Karthik Raj
{{Short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Karthik Raj
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Karthikraj Muthukumar
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|01|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| alma_mater = Gill Adarsh Matriculation Higher Secondary School
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|Producer}}
| years_active = 2011- present
| website = {{instagram|iamkarthikraj}}
| alias =
}}
Karthikraj, known professionally as Karthik Raj, is an Indian Tamil actor who primarily works in television.
He rose to fame in the work-related romance drama, Office (2013-2015) and in the romantic family drama, Sembaruthi (2017-2020). Success of his television series has established him as one of the most accoladed favourite actor in the Tamil television industry.
Early life
Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Karthik Raj is the eldest of the two sons to his parents. His father belonged to a wealthy family in Pallathur village near Karaikudi, but had migrated to Chennai at a young age.{{Cite web |date=26 Oct 2024 |title=ZEE Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2024 26 Oct 2024 • Episode 3 : Team Sandhya Raagams Rock the Stage |url=https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/zee-tamil-kudumba-viruthugal-2024/0-6-4z5639689/team-sandhya-raagams-rock-the-stage/0-1-6z5643125 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122080404/https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/zee-tamil-kudumba-viruthugal-2024/0-6-4z5639689/team-sandhya-raagams-rock-the-stage/0-1-6z5643125 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |access-date=22 January 2025 |website=Zee 5 |type=Video}} His father had a 30-year career in the film industry, starting as a production manager under A. L. Srinivasan and later working as an assistant to MGR, ultimately rising to the role of an Executive producer. He was one of the reasons for Karthik's entry into the entertainment industry.
Although Karthik excelled in school,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLTVUs-EwVQ&ab_channel=CinemaVikatan |title=அசிங்கப்பட்டு செருப்படிப்பட்டுதான் கத்துக்கணும் - Semburathi Karthik Interview |date=2020-10-26 |last=Cinema Vikatan |access-date=2025-01-22 |via=YouTube}} due to his lack of interest in studies, he discontinued his schooling in his 12th grade and enrolled himself in a Diploma of Visual Design.{{Cite web |date=23 January 2025 |title=26 Oct 2019 • Episode 7 : ZEE Tamizh Kudumbam Viruthugal 2019 - Part 3 - October 26, 2019 |url=https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/zee-tamizh-kudumbam-viruthugal-2019/0-6-2096/zee-tamizh-kudumbam-viruthugal-2019-part-3-october-26-2019/0-1-282745 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123104015/https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/zee-tamizh-kudumbam-viruthugal-2019/0-6-2096/zee-tamizh-kudumbam-viruthugal-2019-part-3-october-26-2019/0-1-282745 |archive-date=23 January 2025 |access-date=23 January 2025 |website=Zee 5}} However, due to the change in his family's financial circumstances, he discontinued his tertiary studies and started working in the merchandising department within a garment production house and later as an Assistant Producer in their production office.{{Cite web |title=Karthigai Deepam Natchathira Navarathri |url=https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/karthigai-deepa-natchathira-navarathiri/0-6-4z5636530 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2025 |website=Zee 5 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122110132/https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/karthigai-deepa-natchathira-navarathiri/0-6-4z5636530 }} Whilst looking for a better job, he was recommended by his old neighbour, script writer, S. Ramana Girivasan, to work as an artist coordinator in the show Athu Ithu Ethu on Vijay Television.{{Cite web |date=12 November 2022 |title=Zee Tamil Samrajyam {{!}} Ep - 2 {{!}} Nov 2, 2022 {{!}} Best Scene 22 {{!}} Zee Tamil |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUKhbfeJO2U&ab_channel=ZeeTamil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122084606/https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fsignin%3Faction_handle_signin%3Dtrue%26app%3Ddesktop%26hl%3Den%26next%3D%252Fsignin_passive%26feature%3Dpassive&hl=en&ifkv=AVdkyDlPl50uN1kIHKEeYRzThW-xR1sQrx_WrI-Z8e8u5PpXCP4J-hD0RtbcmOrogAgqXOq9362uyQ&passive=true&service=youtube&uilel=3&flowName=WebLiteSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&dsh=S-114710596%3A1737535566357610 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |access-date=22 January 2025 |website=YouTube}}
Career
Karthik's acting debut came about by chance in his third year of working behind the scenes at Vijay Television; he was offered the role of Karthikeyan by script writer Ramana Girivasan in the Vijay TV series Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Kalooriyin Kadhai (K5). The success of the series saw him landing the role of Karthikeyan in the 2013 series, Office on Vijay Television, where he starred opposite Sruthi Raj.
