durai Murali Karthikeyan Pictures Shankar–Ganesh Vijayan, Suman, Shoba, Sathyakala, Suruli Rajan
Vasanthakalam M. A. Kaja Abirami Enterprises Shankar–Ganesh Sumithra, Suruli Rajan
Velichathukku Vaanga Vijayasarathi Abhirami Creations Gangai Amaran Rajesh, Urmila, Rathi Devi
Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru K. Bhagyaraj S. T. Combines Ilaiyaraaja K. Bhagyaraj, Sathyakala

References

  1. ^ Government raised entertainment tax to 40% (from 33%) in 1958[usurped]
  2. ^ CTD reports ₹32 crore ET collection in 1981-82