Karthik Kumar

Last updated

Karthik Kumar
Born (1977-11-21) 21 November 1977 (age 47)
Chennai, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Stand-up comedian
Years active2000–2016
2022–present
Spouses
(m. 20052017)
(m. 2021)
Comedy career
Medium Stand-up comedy
Genres Observational comedy, improvisational comedy, physical comedy, political satire
Website www.evamstanduptamasha.in

Karthik Kumar (born 21 November 1977) is an Indian stand-up comedian and actor in the Tamil film and television industries.

Contents

Early life and Education

He studied chemical engineering in Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering. [1] [2] After earning his Bachelor's degree, Karthik along with his friend Sunil Vishnu quit their respective jobs and started the event management company "Evam", which today is a theatre company of renown.

Career

Karthik made his acting debut with Alaipayuthey (2000) portraying a small role as the female lead character's prospective suitor. [3] He was first tested for the role of R. Madhavan in the film but was rejected as he was too young with no acting experience at the time. [4] He went on to portray supporting roles notably in films like Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008) and Poi Solla Porom (2008).

In November 2016, Karthik lamented getting typecast in particular roles, especially as the American mappillai, and announced his retirement from the film industry. [4] [5] However, he returned with a role in Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022). [6]

Karthik Kumar is also a stand-up comedian who has done three stand-up specials. His first special, "#PokeMe" has more than half a million views on YouTube. His second special was titled "Second Decoction" followed by "Blood Chutney" streaming on Amazon Prime. He has performed over 1000 shows across India, USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. He is managed by Evam Standup Tamasha, a stand-up movement in South India. [7]

Personal life

Karthik Kumar married Suchitra, an RJ and singer, in 2005. [1] The couple divorced in 2017. In December 2021, he married actress Amrutha Srinivasan. [8] In 2024, Suchitra alleged that the reason for her divorce was that Karthik had homosexual encounters with his co-star Dhanush during the filming of Yaaradi Nee Mohini and even with Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. [9] [10]

Filmography

Actor

YearFilmRoleLanguage
2000 Alaipayuthey Shyam Tamil
2002 Saathiya Shyam Hindi
2004 Vaanam Vasappadum KarthikTamil
2004 Yuva VishnuHindi
2005 Kanda Naal Mudhal AravindTamil
2007 Chaurahen Naveen English
2008 Yaaradi Nee Mohini CheenuTamil
Poi Solla Porom UppilinathanTamil
2009 Ninaithale Inikkum VasuTamil
Edhuvum Nadakkum NagaTamil
2010 Kola Kolaya Mundhirika KrishTamil
2011 Deiva Thirumagal KarthikTamil
Veppam VishnuTamil
2015 Pasanga 2 AkhilTamil
Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan Dr. RaghuTamil
2017 Ticket Athif HussainTamil
2018 Mannar Vagaiyara ArivazhaganTamil
2022 Rocketry: The Nambi Effect P. M. NayarTamil/Hindi
2023 Annapoorani Chef AswinTamil

Director

YearTitleNotes
2022 Super Senior Heroes Direct Television release in Sun TV

Television

YearTitleRoleLanguageChannel
2012 Dharmayutham ArjunTamilVijay TV

Voice artist

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References

  1. 1 2 "Wedding bells for 'Mirchi' Suchi!". Sify . 6 October 2005. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. "All fun and adventure". The Hindu . 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  3. "Their world's a STAGE". The Hindu . 9 September 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 "The Madhavan who wasn't". The Hindu . 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  5. "Actor Karthik Kumar's confessions are a refreshing take on the film industry". The News Minute . 1 November 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  6. Muthalaly, Shonali (6 July 2022). "Karthik Kumar's latest show, Aansplaining, is therapy disguised as stand up comedy". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  7. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Oct/24/a-socially-awkward-stand-up-comic-who-loves-being-goofy-833574.html
  8. "Karthik Kumar and Amrutha Srinivasan tie the knot!". Sify . 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  9. "Karthik Kumar had gay encounter with Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan: Singer Suchitra makes scandalous allegations". Onmanorama. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  10. "VIDEO: Singer Suchitra's ex-husband Karthik Kumar responds to 'gay' allegations with Dhanush". Pinkvilla. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.