Debut and success (1981–1986) Karthik was first introduced in Tamil cinema by
Bharathiraja in the Tamil film
Alaigal Oivathillai (1981). Bharathiraja gave him the stage name, Karthik. 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 garnered acclaim for his role in the Telugu thriller
Anveshana by Vamsy and his cameo in
Mouna Ragam (1986) was well received by the audience.
Golden years (1987–1991) Post his rivetting performance in Mani Ratnam's, 1986 classic Mouna Ragam Karthik, acted in numerous performance-oriented films. To begin with
Vanna Kanavugal (1987) was a super hit and marked beginnings of Karthik as an amazing performance artist . He captured the soul of the audience with his subtle yet powerful acting style. He collaborated with several leading directors since 1987 and gave several successful films. He acted in the Telugu film
Abhinandana (1988) for which he won the
Nandi Special Jury Award. He pursued strong performance-oriented characters in 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 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. The film went on to win the Tamil Nadu State Film award for showcasing women in good light, crediting actors for their empathetic performance. Karthik may not have won an award for his performance, but his ability to play a drunk, ruthless playboy and with relative ease segueing in to a role that respects women. He appeared in
K. S. Ravikumar's
Pistha (1997), which also received good reviews. Karthik carried on his good streak at the box office in 1998, while also winning accolades for his performances in Cheyyar Ravi's
Harichandra (1998),
Vikraman's
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) (his 100th film), and
Selva's
Pooveli (1998), and won a
Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actor for both
Pooveli and
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen. In 1999, he appeared in 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. 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. In 2003, Karthik acted in the crime film,
Indru. The film was a disaster at the box office for him. 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. 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 as the main antagonist 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 ==