# Karthik (actor)

Murali Karthikeyan Muthuraman (born 13 September 1960), better known by his stage name Karthik, is an Indian actor, playback singer and politician who works in Tamil cinema. He is the son of veteran actor R. Muthuraman. Known as Navarasa Nayagan, Karthik was one of the biggest stars in the industry in the 80s and 90s. He was first introduced by Bharathiraja in the Tamil film Alaigal Oivathillai (1981) and became a lead actor in Tamil films eventually. He has also appeared in some Telugu films where he was initially credited as Murali. Karthik is often appreciated for his ability to emote all forms of actions and emotions. He has acted in more than 125 films. He has been the recipient of four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Nandi Award and four Filmfare Awards South.

## Early life and background

Karthik was born as Murali Karthikeyan Muthuraman on 13 September 1960 in Ooty to veteran actor R. Muthuraman and Sulochana. He has two sons, Gautham and Ghayn, from his first marriage with Ragini, and another son, Thiran, from his second marriage with Rathi.

## Film career
### Debut and success (1981–1986)

Karthik was first introduced in cinema by Bharathiraja in the Tamil film Alaigal Oivathillai (1981). He received the Best New Face Award from the Tamil Nadu Government in 1981. He starred in the Telugu version of the film Seethakoka Chilaka that same year under the stage name Murali. He collaborated with leading film directors such as Mani Ratnam, Bharathiraja, Visu, R. Sundarrajan, Ameerjan, R. V. Udayakumar, Priyadarshan, Fazil, Vikraman, Agathiyan, Sundar C, K. S. Ravikumar, P. Vasu and K. V. Anand.
During the earlier stages of his career, Karthik worked three times with R. V. Udaya Kumar. Later, he formed a partnership with Goundamani in many comedy films. He was also well received by the Tamil audience for his performance in Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984) in a role against Rajinikanth. During the early to mid '80s he did many films of which Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate (1983), Pei Veedu (1984) and Raja Thanthiram (1984) were typical low budget masala films and failed to make a mark. His onscreen pairing with Radha was appreciated in the early '80s. He garnered acclaim for his role in the Telugu thriller Anveshana by Vamsy and his cameo in Mouna Ragam (1986) was very well received by the audience.

### Golden years (1987–1991)

This was a golden period in the career of Karthik, where he acted in numerous performance-oriented films. Vanna Kanavugal (1987) was a super hit. Karthik collaborated with several leading directors and gave several successful films. He acted in the Telugu film Abhinandana (1988) for which he won the Nandi Special Jury Award. He followed with commercial successes like Agni Natchathiram (1988), Varusham Padhinaaru (1989), Idhaya Thamarai (1990), Kizhakku Vaasal (1990) and culminated with the black comedy Gopura Vasalile (1991).

### Ups and downs (1992–1995)

This was period when Karthik took considerable risks in choosing scripts. Amaran (1992) was an action film where Karthik plays an orphan who eventually becomes a don. When it released, it performed below expectations; however, the song sung by Karthik became a huge rage: 'Vethala Potta Sokkula', one of the super hit songs that Adithyan tuned was sung by Karthik himself in his signature style very similar to his dialogue delivery. The song is a 'love at first sight' kind and its simplicity and very hummable lyrics is what endeared it to many when it was first released. Nadodi Thendral (1992) was a period film helmed by Bharathiraja. Ponnumani (1993) was a village-based melodrama, which was a super hit at the box office and fetched Karthik his fourth Filmfare award. Karthik also spent a considerable amount of time shooting for a Telugu film co-starring Vijayashanti in Maga Rayudu (1994). This period also witnessed films like Marumagan (1995), Chakravarthy (1995), Nandhavana Theru (1995) and an average success Thotta Chinungi (1995).

