Karthi
Biography
Karthi, also known professionally as Karthik Sivakumar, is an Indian film actor born on May 25, 1977, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He began his career in the film industry as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam on the 2004 film Aayutha Ezhuthu. Karthi made his acting debut in the 2007 Tamil film Paruthiveeran, starring alongside Priyamani and Saravanan, and became an overnight sensation, winning several awards for his performance. He subsequently starred in numerous commercially successful films, including Paiyaa, Naan Mahaan Alla, Siruthai, Madras, Thozha, Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, Kadaikutty Singam, Kaithi, Thambi, Ponniyin Selvan: I, Sardar, and Ponniyin Selvan: II, establishing himself as a successful leading actor and earning three Filmfare Awards and an Edison award.
Career overview
Karthi, also known as Karthik Sivakumar, is an Indian film actor who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Born on May 25, 1977, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, he began his career in the film industry as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam on the 2004 film Aayutha Ezhuthu.
Karthi made his acting debut as a leading actor in the 2007 Tamil film Paruthiveeran, which starred Priyamani and Saravanan, and he became an overnight sensation, winning several awards for his performance. Following his debut success, he starred in numerous commercially successful films throughout his career, establishing himself as a leading actor in Tamil cinema.
His filmography includes Paiyaa in 2010, Naan Mahaan Alla in 2010, Siruthai in 2011, Madras in 2014, Thozha in 2016, Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru in 2017, and Kadaikutty Singam in 2018. He also starred in Kaithi and Thambi in 2019, followed by Ponniyin Selvan: I in 2022, Sardar in 2022, and Ponniyin Selvan: II in 2023. Over the course of his career, Karthi has earned recognition including three Filmfare Awards and an Edison award.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
53 titles- Vaa Vaathiyaar (2026) as Rameshwaran "Ramu"
- Sardar 2 (2026) as Agent Sardar Chandra Bose / Inspector Vijay Prakash
- HIT: The Third Case (2025) as ACP Veerappan (Special Appearance)
- 3BHK (2025) as House - Tamil (voice)
- Meiyazhagan (2024) as Meiyazhagan
- Kanguva (2024) as Rathaangasan / Commander Ryan
- Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023) as Vanthiyathevan
- Japan (2023) as Japan Muni
- Japan (2023) Playback Singer
- Mark Antony (2023) as Narrator (Voice)
- Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) as Vanthiyathevan
- Vikram (2022) as Dilli (voice)
- Sardar (2022) as Chandrabose "Sardar"/Vijay Prakash
- Sardar (2022) Playback Singer
- Viruman (2022) as Viruman
- Kanam (2022) Playback Singer
- Sulthan (2021) as Vikram Alias Sulthan
- Cooku with Comali (2019) as Self - Guest
- Kaithi (2019) as Dilli
- Thambi (2019) as Vicky (Saravanan)
- Dev (2019) as Dev Ramalingam
- Kadaikutty Singam (2018) as Gunasingam
- Kaatru Veliyidai (2017) as Varun
- Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (2017) as Theeran Thirumaran
- Magalir Mattum (2017) Playback Singer
- Bigg Boss (2017) as Himself - Promo for Kadaikutty Singam
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Self
- Oopiri (2016) as Seenu
- Kaashmora (2016) as Kaashmora / Raj Nayak
- Komban (2015) as Kombaiah Pandian
- Madras (2014) as Kaali
- Alex Pandian (2013) as Alex Pandian
- Biriyani (2013) as Sugan
- Biriyani (2013) Playback Singer
- All in All Azhagu Raja (2013) as Azhagu Raja
- Maattrraan (2012) as Vimalan / Akhilan (Voice , Telugu version)
- Saguni (2012) as Kamalakannan
- Saguni (2012) Playback Singer
- Siruthai (2011) as Ratnavel Pandian IPS / Rocket Raja
- Ko (2011) as Cameo Appearance in "Aga Aga" Song
- Paiyaa (2010) as Siva
- Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) as Muthu
- Naan Mahaan Alla (2010) as Jeeva Pragasam
- Paruthiveeran (2007) as Paruthiveeran
- Paruthiveeran (2007) Playback Singer
- Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) as Michael's Friend (Uncredited)
- Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) Assistant Director
- #Karthi 30
- Kaithi 2 as Dilli
- Vikram 2 as Dilli
- HIT: The Fourth Case as ACP Veerappan
- Marshal
- Party Playback Singer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Karthi best known for?
Karthi is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Vaa Vaathiyaar (2026), Sardar 2 (2026), HIT: The Third Case (2025), Kanguva (2024).
When and where was Karthi born?
Karthi was born on May 25, 1977 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
How many credits does Karthi have?
Karthi has accumulated over 53 film and television credits across a career spanning from 2004 to 2026.
What is Karthi's background in cinema and television?
Karthi, also known professionally as Karthik Sivakumar, is an Indian film actor born on May 25, 1977, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He began his career in the film industry as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam on the 2004 film Aayutha Ezhuthu. Karthi made his acting debut in ...
Karthi by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Cooku with Comali (2019) as Self - Guest — aged about 42
- Kaithi (2019) as Dilli — aged about 42
- Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) as Vanthiyathevan — aged about 45
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Self — aged about 39
- Sardar (2022) as Chandrabose "Sardar"/Vijay Prakash — aged about 45
- HIT: The Third Case (2025) as ACP Veerappan (Special Appearance) — aged about 48
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