Srikanth was employed in the American Consulate before his career in the film industry. Srikanth was given his break as the lead hero by
C. V. Sridhar with the film
Vennira Aadai in 1965. He used to act in various dramas staged by troupes between 1960 and 1965. His birth name was Venkatraman, however, he performed the character of Srikanth in
Major Chandrakanth, a drama directed in 1962, due to which he gained popularity in drama circles. Later this same name was adopted while he entered into films. Srikanth along with Vietnam Veedu Sundaram, Nagesh, Vaali and
Vennira Aadai Moorthy used to stay at the area near T. Nagar Club House near the Shiva Vishnu Temple. N. C. Chakravarthy, who was an assistant director to
C. V. Sridhar, was a regular Table Tennis player at the T. Nagar Club House and approached Srikanth to give auditions at Chitralaya studios for the new Tamil film
Vennira Aadai. The film
Vennira Aadai introduced 4 new faces to Tamil Cinema including that of Srikanth, who were
Jayalalithaa,
Vennira Aadai Nirmala and
Vennira Aadai Moorthy. He was the first male actor in Tamil films to act as lead hero opposite
Jayalalithaa. Later in 1965, Srikanth acted in
Naanal, directed by
K. Balachandar. He received his first negative role in the film
Selva Magal in 1967. The image of a romantic hero which he acquired in his debut film, was used by him in only a few films in his career. Aiming for versatility, he accepted supporting roles in various films. He was in directorial ventures of
K. Balachandar, like
Bama Vijayam, Poova Thalaiya, Ethir Neechal, Navagraham and
Nootrukku Nooru. He played the role of a mental patient in
Raja Veetu Pillai, cast opposite Pushpalata. He played the hen-pecked husband who is son of the character played by
Shivaji Ganesan in the film
Vietnam Veedu. He has acted with Sivaji Ganesan in other films like Praptham, Gnana Oli, Vasantha Maligai, Rajapart Rangadurai, Sivagamiyin Selvan, Vani Rani, Thanga Pathakkam, Anbai Thedi, Rojavin Raja, Avan Oru Sarithiram, Ilaya Thalaimurai and Raja Rishi. After success of the film
Selva Magal in 1967, directors started approaching him for even villain roles and some of his successful films in villainous roles since 1968 include
Thanga Gopuram, Gnana Oli, Gomatha Engal Kulamatha, Vairam, Vasantha Maligai, Anbu Thangai and
Vani Rani. Despite the success in films, he and
Sowcar Janaki were part of drama troupes giving live performances in the evening or on weekends. He was part of many comedy films throughout his career like
Ethir Neechal, Bama Vijayam, Yaarukku Mappilai Yaro,
Kasethan Kadavulada,
Kasi Yathirai,
Kai Naraya Kaasu,
Athaiya Mamiya and
Ilaya Thalaimurai. He played the false son of P. Bhanumathi in the film
Edupa Kai Pillai in 1975. In 1972, Srikanth played a villain in
Aval, directed by
A. C. Trilogchandar in which Sasi Kumar played as the protagonist and this altered his career by him choosing to play negative roles in the future. In
Thanga Pathakkam, Srikanth was cast as Jagan, the rebellious son of S. P. Choudhry, played by
Sivaji Ganesan. The movie was adapted from a stage-play in which Sivaji Ganesan had previously starred as S. P. Choudhry. In the original stage-play, Jagan kills his father. In
Thanga Pathakkam S. P. Choudhry instead kills his son Jagan. His role in
Thanga Pathakkam is considered among his best performances. The film boosted his popularity as a villain, after acclaimed acting alongside Sivaji Ganesan. But, at the peak of his career as the villain, Srikanth surprised critics and audience alike by returning to romantic image in the 1974 film
Raja Nagam, with the song "Devam Vedhamum" gaining immense popularity. In the 1974 Tamil film
Dikkatra Parvathi, which won the
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil in 1975, Srikanth starred in the lead role. Jaishankar and Srikanth did many films together in the seventies as the producer-directors liked their combination. Together they did films including
Ponuvandu,
Idhayam Parakiradhu,
Unnaithan Thambi,
Pinju Manam and
Palabishegam. Srikanth received the
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film
Karunai Ullam. Srikanth has performed alongside other actors including
Gemini Ganesan,
Jaishankar and
R. Muthuraman during his career. He also worked with his juniors
Kamal Haasan,
Sivakumar and
Rajinikanth after 1977, with himself as the main villain like in films
Pennai Solli Kutrram Illai, Sadhurangam, Bairavi, Sattam En Kayil, Neeya, Uyaranthvangal, etc. Srikanth has worked under the directions of A. C. Thirulogachander,
K. Balachander,
Muktha Srinivasan, C. V. Sridhar and
A. Bhimsingh. Srikanth was part of
Jayalalithaa's film career right from her first Tamil film,
Vennira Aadai in 1965 to her last Tamil film
Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal in 1980. He played her brother in the 100th film of Jayalalithaa –
Thirumangalyam. He played her step-son in
Thanga Gopuram. He also played supporting roles in films with Jayalalithaa in lead roles including
Jesus, Vairam, Anbu Thangai, Anbai Thedi and
Kanavan Manaivi.His role in Mounam Sammadham (1989) was appreciated. He acted in dramas in 1970s to 1980s with Sowcar Janaki, Muthuraman, Lakshmi and later even in 1990s with next generation. He also starred in a weekly television series called Mangai opposite K. R. Vijaya in 1998 and later he did serial Akshaya, which was broadcast on Sun TV. == Personal life ==