Sivakartikeyan

Sivakarthikeyan gained attention after winning the stand-up comedy show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? In 2006 and began hosting various shows on Star Vijay. His Tamil film breakthrough came with the 2012 comedy drama Marina. Later, he went on to star in commercially and critically successful films such as Ethir Neechal (2013), Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013), Namma Veettu Pillai (2019) and Amaran (2024), the latter becoming one of the top‑grossing Tamil films of that year. He launched his own production company, Sivakarthikeyan Productions, and produced various films including Kanaa (2018). He received the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2020.

• Name — Sivakarthikeyan • Born — 17 February 1985 • Birthplace — Piranmalai, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Actor • playback singer • lyricist • film producer • television presenter • Years Active — 2006present • Children — 3 • Honours — Kalaimamani (2020)

Sivakarthikeyan was born on 17 February 1985 in Piranmalai near Singampunari in Sivagangai district in a Tamil family. His father G. Doss was a jail superintendent. He has an elder sister, who is a doctor. He completed schooling at Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Tiruchirappalli and earned a Bachelor’s degree from JJ College of Engineering. He married Aarthi on 27 August 2010. The couple have three children, one daughter and two sons. His cousin is Arun Prabu, for which he collaborated with for Vaazhl (2021).

Sivakarthikeyan took part in various cultural events and performed mimicry and standup comedy during his college years. He took a three month-break in between studies, to take part in the auditions of Kalakka Povathu Yaaru?, a comedy reality TV show airing on Star Vijay, and won the second season of the competition in 2006. The makers of Aegan (2008) noticed his performance and offered him a supporting role in the film, but his portions did not make the final cut. He appeared in short films such as Mugaputhagam. Director Pandiraj approached Sivakarthikeyan to play the lead role in his film Marina (2012), and he signed the project. He prepared for the role by visiting Marina Beach extensively to study the surroundings, while revealing that he hoped that his natural talent of humor would come through onscreen. Featuring alongside Oviya as a young couple in the film, Sivakarthikeyan's performance was well-received, with a critic noting "the romance adds colour to a monochrome film", while the reviewer also noted that the "role of Senthilnathan requires Siva to be just himself, it is just a cake walk in terms of performance for this actor." Aishwarya Rajinikanth signed up Sivakarthikeyan to play a supporting role as Dhanush's friend in 3, after being impressed with his work onstage as a host. Though the film opened to mixed reviews, critics appreciatied Sivakarthikeyan's work as providing comic relief in a serious film. He was next seen in Ezhil's romantic comedy Manam Kothi Paravai that released later that year. It opened to mixed reviews with a critic noting that the film "might not provide Sivakarthikeyan the platform he is aspiring for – lead roles in movies. But it does showcase his potential as an actor."

In 2013, Sivakarthikeyan appeared in three films. In his first release of the year, Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga, a dual hero coming-of-age comedy film, Sivakarthikeyan partnered once again with Pandiraj and acted alongside Vimal. The film opened to positive reviews from critics, and became a success at the box office. His next film was Dhanush's debut production venture Ethir Neechal, written and directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar, a former assistant of director Vetrimaaran. His third release of the year was director Ponram's comedy Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, which saw Sivakarthikeyan portray a carefree rural youth and he was paired with newcomer Sri Divya, and Soori. He won positive reviews for his performance from critics, with Sify noting "Sivakarthikeyan is terrific as Bosepandi because he makes it look so believable on screen with his body language, eyes and dialogue delivery". Another reviewer called him a delight to watch and claimed that he carried the script. The film completed 100 days during its theatrical run and was Sivakarthikeyan's biggest commercial box office success at that time. His performances in 2013 led him to win the year's Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year, an onstage moment which Sivakarthikeyan described as "memorable". • Illustration — Sivakarthikeyan with Nivin Pauly and Vikram at Iru Mugan film audio launch event. Sivakarthikeyan started the year 2014 with a comedy film Maan Karate produced by A. R. Murugadoss. In 2015, he paired up once again with Durai Senthilkumar for a police action film, Kaaki Sattai. The film released on 27 February 2015. It was a story about a sincere constable who takes risks to stop black market organ donation and having the aim to become an Inspector. He again joined hands with Ponram in the film Rajini Murugan, starring another newcomer Keerthy Suresh. The film's producer, N. Linguswamy, ultimately failed to provide Sivakarthikeyan with his salary due to losses incurred by the film's delayed release. His film Remo, directed by debutant Bakkiyaraj Kannan and produced by R. D. Raja, featured Sivakarthikeyan playing a lovestruck youth disguising himself as a female nurse to befriend his love interest. Sivakarthikeyan's next venture was director Mohan Raja's action-thriller, Velaikkaran, pairing with Nayanthara and featuring Fahadh Faasil as the main antagonist. The film, which revolves around an employee fighting against food adulteration in society, was released in 2017 to positive reviews from critics. Sivakathikeyan then featured in the 2018 film Seemaraja, collaborating with director Ponram for the third time. The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Simran, Lal and Soori, released to mixed reviews. Later that year, he acted in the film, Kanaa, the directorial debut of Arunraja Kamaraj and the debut film of Sivakarthikeyan's production company Sivakarthikeyan Productions. The film features Sivakarthikeyan as a cricket coach, acting alongside Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj. The film was released to highly positive reviews. Sivakarthikeyan's first 2019 film was Mr. Local, starring opposite Nayanthara for the second time, which received poor reviews. His scenes from Kanaa were reused in the Telugu remake of the film titled Kousalya Krishnamurthy. In 2019, Sivakarthikeyan appeared in the family drama film Namma Veettu Pillai, and in a superhero film Hero.

