# Karthik Raj

Karthikraj, known professionally as Karthik Raj, is an Indian Tamil actor who primarily works in television.
He rose to fame in the work-related romance drama, Office (2013-2015) and in the romantic family drama, Sembaruthi (2017-2020). Success of his television series has established him as one of the most accoladed favourite actor in the Tamil television industry.

## Early Life

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Karthik Raj is the eldest of the two sons to his parents. His father belonged to an extremely wealthy family in Pallathur village near Karaikudi, but had migrated to Chennai at a young age. His father had a 30-year career in the film industry, starting as a Production Manager under A.L.S.Srinivasan and later working as an Assistant to MGR, ultimately rising to the role of an Executive Producer. He was one of the reasons for Karthik's entry into the entertainment industry.
Although Karthik excelled in school, due to his lack of interest in studies, he discontinued his schooling in his 12th grade and enrolled himself in a Diploma of Visual Design. However, due to the change in his family's financial circumstances, he discontinued his tertiary studies and started working in the merchandising department within a garment production house and later as an Assistant Producer in their production office. Whilst looking for a better job, he was recommended by his old neighbour, Script Writer, S. Ramana Girivasan, to work as an Artist Coordinator in the show Athu Ithu Ethu on Vijay Television.

## Career

Karthik's acting debut came about by chance in his third year of working behind the scenes at Vijay Television; he was offered the role of 'Karthikeyan' by Script Writer Ramana Girivasan in the Vijay TV series Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Kalooriyin Kadhai (K5). The success of the series saw him landing the role of 'Karthikeyan' in the 2013 series, Office on Vijay Television, where he starred opposite Sruthi Raj.
In 2014, he participated in his first reality show competition, Jodi Number One Season 7 with Nancy Jennifer, but was eliminated midway.
Apart from his on-screen roles, Karthik has also rendered his voice for Vetri, his co-actor in K5, in the short film 'Yaanum Neeyum' released in 2015 for Naalaiya Iyakkunar Season 5.
Taking to the silver screen, he has acted as a lead actor in the movies 465 and Naalu Peruku Nalladhun Edhuvum Thappilla. The release of these films did not garner much attention and had underperformed at the box office.
In 2017, Karthik essayed the lead role of 'Adhitya' in Zee Tamil's daily soap Sembaruthi, alongside newcomer Shabana Shahjahan. The series became a runaway success, captivating audiences across Tamil Nadu and propelling Karthik to new heights of fame.
While filming Sembaruthi, Karthik simultaneously prepared for his miniseries, Mugilan, starring alongside Ramya Pandian, where he would portray the role of a gangster named Mugilan. This preparation, which included gaining weight and growing a longer beard - a change in appearance that drew criticism from the audience who were accustomed to his characterisation of 'Adhitya' - involved a demanding 34-day shoot conducted concurrently with his commitments to Sembaruthi. Mugilan was released as an OTT on the ZEE5 streaming platform on 30 October 2020 to mixed reviews. In December 2020, however, Karthik Raj was replaced in Sembaruthi "due to unforeseen reasons," as quoted in the channel's official statement.
In July 2021, Karthik established his own production company, 'K Studios' and began works on his self-produced, partially crowdfunded film. The pre-production phase commenced in August 2021, with principal photography beginning in November of that year. Titled 'Black 'n' White' in October 2022, the film featured Karthik alongside newcomer Arthika and Shravanya Srinivasan. It was released as a direct-to-television film through Zee Tamil in May 2023.
Following a two-year hiatus, Karthik resumed his television career in 2022, portraying 'Karthikeyan' in the Zee Tamil serial, Karthikai Deepam, reuniting with his 'Black 'n' White' co-star, Arthika. The first season of this series surpassed over 600 episodes, with the second season premiering in late 2024, featuring newcomer Vaishnavi Sadish as his on-screen pair.

## Personal Life

At the age of 25, Karthik married his girlfriend, Yashi, a Muslim woman, in an interfaith registered marriage. However, they separated a few years later and their divorce proceedings were finalised between 2019 and 2020.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | 465 | Jai | Credited as Karthikeyan |
| 2017 | Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla | Anil | |
| 2023 | Black 'n' White | Rishi | Also producer. Direct-to-television release on Zee Tamil |

### Television Series

| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
| 2011–2012 | Kana Kanum Kalangal Kallooriyin Kathai | Karthik | Star Vijay | Credited as Karthik |
| 2013–2015 | Office Season 1 & 2 | Karthikeyan a.k.a."Karthik" | Star Vijay | Credited as Karthik |
| 2017–2020 | Sembaruthi | Aadhi Kadavur "Adhitya" Adhi | Zee Tamil | |
| 2020 | Mugilan | Mugilan | ZEE5 | OTT Miniseries |
| 2022–Present | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan Arunachalam | Zee Tamil | |