In 2014, he participated in his first reality show competition, Jodi Number One Season 7 with Nancy Jennifer, but was eliminated midway.{{Citation |title=Jodi No.1 (TV series) |date=2024-10-25 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_No.1_(TV_series)#:~:text=finalist%20and%20Finalist-,Season%208,-%5Bedit%5D |access-date=2025-01-22 |language=en}}
Apart from his on-screen roles, Karthik has also rendered his voice for Vetri, his co-actor in Kana Kanum Kalangal Kallooriyin Kathai, in the short film Yaanum Neeyum released in 2015 for Naalaiya Iyakkunar Season 5.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=fZVECyk6EhzNjYUE&v=u9x2w9NXgFw&feature=youtu.be |title=Yaanum Neeyum: Naalaya Iyakunar Season 5 |date=2015-07-06 |last=Udhaya kumar Jaganathan |access-date=2025-01-23 |via=YouTube}}
Taking to the silver screen, he has acted as a lead actor in the movies 465 {{cite news |last1=Suganth |first1=M. |title=A horror thriller with very little dialogue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-horror-thriller-with-very-little-dialogue/articleshow/56137869.cms |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=24 December 2016 |title=The countdown to 465 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/The-countdown-to-465/article16937561.ece |work=The Hindu}} and Naalu Peruku Nalladhun Edhuvum Thappilla.{{Cite web |last=Subhakeerthana |first=S. |date=2017-03-30 |title=Mani Ratnam's protege turns director |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Mar/29/mani-ratnams-protege-turns-director-1587459.html |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} The release of these films did not garner much attention and had underperformed at the box office.
In 2017, Karthik essayed the lead role of Adhitya in Zee Tamil's daily soap Sembaruthi, alongside newcomer Shabana Shahjahan.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/sembaruthi-actor-karthik-raj-thanks-fans-see-post/articleshow/67643485.cms|title=Sembaruthi actor Karthik Raj thanks fans; see post|date=22 January 2019|work= The Times of India}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/sembaruthi-serial-actor-karthik-raj-clears-the-air-about-his-social-media-profiles/articleshow/64146811.cms|title=Sembaruthi serial actor Karthik Raj clears the air about his social media profiles|date=13 May 2018|work= The Times of India}} The series became a runaway success, captivating audiences across Tamil Nadu and propelling Karthik to new heights of fame.{{Cite web |title=Zee Tamil celebrates the success of Sembaruthi |url=https://zeenews.india.com/television/zee-tamil-celebrates-the-success-of-sembaruthi-2226875.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Zee News |language=en}}
While filming Sembaruthi, Karthik simultaneously prepared for his miniseries, Mugilan, starring alongside Ramya Pandian, where he would portray the role of a gangster named Mugilan. This preparation, which included gaining weight and growing a longer beard - a change in appearance that drew criticism from the audience who were accustomed to his characterisation of 'Adhitya' - involved a demanding 34-day shoot conducted concurrently with his commitments to Sembaruthi. Mugilan was released as an OTT on the ZEE5 streaming platform on 30 October 2020 to mixed reviews.{{cite web |date=30 October 2020 |title=Mugilan Series Review: A dumb gangster in a dull drama |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2020/oct/30/mugilan-series-review-a-dumb-gangster-in-a-dull-drama-21058.html |website=Cinema Express}} In December 2020, however, Karthik Raj was replaced in Sembaruthi "due to unforeseen reasons," as quoted in the channel's official statement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/611351-karthik-raj-will-be-replaced-in-sembaruthi.html|title=கார்த்திக் நீக்கம்: ஜீ தமிழ் அறிவிப்பால் 'செம்பருத்தி' ரசிகர்கள் அதிர்ச்சி|date=13 December 2020|website=Hindu Tamil Thisai}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/sembaruthi-karthik-raj-to-be-replaced-in-the-role-of-adithya/articleshow/79718294.cms|title=Sembaruthi: Karthik Raj to be replaced in the role of Adithya|date=14 December 2020|work=The Times of India}}