### Breakout and consolidation years (1996–1999)

In 1996 Karthik acted in Kizhakku Mugam. In the same year, he acted in his biggest commercial success: the full-length comedy Sundar C's Ullathai Allitha, alongside Rambha and Goundamani. Due to the success, he collaborated with the director again in another profitable venture, Mettukudi. He went on to win critical acclaim for his role in Gokulathil Seethai. He appeared in K. S. Ravikumar's Pistha (1997), which also won good reviews. Karthik carried on his good streak at the box office in 1998, while also winning accolades for his performances in Vikraman's Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) (100th film), Cheyyar Ravi's Harichandra (1998) and Selva's Pooveli (1998), and won a Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actor for the latter. In 1999, he played drama films like Chinna Raja, Nilave Mugam Kaattu, Anandha Poongatre, Suyamvaram and Rojavanam. He acted in medium-budget comedy films, notably in four further Sundar C ventures including the successful blockbuster film, Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999). His pairing with Rambha was a hit with the audience as the pair provided good hits in the late 1990s.

### Downfall begins (2000–2001)

During the early 2000s, Karthik experienced a difficult period as he began to lose his popularity at the box office and new actors began to emerge in the Tamil film industry. H. Many family films came but nothing different were noticed or not one performance was talked about. Such films include Thai Poranthachu (2000), Sandhitha Velai (2000), Kannan Varuvaan (2000), Kuberan (2000) and Seenu (2000). Films including Prabhu Nepal's Kadhale Swasam alongside Meena, Sundar C's Kadhal Solla Vandhen with Isha Koppikar and Gowri Manohar's Kashmir with Priyanka Trivedi had audio release events but failed to have a theatrical release. Likewise, other ventures including Mahesh's Manathil alongside Kausalya, Soundarrajan's Click co-starring Prabhu, and Selva's Kai Korthu Vaa progressed before being halted. Similarly, other projects in the early 2000s, such as Gurudeva with Rimjim, Muthalaam Santhippil with Kausalya again and Enrum Unnai Naesippaen were dropped soon after filming had begun. Potential home productions such as Tension and Avan Appadithaan under his banner Aalamara Films also did not materialise. In 2001, his films were Ullam Kollai Poguthae, Lovely and Azhagana Naatkal.

### Years in wilderness (2002–2007)

He starred in an action film, Devan with Vijayakanth and Arun Pandian, followed by Game. During the nadir of 2002, Karthik was signed on by producer Keyaar to make a film titled Enna Peyar Veikalaam directed by Vincent Selva. Despite travelling to Pollachi for the shoot, the actor refused to emerge from his hotel room, and following an extended period of confusion, the film was called off and the Nadigar Sangam began legal proceedings against the actor. He acted in the crime film, Indru (2003). The film was a disaster.
Towards the nadir of 2005, he signed on to appear in a negative role in Sathyaraj's Sivalingam IPS, but the film was shelved. In 2004, Karthik suggested that "his acts and habits" had landed him in trouble and was looking to make a comeback. He subsequently appeared in "comeback" films such as Kusthi (2006) and Kalakkura Chandru (2007), both of which had delayed releases and went unnoticed at the box office. Other ventures that the actor described as "comeback projects", such as Kicha's Unnidathil and Raj Kapoor's Sivalingam IPS, were shelved mid-production. Later in 2006, he revealed that he had quit taking drugs and was keen to make another attempt at returning to the film industry.

### Renewal (2010–2013)

Karthik opted to make a comeback into acting in 2010 and chose to appear in supporting rather than leading roles, much like his contemporaries Prabhu and Sathyaraj. He was first seen portraying a caring police officer in Maanja Velu, before winning positive reviews for his small role as a forest guard in Mani Ratnam's Raavanan. He subsequently went on to play roles in P. Vasu's Puli Vesham (2011) and the Telugu film Om 3D (2013), both of which failed at the box office.