Sivakarthikeyan's only 2021 film was Doctor, which received highly positive reviews from critics and audiences. It became the highest-grossing film of his career, with a global collection of 100 crore rupees. His next release was Don, which released in 2022. Like Doctor, it received favorable reviews by both the critics and audience. In 2022, he began filming for Prince under the direction of K. V. Anudeep. At the same time, he also began shooting for Maaveeran, which was directed by Madonne Ashwin. Prince released in 2022 to negative reviews, but Maaveeran released in 2023 and was a commercial success. Soon after, on the occasion of Pongal, his long-delayed film Ayalaan was released in 2024 to generally positive reviews, especially with families. Clashing with his former co-star's film Captain Miller, the film grossed over ₹96 crores (US$12 million), emerging as a box office success, and becoming among the highest-grossing Indian films of 2024. A month later, Sivakarthikeyan's film with Raaj Kamal Films International, directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy, was announced, previously under the tentative title SK21. On 16 February 2024, the title was revealed to be Amaran, as confirmed by a teaser trailer. The teaser garnered more than 2 million views within 6 hours. Amaran became a sleeper hit at the box office, emerged as the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024, garnering widespread critical acclaim for its engaging screenplay, based on the real life incidents revolving around veteran Indian army officer Mukund Varadarajan. The film was his first major fully-fledged action entertainer. His next release after Amaran was Madharaasi (2025), written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss, marking their second collaboration after Murugadoss produced Maan Karate (2014). The film, which had music composed by Anirudh Ravichander in his ninth collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan, saw him portray Raghu Ram, a patient with Fregoli delusion recruited to infiltrate an arms syndicate. Despite the film's mixed box office performance, Sivakarthikeyan was praised for his intense transformation and performance, particularly in action-heavy sequences. The following year, he starred in Sudha Kongara's political period drama Parasakthi (2026), his 25th film as a lead actor, set against the 1965 Anti-Hindi agitations. While the film received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially, critics commended Sivakarthikeyan's restrained and assured performance, with many calling it one of his finest works since Amaran. As of June 2026, Sivakarthikeyan is filming Seyon, a rural action drama produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, with music composed by Santhosh Narayanan.

In 2023, Tamil composer D. Imman publicly announced that he would no longer collaborate with actor Sivakarthikeyan, mentioning a personal betrayal that deeply impacted his life. He chose not to share further details, emphasizing his children’s well-being and the importance of privacy.

• All films are in Tamil unless otherwise noted. List of Sivakarthikeyan film acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2011 — Mugaputhagam — Jeeva Murali — Short film • 2012 — Marina — Senthilnathan • 3 — Kumaran — | • Manam Kothi Paravai — Kannan Ramaiah • 2013 — Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga — Pattai Murugan / Ranga Murugan • Ethir Neechal — Kunjithapatham "Harish" • Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam — Bose Pandi • 2014 — Maan Karate — Thomas Peter / "Maan Karate" Peter • 2015 — Kaaki Sattai — Madhimaran Ratnavel • Vajrakaya — Hanuman devotee — Kannada film; special appearance in the title song • 2016 — Rajinimurugan — Rajinimurugan and Bose Pandi — Dual role • Remo — Siva Karthikeyan "SK" / Regina Motwani "Remo" • 2017 — Velaikkaran — Arivazhagan "Arivu" • 2018 — Seemaraja — Seemaraja and Kadambavel Raja — Dual role • Kanaa — Nelson Dilipkumar • 2019 — Mr. Local — Manohar • Kousalya Krishnamurthy — Nelson Dilipkumar — Telugu film • Namma Veettu Pillai — Arumpon • Hero — Sakthivel / Mask • 2021 — Doctor — Dr Varun • 2022 — Don — Chakaravarthi • Prince — Anbarasan • 2023 — Maaveeran — Sathya • 2024 — Ayalaan — Tamizh • The Greatest of All Time — Himself — Cameo appearance • Amaran — Major Mukund Varadarajan • | 2025 — Madharaasi — Raghu Ram • 2026 — Parasakthi — Chezhiyan — 25th film • Seyon — Filming