In July 2021, Karthik established his own production company, K Studios and began works on his self-produced, partially crowdfunded film.{{Cite news |date=13 July 2021 |title="They are Challenging Me!" - Sembaruthi Fame Karthik Raj Opens Up About His Serials |url=https://astroulagam.com.my/entertainment/they-are-challenging-me-sembaruthi-fame-karthik-raj-opens-about-his-serials-196873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923111257/https://astroulagam.com.my/entertainment/they-are-challenging-me-sembaruthi-fame-karthik-raj-opens-about-his-serials-196873 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=Astroulagam}} The pre-production phase commenced in August 2021, with principal photography beginning in November of that year. Titled Black 'n' White in October 2022, the film featured Karthik alongside newcomer Arthika and Shravanya Srinivasan. It was released as a direct-to-television film through Zee Tamil in May 2023.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-10 |title=Karthick Raj and Arthika starrer ‘Black ‘n’ White’ set for its direct TV premiere on May 14 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/karthick-raj-and-arthika-starrer-black-n-white-set-for-its-direct-tv-premiere-on-may-14/articleshow/100126328.cms |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Following a two-year hiatus, Karthik resumed his television career in 2022, portraying Karthikeyan in the Zee Tamil serial, Karthikai Deepam, reuniting with his Black 'n' White co-star, Arthika.{{Cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=மீண்டும் சீரியலுக்குள் நுழைந்திருக்கும் கார்த்திக்! |url=https://kamadenu.hindutamil.in/cinema/actor-karthik-entered-the-serial-again |website=காமதேனு}} The first season of this series surpassed over 600 episodes,{{Cite web |date=2024-06-09 |title=Karthik Raj and Arthika starrer 'Karthigai Deepam' completes 500 episodes |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/tv/karthik-raj-and-arthika-starrer-karthigai-deepam-completes-500-episodes/ar-BB1nToJw?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=MSN}} with the second season premiering in late 2024, featuring newcomer Vaishnavi Sadish as his on-screen pair.{{Cite web |last=Perumal |first=Ganesh |date=2024-11-07 |title=பட்டி டிங்கரிங் பார்க்கப்பட்ட கதை; ஹீரோயின் உள்பட கார்த்திகை தீபம் சீரியலில் இவ்வளவு மாற்றமா? |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/karthigai-deepam-serial-heroine-and-story-changed-suddenly-gan-smkljy#image4 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Asianet News Tamil |language=ta}}{{Cite web |last=manimegalai.a |date=2024-11-09 |title='கார்த்திகை தீபம் 2' சீரியலில் இருந்து திட்டம் போட்டு நீக்கிவிட்டனர்! ஹீரோயின் அர்த்திகா பகீர் குற்றச்சாட்டு! |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/arthika-accuses-planned-to-remove-in-karthigai-deepam-2-serial-mma-smo16y#image1 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Asianet News Tamil |language=ta}}
Personal life
At the age of 25, Karthik married his girlfriend, Yashi, a Muslim woman, in an interfaith registered marriage.{{Cite web |date=16 February 2014 |title=Jodi {{!}} ஜோடி 02/15/14 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vJIWyvlgyU&si=Ian_XQCCYiR5IDmM&t=4493 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728084633/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vJIWyvlgyU |archive-date=28 July 2015 |access-date=24 January 2025 |website=youtu.be}} However, they separated a few years later and their divorce proceedings were finalised between 2019 and 2020.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| rowspan="2" |2017
|465 |Jai |Credited as Karthikeyan |
| Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla
|Anil | |
| 2023
|Black 'n' White |Rishi |Also producer. Direct-to-television release on Zee Tamil |
=Television Series=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Channel !Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Kana Kanum Kalangal Kallooriyin Kathai | Karthik | rowspan="2" | Star Vijay
|Credited as Karthik |
| 2013–2015 | Office Season 1 & 2 | Karthikeyan a.k.a."Karthik"
|Credited as Karthik | |
| 2017–2020 | Sembaruthi | Aadhi Kadavur "Adhitya" Adhi | Zee Tamil
| |
| 2020
| Mugilan | Mugilan | ZEE5 |OTT Miniseries | |||
| 2022–Present | Karthigai Deepam | Karthikeyan Arunachalam | Zee Tamil
| |
=Television Reality Shows=
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" | |
| Year
! Title ! Channel !Notes | |
|---|---|
| 2012
|Athu Ithu Ethu (Season 1) |Episode 149 | |
| 2013
|60 Nodi! Are You Ready? |Grand Finale Episode | |
| 2013
|Kedi Boys Killadi Girls |Episode 13; Money Round | |
| 2013
|Vijay Stars |Diwali Special | |
| 2013–2014 | Jodi Number One (Season 7)
