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

Karthik was born as Murali Karthikeyan Muthuraman on 13 September 1960 in Ooty to veteran actor R. Muthuraman and Sulochana.^[5] He has two sons, Gautham and Ghayn, from his first marriage with Ragini, and another son, Thiran, from his second marriage with Rathi.^[6]

Film career

Debut and success (1981–1986)

Karthik was first introduced in Tamil cinema by Bharathiraja in the 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.^[2] 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. Karthik during the early to mid 80s did many films, but many of the films until 1986 like 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 pair with Radha was appreciated in the early 80s.^[7] He garnered acclaim for his role in the Telugu thriller Anveshana by Vamsy.^[8] His cameo in Mouna Ragam (1986) was very well received by the audience.^[9] The film made Karthik an instant heartthrob. Sylvian Patrick from

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.^[13] 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

• 1981 – Best Male Debut Award – Alaigal Oivathillai
• 1988 – Special Prize for Best Actor – Agni Natchathiram
• 1990 –
  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

Relationships

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. Later, he also married Ragini's sister, Rathi in 1992 and the couple have a son, Thiran Karthik.^[42][43][44]

Filmography

Tamil films

Telugu films

As singer

References

External links

• Karthik at
  IMDb
• Profile of karthik at jointscene