List of Sivakarthikeyan film producer credits • Year — Title — Notes • 2018 — Kanaa • 2019 — Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja • 2021 — Vaazhl • Doctor • 2022 — Don • 2024 — Kurangu Pedal • Kottukkaali • 2025 — House Mates — Presenter • 2026 — Thaai Kizhavi — Presenter

List of Sivakarthikeyan film dubbing credits • Year — Title — Actor — Notes • 2009 — Siva Manasula Sakthi — Voice Over — He dubbed a short voice segment imitating Rajinikanth in the song "Oru Adangapidari" • 2012 — Sridhar — Siddharth — Tamil dubbed version

List of Sivakarthikeyan television credits • Year — Series — Role — Channel — Notes • 2006 — Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? Season 2 — Contestant — Star Vijay — Winner • 2008 — Kalakkal Champions • Jodi Number One Season 3 — Runner-up • Kana Kaanum Kaalangal — Himself — Special appearance • Kodambakkam Skool — Billa • 2009 — Boys vs Girls Season 1 — Contestant • Kana Kaanum Kaalangal — Himself — Special appearance • Adhu Idhu Edhu — Host • Super Singer Junior • Boys vs Girls Season 2 — Host / Contestant • 2010 — Jodi Number One Season 5 — Host • Airtel Super Singer Season 3 • Jodi Number One Junior • 2011 — 5th Annual Vijay Awards • Kings of Comedy Season 1 • 2012 — 6th Annual Vijay Awards • 2024 — Bigg Boss Season 8 — Himself — Day 19 - Special appearance for Amaran Film promotions

List of Sivakarthikeyan film playback singing credits • Year — Film — Song — Composer — Notes • 2013 — Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam — "Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam" — D. Imman • 2014 — Maan Karate — "Royapuram Peter" — Anirudh Ravichander • 2015 — Kaaki Sattai — "I'm So Cool" • Mapla Singam — "Edhukku Machchan" — N. R. Raghunanthan — Movie Version Only • 2016 — Rajini Murugan — "Rajini Murugan" — D. Imman • 2018 — Kanaa — "Vaayadi Petha Pulla" — Dhibu Ninan Thomas • 2019 — Mr. Local — "Kalakkalu Mr. Localu" — Hiphop Tamizha • Thumbaa — "Humpty Dumpty" — Santhosh Dhayanidhi • Sixer — "Engavena Kochikinu Po" — Ghibran • 2021 — Lift — "Inna Myluu" — Britto Michael • 2023 — Maaveeran — "Vannarapettayila" — Bharath Sankar • 2025 — Oh God Beautiful — "Venum Macha Peace" — JC Joe • 2026 — Parasakthi — "Tharakku Tharakku" — G. V. Prakash Kumar • Thaai Kizhavi — "Thaai Kizhavi Vaaraa" — Nivas K. Prasanna

List of Sivakarthikeyan film credits as a lyricist • Year — Film — Song — Composer — Notes • 2018 — Kolamaavu Kokila — "Kalyana Vayasu" — Anirudh Ravichander • 2019 — Gurkha — "Hey Poya" — Raj Aryan • Namma Veettu Pillai — "Gaandha Kannazhagi" — D. Imman • Adithya Varma — "Idhu Enna Maayamo" — Radhan • 2021 — Doctor — "Chellamma" — Anirudh Ravichander • "So Baby" • Naai Sekar — "Edakku Modakku" — Anirudh Ravichander • 2022 — Etharkkum Thunindhavan — "Summa Surrunu" — D. Imman • Beast — "Arabic Kuthu" — Anirudh Ravichander • Don — "Private Party" • 2024 — Ayalaan — "Maanja Nee" — A. R. Rahman • 2026 — Indie Song — "Velum Mayilum" — Nivas K. Prasanna