|Eliminated in Episode 22 |
| 2014
|Vijay Stars |Pongal Special | |
| 2014
|Connexion (Season 1) |Episode 12 | |
| 2014
|Vijay Television Awards - Oru Munnottam |Episode 3 & 4 | |
| 2014
|Star Vijay Nite |In London | |
| 2016
|Sirippu Da (Season 2) |Episode 29 (Ep. 79 overall) | |
| 2017
|Junior Senior (Season 1) |Episode 7 | |
| 2022
|Zee5 Darbar |Episode 11 | |
| 2023
|Zee5 Inbox |Episode 12 | |
| 2023
|Zee5 Rasigan |Black 'n' White Special | |
| 2023
|Episode 15 | |
| 2023
|Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors (Season 3) |Episode 42; Black and White Round |
Awards
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| Year
! Award Show ! Award ! Serial ! Role ! Result ! Awarder !Notes |
|---|
| 2014
|Vijayum Neengalum |Made For Each Other 2014 |Karthik & Raji | |Kadhal Special; With Sruthi Raj |
| rowspan="1" |2014
| rowspan="1" |1st Vijay Television Awards |Favourite Onscreen Pair |Office |Karthik & Raji |{{Won}} |STAR Vijay |With Sruthi Raj |
| 2015
| rowspan="1" |2nd Vijay Television Awards |Favourite Onscreen Pair |Office |Karthik & Raji |{{Won}} |STAR Vijay |With Sruthi Raj |
| rowspan="3" |2018
| rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2018 |Favourite Hero |Adhitya |{{Won}} | rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil | |
| Best Actor Male
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Nom}} | |
| Favourite On-Screen Pair
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya & Parvathi |{{Won}} |With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2019
|Sembaruthi Oru Sathanaipayanam |Certificate of Appreciation |Sembaruthi |Adhitya | |Zee Tamil |For the success of the series |
| 2019
|Galatta Nakshatra Award |Best Actor |Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Won}} |Galatta | |
| rowspan="3" |2019
| rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal 2019 |Favourite Hero |Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Won}} | rowspan="2" |Zee Tamil | |
| Favourite Pair On-Screen
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya & Parvathi |{{Won}} |With Shabana Shahjahan |
| Best Actor Male
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Nom}} | rowspan="5" |Zee Tamil | |
| rowspan="4" |2020
| rowspan="4" |Zee Tamil Kutumbha Virudhugal 2020 |Favourite Hero |Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Won}} | |
| Best Actor Male
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya |{{Nom}} | |
| Favourite Pair On-Screen
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya & Parvathi |{{Won}} |With Shabana Shahjahan |
| Best Pair On-Screen
|Sembaruthi |Adhitya & Parvathi |{{Nom}} |With Shabana Shahjahan |
| 2021
|Galatta Tamil Awards |Dream Lover 2021 | |Himself |{{Won}} |Galatta Tamil |Won by over 4 million votes |
| 2022
|Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2022 |Makkalin Nayagan | |Himself | |Special Jury Award |
| 2023
|Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2023 |Best Amma Pasam |Karthikeyan & Abhirami |{{Won}} |Zee Tamil |With Meera Krishna |
| rowspan="4" |2023
| rowspan="4" |Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2023 |Best Actor Male |Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Nom}} | rowspan="4" |Zee Tamil |
| Favourite Hero
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Won}} |
| Favourite On-Screen Pair
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan & Deepa |{{Won}} |With Arthika |
| Best On-Screen Pair
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan & Deepa |{{Nom}} |With Arthika |
| rowspan="3" |2024
| rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil Golden Moments Awards 2024 |Best Amma Pasam |Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan & Abhirami |{{Won}} | rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil |With Meera Krishna |
| Best Action
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Nom}} | |
| Best Mass Buildup
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Won}} | |
| 2024
|Favourite Actor |Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Won}} |Vikatan |Awarded July 2024 |
| rowspan="3" |2024
| rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil Kudumba Viruthugal 2024 |Best Actor |Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Nom}} | rowspan="3" |Zee Tamil | |
| Favourite Actor Male
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan |{{Won}} | |
| Favourite Pair
|Karthigai Deepam |Karthikeyan & Deepa |{{Nom}} |With Arthika |