### Revival and comeback (2015–present)

He acted in a negative role in K. V. Anand's Anegan, where he appears alongside Dhanush. He acted with Suriya in Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018), and his son Gautham Karthik in Mr. Chandramouli (2018). He made a guest appearance with actor Karthi in the film, Dev (2019).. He played a supporting role as veteran actor with his same name , old movie posters, songs, background montages and movie scenes in the Prashanth starrer movie Andhagan in 2024 and got good acclaims for his performance.

## Political career

Karthik entered politics ahead of the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. He joined the All India Forward Bloc and was appointed as the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu state unit of the party. He led the party during its electoral campaign on 24 September 2006. He later started his own party Ahila India Naadalum Makkal Katchi in 2009 before the Lok Sabha Elections. He contested from Virudhunagar constituency and got only 15000 votes. He again started another party named Manitha Urimaigal Kaakkum Katchi on 15 December 2018 at Tirunelveli before Lok saba elections and he expressed his support to AIADMK alliance.

### 2011 Assembly elections

Karthik's party tried an alliance with AIADMK for the 2011 Assembly elections, but AIADMK supremo denied tickets for his party. Karthik announced his party will contest alone in 25 to 40 seats after it was not allotted any seat in the AIADMK coalition. Karthik sat on a fast in Madurai demanding Madurai Airport be renamed as Pasumpon Thevar Airport. His party with sizeable Thevar votes in southern Tamil Nadu is believed to eat into the AIADMK votebank. In 2006, former AIADMK minister Nainar Nagendran lost by 2,000 votes in Tirunelveli, where Karthik's party polled more than the margin. Two weeks later, he split from ADMK and announced his party will contest independently in 19 constituencies and support DMK in 213 constituencies.

## Awards
### Filmfare Awards South

* 1988 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil – Agni Natchathiram
* 1989 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil – Varusham Padhinaaru
* 1990 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil – Kizhakku Vasal
* 1993 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil – Ponnumani

### Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

* 1981 – Best Male Debut Award – Alaigal Oivathillai
* 1988 – Special Prize for Best Actor – Agni Natchathiram
* 1990 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor – Kizhakku Vasal
* 1998 – Special Prize for Best Actor – Pooveli and Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

### Cinema Express Awards

* 1998 – Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil – Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

### Nandi Awards

* 1988 – Nandi Special Jury Award – Abhinandana

## Personal life

He married actress Ragini in 1988, his co-star in the film Solaikuyil and the couple has two sons, actor Gautham Karthik and Ghayn Karthik. He married her sister, Rathi, in 1992 and the couple has a son, Thiran Karthik.

