Murali Karthikeyan Muthuraman, better known by his stage name Karthik, is an Indian actor, playback singer and politician who works in Tamil cinema. He is the son of veteran actor R. Muthuraman. In the 1980s and 90s, Karthik was one of the biggest stars in the industry. He was first introduced by Bharathiraja in the Tamil film Alaigal Oivathillai (1981) and became a lead actor in Tamil films by his own. He has also appeared in some Telugu films where he was initially credited as Murali. Karthik is popularly known as Navarasa Nayagan for his "ability to emote all forms of actions and emotions". He has acted in more than 125 films. He has been the recipient of four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Nandi Award and four Filmfare Awards South.
Perazhagan is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Sasi Shanker and produced by AVM Productions, starring Suriya and Jyothika, each in dual roles. The supporting cast includes Vivek, Manorama and Manobala. The film, which is a remake of the 2002 Malayalam film Kunjikoonan, released on 7 May 2004. For his performance, Suriya won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil and Jyothika won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.
Kadhal Sadugudu is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Durai and produced by S. S. Chakravarthy. The film stars Vikram, Priyanka Trivedi, Prakash Raj, and Vivek. The music was composed by Deva. The film's title is based off a song from Alai Payuthey (2000).
Manadhai Thirudivittai is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by newcomer R. D. Narayanamurthy. The film stars Prabhu Deva, Kausalya, and newcomer Gayatri Jayaraman, while Vadivelu, Vivek, Ranjith and Sriman play supporting roles. The film, which has music scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, released on 14 November 2001 and became a commercial success.
Eazhaiyin Sirippil is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Subhash and written by P. Kalaimani. The film stars Prabhu Deva, Roja, Kausalya, and Suvalakshmi, while Indu, Vivek, Nassar, and Ranjith play supporting roles. The music was composed by Deva with cinematography by Ilavarasu and editing by Laxmi Raju. The film was released on 4 February 2000.
James Pandu is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language comedy thriller film directed by Selva. The film stars Parthiban, Prabhu Deva, Kausalya and Renu Desai. It was released on 4 May 2000.
Kannan Varuvaan is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Sundar C. The film stars Karthik, Manthra and Divya Unni, while Goundamani, Senthil, Manorama, Ranjith and Radha Ravi play supporting roles. The music was composed by Sirpy with editing done by P. Sai Suresh and cinematography by U. K. Senthil Kumar. The film released on 25 May 2000. The film was average success at box office.
Kunguma Pottu Gounder is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Suraj, credited as G. Saisuresh. The film stars Sathyaraj and Rambha, with Kausalya, Karan, Mouli and Goundamani in supporting roles. It was released on 8 June 2001. The film was remade in Kannada as Mutthu (2002).
Middle Class Madhavan is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by T. P. Gajendran. The film stars Prabhu and Abhirami, while Vadivelu, Vivek, Manivannan and others in supporting roles. The film explores the travails of newlyweds who are forced to live in a joint family. The film was remade in Telugu as Mee Intikoste Yem Istaru Ma Intikoste Yem Testaru. The music was composed by Dhina, and the film released on 18 May 2001.
Azhagana Naatkal is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Sundar C. The film stars Karthik and Rambha and became the third collaboration of the pair with Sundar.C, after the successes of Ullathai Allitha (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999). The film also featured Mumtaj, Goundamani and Senthil in pivotal roles and featured music composed by Deva. The film was released on 7 December 2001 and is a remake of the Malayalam film Minnaram (1994) and is also loosely based on the Tamil film Penne Nee Vaazhga.
Harichandra is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Cheyyar Ravi. The film stars Karthik and Meena, while Priya Raman, Chinni Jayanth, Vivek, Delhi Ganesh, and Sathyapriya play supporting roles. It was released on 15 May 1998. The film was remade in Telugu as Harischandra.
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Sundar C., starring Karthik and Rambha with Goundamani, Vivek, Vinu Chakravarthy, Anju among others in supporting roles. The film, scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja and filmed by U. K. Senthil Kumar, was released on 24 September 1999. It was a major success. The film was remade in Telugu as Maa Pelliki Randi (2001).
Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Selva. The film stars Prashanth, Kausalya, Anand, and Riva Bubber alongside an ensemble supporting cast including Vivek, Vijayakumar, Sathyapriya, Rajan P. Dev, and Santhana Bharathi. It is a remake of the Telugu film Snehithulu (1998). The music was composed by Deva with cinematography by K. S. Selvaraj and editing by Venkateswara Rao. The film was released on 17 December 1999.
Pooveli is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Selva. An unofficial remake of A Walk in the Clouds (1995), the film stars Karthik, Abbas, Kausalya and Heera Rajagopal. It was released on 5 December 1998. The film was remade in Telugu as Alludugaaru Vachcharu (1999) with Kausalya, Abbas and Heera reprising their roles.
Kuberan is a 2000 Tamil language comedy drama film directed by Rama Narayanan and produced by N. Radha. It stars Karthik and Kausalya, while Mantra, Manivannan, Anju, and Thyagu play supporting roles. The music was composed by S. A. Rajkumar.
Sandhitha Velai is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ravichandran, his second film after Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998). The film stars Karthik in two roles. Roja and Kausalya play the female leads, while Vijayakumar, Sujatha, Moulee, Chinni Jayanth, Vivek, Manivannan, and Nassar play supporting roles alongside an ensemble cast. The film was released on 14 April 2000 during Tamil New Year.
Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by R. Balu in his debut and produced by Sivasakthi Movie Makers. The film stars Murali alongside Kausalya, in her Tamil debut role, while Gemini Ganesan, Manivannan, Charle, Vivek, and Karan play supporting roles. This film completed 200 days at the box office. It was remade in Kannada as Kushalave Kshemave.
Ramakrishna is a 2004 Indian Kannada language romantic comedy film directed by Om Sai Prakash and produced by K. Bala Mutthaiah. The film stars V. Ravichandran, Jaggesh, Laila and Kaveri in the leading roles.
Muthuramalingam is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Rajadurai. The film stars Gautham Karthik and Priya Anand, while Napoleon plays a pivotal supporting role. Soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, song lyrics written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film had a theatrical release worldwide on 24 February 2017. This film received highly negative reviews from critics and was unsuccessful at the box office.
Dharala Prabhu is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Krishna Marimuthu in his directorial debut. A remake of the 2012 Hindi film Vicky Donor, the film stars Harish Kalyan, Tanya Hope and Vivek. The film's concept is set against the backdrop of sperm donation and infertility, with Prabhu approached by Dr. Kannadasan (Vivek), the owner of a fertility clinic, to become a sperm donor for which he eventually agrees.
