Karthi was born as Karthik Sivakumar on 25 May 1977 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India to actor Sivakumar and his wife Lakshmi. He completed his elementary and secondary school education at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai. He gained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Crescent Engineering College, Chennai. After graduation, he worked as an Engineering consultant in Chennai and considered higher studies abroad. "I was earning about ₹ 5000 per month and found the work monotonous. That was when I thought, I should do something more", he recalled in an interview. Karthi got a scholarship for his higher studies in the United States, and enrolled at Binghamton University, New York, where he earned his Master of Science in industrial engineering. While pursuing his master's degree, he also took elective courses on filmmaking.
Nepali is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by V. Z. Durai and produced by Rama Saravanan. It stars Bharath and Meera Jasmine in the lead roles, while Govind Namdeo and Prem play supporting roles and Sangeetha features in a guest appearance. The film marks Namdeo's Tamil debut. Bharath plays three different characters within one role in the movie. The film has music by Srikanth Deva, cinematography by Madhi and editing by Mathan Gunadeva. The film was shot in Ooty, Chennai and Hyderabad. It released on 10 April 2008.
Vinay Rai is an Indian actor who primarily appears in Tamil films apart from a few Telugu and Malayalam films. He is best known for his performance in the films Unnale Unnale (2007), Jayamkondaan (2008), Endrendrum Punnagai (2013) and Aranmanai (2014). He turned villain in Thupparivaalan (2017) and has played negative roles in several films including Doctor (2021), Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022), Oh My Dog (2022) Christopher (2023), Veeran (2023), Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023), Hanu-Man (2024) and Identity (2025).
Pasanga (transl. Kids) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language children's film directed by Pandiraj in his directorial debut. It stars debutant child actors Kishore DS, Sree Raam and Pandian, along with newcomer Vimal and Vega Tamotia in supporting roles. The film is produced by Sasikumar and music score is composed by James Vasanthan. They rose to fame after their 2008 hit film Subramaniyapuram. Pasanga released on 1 May 2009 to critical acclaim, winning three National Film Awards and several other awards at international film festivals.
Pandiraj is an Indian film director, producer and writer who works in Tamil cinema. His debut film, Pasanga (2009), and directed many commercially successful films. He has won several awards, including two National Film Awards and five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Vemal is an Indian actor known for his appearances in Tamil films. He gained recognition with his credited appearances and supporting role in the critically acclaimed movie Kanchivaram. He later played the lead role in Pandiraj's highly acclaimed film Pasanga in 2009.
Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai is a 2011 Tamil-language mystery comedy drama film directed by Suseenthiran, based on the short story of the same name penned by writer Bhaskar Sakthi. The film stars Appukutty and Saranya Mohan in lead and features music by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was initially reported to be jointly produced by Gautham Vasudev Menon's Photon Kathaas and Escape Artists Motion Pictures. but was then produced by the latter only, while Cloud Nine Movies would distribute film. The film released on 12 May 2011 to critical acclaim but commercially did average collections.
V. Jayaprakash is an Indian actor and producer who works in Tamil and Telugu films. He ventured into film business in the early 2000s as a producer, making several films under his banner GJ Cinema and later turned actor, with Cheran's 2007 film, Mayakannadi. Subsequently, performing a variety of supporting roles, he found more success as a character actor, with his most notable performances in Pasanga (2009), Naadodigal (2009), Naan Mahaan Alla (2010), Yuddham Sei (2011), Mankatha (2011), Moodar Koodam (2013) and Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2014).
Helen Nelson, better known professionally by her stage name Oviya, is an Indian actress who works in the Tamil and Malayalam films also appeared in few Kannada and Telugu films. She made her breakthrough as an actress in Sarkunam's rural romantic comedy Kalavani (2010), before appearing in other films including Pandiraj's Marina (2012), Moodar Koodam (2013) and Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013). Oviya has also enjoyed box office success through her roles in Sundar C's Kalakalappu (2012) and the horror comedy Yaamirukka Bayamey (2014). In 2017, Oviya appeared on the reality series Bigg Boss Tamil 1.
Engaeyum Eppothum is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy drama road film written and directed by M. Saravanan in his Tamil debut, he had earlier directed the Telugu film Ganesh (2009). Starring Jai, Sharwanand, Anjali and Ananya, it was produced by A. R. Murugadoss in association with Fox Star Studios, marking the studio's entry into Tamil cinema.
Kazhugu (transl. Eagle) is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language comedy thriller film written and directed by newcomer Sathyasiva, starring Krishna and Bindu Madhavi. The film, produced by Krishna's father K. K. Sekhar along with K. S. Madhubala, features music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The story revolves around four persons, referred to as "Kazhugu", who recover the bodies of suicide victims who jump off a cliff. The film, based on real-life incidents, has been shot in real locations, including Kodaikanal, Theni, and Munnar. It had been in making since late 2010 and eventually released on 16 March 2012, to mixed reviews and became a sleeper hit.
3 is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic psychological thriller film written and directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the former wife of the actor Dhanush, who also produced the film, thus making their debut in both the fields. He also played the lead role alongside Shruti Haasan, whilst Sivakarthikeyan and Sunder Ramu appear in prominent roles. The film follows Ram (Dhanush) and Janani, two intermediate sweethearts who eventually get married. However, Janani loves Velu mama but ,mystified when Ram commits suicide all of a sudden and she tries to find out the truth behind his death.
Paagan (transl. Mahout) is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by debutante Mohammed Aslam, who was an associate to Ameer Sultan. It stars Srikanth and Janani in the lead roles. Kovai Sarala plays an important role in this film. James Vasanthan composed the film's score.
Girishh Gopalakrishnan is an Indian music composer, music producer, singer in the Tamil film industry. He made his debut as a music director with the Tamil film, Marina directed by Pandiraj.
Elred KumarSanthanam is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer best known for his work on Ko, Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal, and Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. His films were made under his production house, RS Infotainment.
Sathish Muthukrishnan is an Indian actor and comedian working in the Tamil cinema. He made a breakthrough portraying a role alongside Sivakarthikeyan in Ethir Neechal (2013). He won Edison Award for Best Comedian for his performance in Kaththi (2014), Thangamagan (2015) and Remo (2016) and Edison Award for Best Appearance for the film Tamizh Padam 2 (2018).
Pasanga 2 : Haiku is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language children's film written, co produced and directed by Pandiraj. A thematic sequel to Pasanga (2009), the film focuses on the issue of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) amongst children and is set in the city, unlike Pasanga. The film, starring debutante child actors Nishesh and Vaishnavi in lead alongside Ramdoss, Vidya Pradeep, Karthik Kumar and Bindu Madhavi. This film is produced by Suriya, who also appears in a supporting character along with Amala Paul. The film will mark Pandiraj's last of the trilogy for children, following Pasanga and Marina.
Silambarasan is an Indian actor, director, singer and television celebrity who works in Tamil cinema. He began his career playing minor roles as a child artist in films produced by his father, T. Rajendar. His debut, as a lead actor, was in Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002), which was produced and directed by his father.
Pasanga Pandi, formerly credited as Pakoda Pandi, is an Indian actor who works in Tamil-language films.