## Filmography
### Tamil films

| Year | Title | Role | Notess |
| 1981 | Alaigal Oivathillai | Vichu | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Debut |
| 1982 | Ilanjodigal | Ramu | |
| 1982 | Neram Vandhachu | Raja | |
| 1982 | Kelviyum Naane Pathilum Naane | Nirmal, Babu | |
| 1982 | Thaai Mookaambikai | Muthu | Guest appearance |
| 1982 | Ninaivellam Nithya | Chandru | |
| 1982 | Kanne Radha | Nagarajan "Raja" | |
| 1982 | Pakkathu Veetu Roja | Kannan | |
| 1982 | Valibamey Vaa Vaa | Karthik | |
| 1982 | Adhisayappiravigal | Thangamuthu | |
| 1982 | Agaya Gangai | Murali | |
| 1983 | Maarupatta Konangal | Karthik | |
| 1983 | Oru Kai Pappom | Jayaraman | |
| 1983 | Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate | Conductor | |
| 1983 | Aayiram Nilave Vaa | Chandhar, Soori | Dual Role |
| 1983 | Apoorva Sahodarigal | Ravi | |
| 1983 | Dhooram Adhighamillai | Araamuthu | |
| 1984 | Rajathanthiram | Boopathy | |
| 1984 | Ninaivugal | Kannan | |
| 1984 | Nandri | Shankar | |
| 1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Vinod | |
| 1984 | Pei Veedu | Thyagu | |
| 1984 | Puyal Kadantha Bhoomi | Murali | |
| 1985 | Nalla Thambi | Raju | |
| 1985 | Viswanathan Velai Venum | Ashok | |
| 1985 | Mookkanan Kaiyiru | Bhaskar | |
| 1985 | Puthiya Sagaptham | Deepak | Guest appearance |
| 1985 | Aval Sumangalithan | Bhaskaran | |
| 1985 | Arthamulla Aasaigal | Selvam | |
| 1985 | Ketti Melam | Vasu | |
| 1986 | Dharma Pathini | Inspector Prem Kumar | |
| 1986 | Natpu | Vanchinathan | |
| 1986 | Mouna Ragam | Manohar | Guest appearance |
| 1986 | Oomai Vizhigal | Ramesh | Guest appearance |
| 1986 | Thodarum Uravu | | |
| 1987 | Raja Mariyadhai | Raguram | |
| 1987 | Velicham | Ashok Kumar | |
| 1987 | Nalla Pambu | Raja | |
| 1987 | Thaye Neeye Thunai | Karthik | |
| 1987 | Ore Ratham | Mahesh | |
| 1987 | Dhoorathu Pachai | Karthik | |
| 1987 | Veeran Veluthambi | Thirumalai | Guest appearance |
| 1987 | Vanna Kanavugal | Kannapan | |
| 1987 | Parisam Pottachu | Murali | |
| 1987 | Enga Veettu Ramayanan | Murali | |
| 1988 | Solla Thudikuthu Manasu | P. G. Thilainathan | |
| 1988 | Urimai Geetham | Chandru | |
| 1988 | Kan Simittum Neram | Raja (Kannan) | |
| 1988 | Agni Natchathiram | Ashok | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best Actor |
| 1988 | En Jeevan Paduthu | Surendran | |
| 1988 | Kalicharan | Raja | |
| 1989 | Varusham Padhinaaru | Kannan | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1989 | Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa | Rajesh | |
| 1989 | Solaikuyil | Maruthu | |
| 1989 | Paandi Nattu Thangam | Thangapandian | |
| 1989 | Rettai Kuzhal Thuppakki | Velu | |
| 1989 | Thiruppu Munai | Rajaram / Vanchinathan | |
| 1990 | Idhaya Thamarai | Vijay | |
| 1990 | Mr. Karthik | Karthik | |
| 1990 | Unnai Solli Kutramillai | Balu | |
| 1990 | Kalyana Rasi | Murali | |
| 1990 | Periya Veetu Pannakkaran | Sundara Pandi | |
| 1990 | Kizhakku Vasal | Ponnurangam | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor |
| 1990 | Ethir Kaatru | Ram Narendran | |
| 1990 | Engal Swamy Ayyappan | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 1991 | Vanakkam Vathiyare | Rajappa | |
| 1991 | Irumbu Pookkal | Dharma | |
| 1991 | Gopura Vasalile | Manohar | |
| 1991 | Vigneshwar | Vigneshwar | |
| 1992 | Amaran | Amaran | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | Muthurasu | |
| 1992 | Nadodi Thendral | Thangarasu | |
| 1992 | Nadodi Pattukkaran | Sundaram | |
| 1992 | Idhu Namma Bhoomi | Gopi | |
| 1992 | Suyamariyadhai | Vijay | |
| 1992 | Deiva Vaakku | Thambi Durai | |
| 1993 | Chinna Kannamma | Aravind | |
| 1993 | Ponnumani | Ponnumani | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1993 | Chinna Jameen | Raasaiyya | |
| 1993 | Kathirukka Neramillai | Raju, Somasekhar | |
| 1994 | Seeman | Seeman | |
| 1994 | Ilaignar Ani | Prisoner | Guest appearance |
| 1995 | Muthu Kaalai | Muthu Kaalai | |
| 1995 | Lucky Man | Gopi | |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Seenu | |
| 1995 | Marumagan | Thangarasu | |
| 1995 | Chakravarthy | Inspector Chakravarthy | |
| 1995 | Thotta Chinungi | Mano | |
| 1996 | Kizhakku Mugam | Venu | |
| 1996 | Ullathai Allitha | Rajasekhar | |
| 1996 | Katta Panchayathu | Rajadurai | |
| 1996 | Poovarasan | Poovarasan | |
| 1996 | Mettukudi | Raja | |
| 1996 | Gokulathil Seethai | Rishi | |
| 1997 | Sishya | Aravind | |
| 1997 | Pistha | Manikandan | |
| 1998 | Udhavikku Varalaamaa | Muthurasu (Pichumani, Hussain and James) | |
| 1998 | Sundara Pandian | Sundar, Pandi | |
| 1998 | Harichandra | Harichandra | |
| 1998 | Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen | Selvam | 100th Film Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best Actor |
| 1998 | Pooveli | Murali | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best Actor |
| 1999 | Chinna Raja | Raja / Dilip | |
| 1999 | Nilave Mugam Kaattu | Murthy (Govind) | |
| 1999 | Anandha Poongatre | Haridas | |
| 1999 | Suyamvaram | Ram Kumar | |
| 1999 | Rojavanam | Muthu | |
| 1999 | Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | Sakthivel | |
| 2000 | Thai Poranthachu | Aravind | Guest appearance |
| 2000 | Sandhitha Velai | Aadalarasu, Thirunaavukkarasu | |
| 2000 | Kannan Varuvaan | Kannan | |
| 2000 | Kuberan | Kuberan | |
| 2000 | Seenu | Seenu | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | Gautham | Guest appearance |
| 2001 | Lovely | Chandru | |
| 2001 | Azhagana Naatkal | Chandru | |
| 2002 | Devan | Chakravarthy | Guest appearance |
| 2002 | Game | Raja | |
| 2003 | Indru | Goutham | |
| 2006 | Kusthi | Singam | |
| 2007 | Kalakkura Chandru | Chandru | |
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | ACP Subash Chandra Bose | |
| 2010 | Raavanan | Ganaprakasam | |
| 2011 | Puli Vesham | ACP Easwaran Moorthy | |
| 2015 | Anegan | Ravikiran | |
| 2018 | Thaana Serndha Kootam | Kurunjivendhan | |
| 2018 | Mr. Chandramouli | Mr. Chandramouli | |
| 2019 | Dev | Ashok | Guest appearance |
| 2023 | Thee Ivan | | |
| 2024 | Andhagan | Karthik | |

