| Year | Title | Credited as | Language | Notes |
| Director | Producer | Sceenplay |
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Y | N | Y | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director |
| 1978 | Kizhake Pogum Rail | Y | N | Y | |
| Sigappu Rojakkal | Y | N | Y | Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director |
| 1979 | Solva Sawan | Y | N | Y | Hindi | Remake of 16 Vayathinile |
| Puthiya Vaarpugal | Y | Y | Y | Tamil | |
| Niram Maaratha Pookkal | Y | N | Y | Voice for Vijayan |
| 1980 | Kotha Jeevithalu | Y | N | Y | Telugu | Remake of Puthiya Vaarpugal |
| Red Rose | Y | N | Y | Hindi | Remake of Sigappu Rojakkal |
| Nizhalgal | Y | N | Y | Tamil | |
| 1981 | Alaigal Oivathillai | Y | N | Y | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director |
| Seethakoka Chiluka | Y | N | Y | Telugu | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| Tik Tik Tik | Y | N | Y | Tamil | |
| 1982 | Kaadhal Oviyam | Y | N | Y | |
| Valibamey Vaa Vaa | Y | N | Y | Dubbed in Telugu as Yavvanam Pilichindhi (1985) |
| 1983 | Man Vasanai | Y | N | Y | Dubbed in Telugu as Ee Tharam Illalu (1985) |
| Lovers | Y | N | Y | Hindi | Remake of Alaigal Oivathillai / Seethakoka Chilaka |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | Y | N | Y | Tamil | |
| 1985 | Oru Kaidhiyin Diary | Y | Y | Y | |
| Mudhal Mariyathai | Y | Y | Y | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 1986 | Saveray Wali Gaadi | Y | N | Y | Hindi | |
| Kadalora Kavithaigal | Y | N | Y | Tamil | 25th Film; also screenplay writer |
| 1987 | Vedham Pudhithu | Y | N | Y | National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues |
| Aradhana | Y | N | Y | Telugu | |
| 1988 | Jamadagni | Y | N | Y | Dubbed in Tamil as Naarkaali Kanavugal |
| Kodi Parakuthu | Y | Y | Y | Tamil | Voice for Manivannan |
| 1990 | En Uyir Thozhan | Y | N | Y | |
| 1991 | Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu | Y | N | Y | |
| 1992 | Nadodi Thendral | Y | Y | Y | |
| 1993 | Captain Magal | Y | Y | Y | |
| Kizhakku Cheemayile | Y | N | Y | |
| 1994 | Karuthamma | Y | N | Y | National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare |
| 1995 | Pasumpon | Y | N | Y | |
| 1996 | Tamizh Selvan | Y | N | Y | |
| Anthimanthaarai | Y | Y | Y | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 1999 | Taj Mahal | Y | N | Y | |
| 2001 | Kadal Pookkal | Y | N | Y | National Film Award for Best Screenplay |
| 2003 | Eera Nilam | Y | Y | Y | |
| 2004 | Kangalal Kaidhu Sei | Y | N | Y | |
| 2008 | Bommalattam | Y | N | Y | |
| 2013 | Annakodi | Y | Y | Y | |
| 2016 | Final Cut of Director | Y | N | Y | Hindi | Original version of Bommalattam (2008); previously titled Cinema |
| 2020 | Meendum Oru Mariyathai | Y | Y | Y | Tamil | |
