2002–2009: Debut and breakthrough Looking to step into an acting career after beginning as a model, Srikanth was coached acting skills by then-assistant directors such as
Vetrimaaran and
Mysskin in the early 2000s. Srikanth was selected to play the lead role in
Kathir's
Kadhal Virus (2002) and spent a year preparing for the film, before being replaced by fellow newcomer
Richard. He was then considered to make his acting debut through
Jeeva's
12B, but the role went to another newcomer
Shaam. After the film's success, he became popularly known as
Roja Kootam Srikanth for a while. Srikanth then featured in another successful venture
April Madhathil (2002) alongside
Sneha followed by
Manasellam (2003). He won the
Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role in
Parthiban Kanavu (2003) opposite Sneha, directed by
Karu Pazhaniappan. Srikanth's straight Telugu film was
Rasool Ellore's directorial debut
Okariki Okaru under the stage name of Sriram to avoid confusion with established star
Meka Srikanth. The film received positive reviews upon release with one critic noting that "He did a sensible portrayal of the role". His first release of 2004 was
Varnajalam, followed by
Bose, in which he was paired with Sneha for the third time after
April Maadhathil and
Parthiban Kanavu.
Kana Kandaen (2005) directed by
K. V. Anand, with the Malayalam actor
Prithviraj in his first Tamil role. Srikanth and Prithviraj gave a good performance also. The film was followed by
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005) and
Bambara Kannaley (2005). In 2006, he acted in the film
Mercury Pookkal, and
Uyir.
Behindwoods wrote: "Sri has come up with an excellent performance of a man lost in this juggernaut of emotions." TSV Hari at Rediff.com responded negatively to
Kizhakku Kadarkarai Salai, noting a thin script and "meaningless songs". This was the third film and last collaboration between the director
S. S. Stanley and Srikanth after
April Maadhathil and
Mercury Pookkal. His next film was
Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, a Telugu film directed by Tamil director
Selvaraghavan. Srikanth play the second lead role after Telugu actor
Venkatesh. This was followed by
Vallamai Tharayo (2008),
Poo (2008) and
Indira Vizha (2009).
2010–2017: Setbacks and success and
Vijay on the set for
Nanban in 2012 In 2010, Srikanth released
Rasikkum Seemane,
Police Police and
Drohi. Srikanth co-starring with the new Tamil actor
Vishnu Vishal in this film.
Mandhira Punnagai was last released as guest appearance. In 2011, he began in Malayalam film
Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action, a Telugu film,
Dhada and
Sadhurangam. The film was completed in 2006 but the film remained unreleased for five years. The project was released on 2011. These three movies were box office failures. In 2012, he was first seen in
S. Shankar's comedy-drama
Nanban (a remake of the
Hindi-language film
3 Idiots), which featured him as part of an
all-star cast including
Vijay,
Jiiva,
Ileana D'Cruz and
Sathyaraj. The movie is released to positive reviews. It was dubbed and released in Telugu as
Snehitudu. He also started in Telugu film
Nippu (2011), a Malayalam film
Hero (2012) and comedy film
Paagan (2012). Later, he acted in
Buddy (2013) and
Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (2014) as guest appearance directed by
R. Parthiepan. In 2015, he played in the supernatural drama film
Om Shanthi Om. The following year, he acted in the horror film
Sowkarpettai (2016) and comedy
Nambiyaar (2016). He appeared in the Telugu action thriller
Lie (2017).
2019–present In 2019, his next film was
Rocky: The Revenge, a Tamil action crime thriller centered on dogs. The film was a box office failure. He also appeared in the Telugu film
Raagala 24 Gantallo (2019), where he played the cop. Srikanth plays serial killer in the action thriller
Mirugaa (2021), followed by three Telugu films
Y (2021),
Asalem Jarigindi (2021) and
10th Class Diaries (2022). Then he plays the role of a cop who investigates the case in the crime
Maha. However, the film was a failure to critics. Later, he was cast in multi-stars in
Coffee with Kadhal (2022),
Bagheera (2023),
Kannai Nambathey (2023) and
Ravanasura (2023). After that, he returns as the main hero in
Echo (2023),
Amala (2023) and
Pindam (2023). Srikanth, who plays the lead role in the film
Operation Laila (2024), portrays two characters.{{Cite news |title=ஆபரேஷன் லைலா == Awards ==