### Television Reality Shows

| Year | Title | Channel | Notes |
| 2012 | Athu Ithu Ethu (Season 1) | Star Vijay | Episode 149 |
| 2013 | 60 Nodi! Are You Ready? | Star Vijay | Grand Finale Episode |
| 2013 | Kedi Boys Killadi Girls | Star Vijay | Episode 13; Money Round |
| 2013 | Vijay Stars | Star Vijay | Diwali Special |
| 2013–2014 | Jodi Number One (Season 7) | Star Vijay | Eliminated in Episode 22 |
| 2014 | Vijay Stars | Star Vijay | Pongal Special |
| 2014 | Connexion (Season 1) | Star Vijay | Episode 12 |
| 2014 | Vijay Television Awards - Oru Munnottam | Star Vijay | Episode 3 & 4 |
| 2014 | Star Vijay Nite | Star Vijay | In London |
| 2016 | Sirippu Da (Season 2) | Star Vijay | Episode 29 (Ep. 79 overall) |
| 2017 | Junior Senior (Season 1) | Zee Tamil | Episode 7 |
| 2022 | Zee5 Darbar | Zee 5 | Episode 11 |
| 2023 | Zee5 Inbox | Zee 5 | Episode 12 |
| 2023 | Zee5 Rasigan | Zee 5 | Black 'n' White Special |
| 2023 | Super Jodi | Zee Tamil | Episode 15 |
| 2023 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors (Season 3) | Zee Tamil | Episode 42; Black and White Round |

## Awards

| Year | Award Show | Award | Serial | Role | Result | Awarder | Notes |
| 2014 | Vijayum Neengalum | Made For Each Other 2014 | Office | Karthik & Raji | | STAR Vijay | Kadhal Special; With Sruthi Raj |
| 2014 | 1st Vijay Television Awards | Favourite Onscreen Pair | Office | Karthik & Raji | Won | STAR Vijay | With Sruthi Raj |
| 2015 | 2nd Vijay Television Awards | Favourite Onscreen Pair | Office | Karthik & Raji | Won | STAR Vijay | With Sruthi Raj |
| 2018 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2018 | Favourite Hero | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Won | Zee Tamil | |
| 2018 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2018 | Best Actor Male | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Nominated | Zee Tamil | |
| 2018 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2018 | Favourite On-Screen Pair | Sembaruthi | Adhitya & Parvathi | Won | Zee Tamil | With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2019 | Sembaruthi Oru Sathanaipayanam | Certificate of Appreciation | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | | Zee Tamil | For the success of the series |
| 2019 | Galatta Nakshatra Award | Best Actor | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Won | Galatta | |
| 2019 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2019 | Favourite Hero | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Won | Zee Tamil | |
| 2019 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2019 | Favourite Pair On-Screen | Sembaruthi | Adhitya & Parvathi | Won | Zee Tamil | With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2019 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2019 | Best Actor Male | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Nominated | Zee Tamil | |
| 2020 | Zee Tamil Kutumbha Virudhugal 2020 | Favourite Hero | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Won | Zee Tamil | |
| 2020 | Zee Tamil Kutumbha Virudhugal 2020 | Best Actor Male | Sembaruthi | Adhitya | Nominated | Zee Tamil | |
| 2020 | Zee Tamil Kutumbha Virudhugal 2020 | Favourite Pair On-Screen | Sembaruthi | Adhitya & Parvathi | Won | Zee Tamil | With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2020 | Zee Tamil Kutumbha Virudhugal 2020 | Best Pair On-Screen | Sembaruthi | Adhitya & Parvathi | Nominated | Zee Tamil | With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2021 | Galatta Tamil Awards | Dream Lover 2021 | | Himself | Won | Galatta Tamil | Won by over 4 million votes |
| 2022 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2022 | Makkalin Nayagan | | Himself | | Zee Tamil | Special Jury Award |
| 2023 | Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2023 | Best Amma Pasam | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan & Abhirami | Won | Zee Tamil | With Meera Krishna |
| 2023 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2023 | Best Actor Male | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Nominated | Zee Tamil |
| 2023 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2023 | Favourite Hero | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Won | Zee Tamil |
| 2023 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2023 | Favourite On-Screen Pair | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan & Deepa | Won | Zee Tamil | With Arthika |
| 2023 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2023 | Best On-Screen Pair | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan & Deepa | Nominated | Zee Tamil | With Arthika |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2024 | Best Amma Pasam | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan & Abhirami | Won | Zee Tamil | With Meera Krishna |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2024 | Best Action | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Nominated | Zee Tamil | |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2024 | Best Mass Buildup | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Won | Zee Tamil | |
| 2024 | Vikatan Tele Awards 2023 | Favourite Actor | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Won | Vikatan | Awarded July 2024 |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2024 | Best Actor | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Nominated | Zee Tamil | |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2024 | Favourite Actor Male | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan | Won | Zee Tamil | |
| 2024 | Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2024 | Favourite Pair | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan & Deepa | Nominated | Zee Tamil | With Arthika |