Karthik is a veteran Indian actor who made his debut way back in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), which won him a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Debut. He then appeared in Neram Vandachu (1982), Oru Kai Pappom (1983), Ninaivugal (1984) and Nalla Thambi (1985). Karthik again won a State Film Award Special Prize for Best Actor for Agni Natchathiram in 1988. He then ventured into singing, starting with the film Suya Mariyathai (1991), Amaran (1992) and Chinna Jameen (1993). Later, he appeared in slew of films such as Marumagan (1995), Sishya (1997), Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) and Kuberan (2000). His succeeding blockbusters included, Lovely (2001), Indru (2003), Kusthi (2006) and Kalakurra Chandru (2007). In Mani Ratnams Raavanan (2010), he played a supporting role as a forest guard, winning positive reviews, and also starred in Puli Vesham (2011) and Om 3D (2013). His upcoming film is Anegan, which slated to release in February 2015. He is an Indian actor associated with the 2018 Tamil drama Paadam directed by Rajashekhar, starring opposite Vijith and Mona. He is associated with the 2018 Tamil comedy-drama-romance Mr. Chandramouli directed by Thiru.