### Telugu films

| Year | Title | Role | Notess |
| 1981 | Seethakoka Chiluka | Raghu | credited as Murali |
| 1984 | Veerabhadrudu | | |
| 1984 | Anubandham | Satya Murthy | |
| 1985 | Anveshana | Amar | credited as Murali |
| 1986 | Punyasthree | Bhaskar | |
| 1988 | Abhinandana | Raja | Nandi Special Jury Award |
| 1989 | Gopala Rao Gari Abbayi | Raghu | |
| 1994 | Maga Rayudu | Karthik | |
| 2013 | Om 3D | Harischandra Prasad | |

### As singer

| Year | Title | Song | Music director | Co-singer |
| 1992 | Amaran | "Vethala Potta Sokkula", "Musthafa" | Adithyan | |
| 1992 | Suyamariyadhai | "Vanmedu Megham" | Shivajiraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1993 | Chinna Jameen | "Onappu Thattu" | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1997 | Sishya | "Apollo Apollo" | Deva | Swarnalatha |
| 1997 | Pistha | "Kozhi Curry Kondu Varatta" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 1998 | Pooveli | "Kathai Sollapporaen" | Bharadwaj | Nizhalgal Ravi, Charle, Manorama |
| 1998 | Harichandra | "Harichandran Varaan" | Gopal Rao, Shaleen Sharma, R. Anandh | Gopal Rao |