PERSONAL INFORMATION
Real name: Karthik Sivakumar
Nickname: Karthi
Profession(s): Actor, Singer
Date of Birth: 25 May 1977 (Wednesday)
Age (as of 2024): 47 Years
Birthplace: Madras, Tamil Nadu
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Religion: Hinduism
Engagement Date: 29 April 2011
Engagement Place: Karthi’s village in Goundampalayam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Marriage Date: 3 July 2011
Marriage Place: Codissia Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore
Age: 47 Years
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EDUCATION
School(s): • Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, Chennai • St. Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai
College/University: • B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai • Binghamton University, New York, US • SUNY – The State University of New York, US
Educational Qualification(s): • Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai • Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (Elective Filmmaking) at Binghamton University, New York, US • Two Courses in Basic Filmmaking at SUNY – The State University of New York, US [1] The Times of India
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): 5’ 10” (178 cm)
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Black (dyed brown)
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Affairs/Girlfriends: Tamannaah Bhatia (actress; rumoured) [4] Pinkvilla
Wife/Spouse: Ranjani Chinnasamy (MA in English Literature)
Children: Son – Kandhan (born in October 2020) Daughter – Umayaal (born in 2013)
Parents: Father – Sivakumar (actor) Mother – Lakshmi Sivakumar
Siblings: Brother – Suriya (aka Saravanan Sivakumar, actor; elder) Sister – Brindha Sivakumar (singer; younger)
Wife: Ranjani Chinnasamy
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Film (Tamil; As an actor): Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) as Michael’s Friend Film (Telugu; As an actor): Oopiri/Thozha (2016) as Seenu Film (Tamil; As a singer): “Oororam Puliyamaram” from the film Paruthiveeran (2007) Film (Telugu; As a singer): “Maaripoye” from Oke Oka Jeevitham (2022)
Awards: • 2006 : Tamil Nadu State Film Award- Special Prize for the Tamil film Paruthiveeran • 2008 : Filmfare Award – Tamil Film for Best Actor for the film Paruthiveeran • 2015 : Filmfare Award – Special Award Critics Award for Best Actor for the Tamil film Madras • 2015 : SIIMA – Tamil for Best Actor Critics for the Tamil film Madras • 2018 : Filmfare Award – Tamil Film for Best Actor (Critics) for the film Theeran Adhigaram Ondru • 2018 : Edison Award India (Merit Award) for Best Actor for the Tamil film Theeran Adhigaram Ondru • 2020 : SIIMA – Tamil for Best Actor: Critics for the Tamil film Kaithi • 2020 : Norway Tamil Film Festival for Best Actor for the Tamil film Kaithi • 2020 : Asianet Film Award for Most Popular Tamil Actor for the film Kaithi • 2025: Best Actor – Critics’ Choice Award (Tamil) for the film ‘Meiyazhagan’ at the 13th South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA)
MONEY FACTOR
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Car Collection: • Mercedes Benz ML 350 • Audi Q7 SUV [5] The Times of India (gifted by his brother)
Income (approx.): Rs 1.5 crore (per month)
Net Worth (approx.): Rs 90 crore (as of 2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
Community: Kongu Nadu [2] The Hindu
Hobbies: Singing, Travelling, Trekking, Playing Guitar
Other Relative(s): Sister-in-Law – Jyothika (actress; married to Suriya) (image in parents’ section) Brother-in-Law – Sivakumar (Industrialist; married to Brindha) (image in parents’ section)
Actor: Rajinikanth
Film: Billa (1980), Nayakan (1987), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Thevar Magan (1992), Subramaniapuram (2008)
Cuisine(s): Mexican, Thai
Sport: Badminton
Colour(s): White, Black, Blue
Bike Collection: BMW R 1250 GS
Expensive Things: TISSOT T-SPORT PRS 516 watch worth Rs 1,13,000
Fees: Rs 8 crore per film, Rs 1 crore per brand endorsement
Instagram: Karthi Sivakumar
Facebook: Karthi
Twitter: Karthi
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Karthi, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema, hails from the bustling city of Chennai, where his early years were shaped by a vibrant cultural landscape. As a child, Karthi found inspiration in the dynamic performances of iconic martial artists Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, igniting his passion for acting. This fascination with the silver screen set the stage for his eventual journey into the film industry, but it was not without its detours. After completing his engineering degree, Karthi secured a position as a consultant, earning a modest salary of Rs 5,000 per month. However, the monotony of the job soon led him to seek out more fulfilling pursuits, prompting a significant shift in his life trajectory.
Eager to broaden his horizons, Karthi relocated to New York to pursue higher education. While studying, he also embraced his creative side by working part-time as a graphic designer, balancing the rigors of academia with artistic expression. After returning to India, he took a pivotal step in his career by joining the legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam as an assistant director. This experience not only honed his skills but also deepened his appreciation for the craft, ultimately paving the way for his foray into acting. By 2010, Karthi had become a recognized face in the industry and was named the brand ambassador for Bharti Airtel in South India, featuring prominently in their advertising campaign “Indraikku Enna Plan.”
Karthi made his acting debut in films like “Paiyaa” (2010) and quickly established himself with memorable roles in a variety of Tamil productions, including “Siruthai” (2011), “Thambi” (2019), “Ponniyin Selvan: I” (2022), “Sardar” (2022), and “Ponniyin Selvan: II” (2023). Beyond acting, he has also contributed his voice to several Tamil songs, showcasing his versatility as an artist. His commitment to social causes is equally commendable; in 2011, he became a cause ambassador to raise awareness for lysosomal storage disease and has consistently supported orphanages by donating funds on his birthday. To further engage his fans in philanthropic efforts, Karthi inaugurated the NGO Makkal Nala Mandram on his 31st birthday, distributing essential items to children and women, while also adopting a white tiger cub at Vandalur Zoo to aid in species preservation.
Karthi’s influence extends beyond acting and philanthropy; he is also a passionate advocate for responsible storytelling in cinema. In 2020, he made headlines for his principled stance, revealing that he has never portrayed smoking on screen, as he does not wish to endorse harmful behaviors. His commitment to social issues shines through his active participation in various initiatives, including his role as treasurer of the Nadigar Sangam since 2015. While he has faced scrutiny for certain remarks, such as his comments on caste, Karthi remains a beloved figure among fans and peers, known for his genuine love for animals and his candid interactions on social media. In 2023, he marked a significant milestone with his 25th film, “Japan,” where he also lent his voice to the Telugu version of the titular song. With a career marked by notable achievements and a heart dedicated to giving back, Karthi continues to inspire through both his artistry and his commitment to societal betterment.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.