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Karthik

Karthik

Actor · Born September 13, 1960 (66) · Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India

Murali Karthikeyan Muthuraman (born 13 September 1960), better known by his screen name Karthik , is a Tamil film actor and politician. He is the son of veteran actor R. Muthuraman. He was first introduced by Bharathiraja in the film Alaigal Oivathillai. He has primarily appeared in lead roles in Tamil films. Karthik is a four-time winner of Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil and is also a recipient of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and Nandi Awards.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 13, 1960 (66)
From
Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
6 on Motif · 119 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 17% in 30 days

What are Karthik's films like?

Across their 6 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Motif score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Motif score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
30%
Morality
30%
Bonds
19%
Power
19%
Survival
4%
Romantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 1 · Serious 2 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Trickster
1 of 5
Herald
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Romantic
2
Bittersweet
2
Melancholic
2
Joyful
1
Other
3

How their films linger

Feel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Karthik's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 3 of their 6 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Karthik's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted.

Filmography

119 credits, 6 with a Motif page.

  • Andhagan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    as Karthik

  • Thee Ivan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    as Muthusamy

  • Navaratri (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Dev(2019)

    as Ashok (Cameo)

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Chandramouli (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    as Chandramouli

  • Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    as Kurunjivendhan

  • Anegan(2015)

    as Ravi and Kiran

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Om 3D (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Puli Vesham (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    as P. Eswara Moorthy

  • Udhaya Neram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Raavanan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Gnanaprakasam

  • Maanja Velu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Subash Chandra Bose

  • Kalakkara Chandru (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    as Chandru

  • Kusthi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Singam

  • Indru (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Goutham

  • Game(2002)

    as Raja

  • Devan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Lawyer Chakravarthy

  • Azhagana Naatkal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Chandru

  • Lovely (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Chandru

  • Ullam Kollai Poguthey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Gautham (Cameo)

  • Seenu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Seenu

  • Kuberan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Kuberan

  • Kannan Varuvaan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Kannan / Raghunath

  • Sandhitha Velai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Nadarajan / Aadalarasu / Thirunaavukkarasu

  • Thai Porandaachu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Aravind

  • Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as 'Sakthi' Sakthivel

  • Rojavanam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Suyamvaram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Dr Ram Kumar

  • Anantha Poongattre... (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Haridas

  • Nilavey Mugam Kaattu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Murthy

  • Chinna Raja (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Pooveli (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Murali

  • Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen(1998)

    as Selvam

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Harichandra (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Harichandra

  • Sundara Pandian (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Udhavikku Varalaamaa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Pistha (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Manikandan/Pistha

  • Sishya (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Aravind

  • Gokulathil Seethai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Rishi

  • Metukudi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Poovarasan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Ullathai Allitha (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Raja

  • Katta Panchayathu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Thotta Chinungi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Mano

  • Chakravarthy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Chakravarthy

  • Nandhavana Theru (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Lucky Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Muthu Kaalai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Seeman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Chinna Jameen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Rasaiya / Chinna Jameendar

  • Ponnumani (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ponnumani

  • Kathirukka Neramillai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Raju and Somasekhar

  • Chinna Kannamma (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Unna Nenachen Paattu Padicchen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Deiva Vaakku (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Thambi Durai

  • Idhu Namma Bhoomi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Gopi

  • Nadodi Paattukkaran (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Nadodi Thendral (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Thangarasu

  • Amaran(1992)

    Playback Singer · Actor

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Vigneshwar (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Vigneshwar IPS

  • Gopura Vasalile (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Manohar

  • Irumbu Pookkal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Vanakkam Vathiyare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Rajappa

  • Edhir Katru (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Kizhakku Vasal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Ponnurangam

  • thoorpu sindhooram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Periya Veettu Panakkaran (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Sundarapandi

  • Kalyana Rasi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Murali

  • Unnai Solli Kutramillai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Balu "Informer"

  • Idhaya Thamarai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Thiruppu Munai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Rettai Kuzhal Thuppakki (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Gopala Rao Gari Abbayi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Raghu

  • Kaadhal Oyvathillai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Paandi Naattu Thangam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Thangapandian

  • Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Rajesh

  • Varusham Padhinaaru (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Abhinandana (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Kalicharan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • En Jeevan Paaduthu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as Surendran

  • Agni Natchathiram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as Ashok Vishwanath

  • Kan Simmittum Neram(1988)

    as Raja / Kannan

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Urimai Geetham (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Solla Thudikkuthu Manasu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as P. G. Thillainathan

  • Vanna Kanavugal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Dhoorathu Pacchai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Ore Ratham (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Mahesh

  • Thaye Neeye Thunai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Raja Mariyadhai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Mouna Raagam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Manohar

  • Oomai Vizhigal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ramesh

  • Natpu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Dharma Pathini (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Inspector Prem Kumar

  • Nalla Thambi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Kettimelam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Anveshana (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Amar

  • Aval Sumangalithan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Puthiya Sagaptham (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Nallavanukku Nallavan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Rajathanthiram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Ninaivugal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Veerabhadrudu (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Puyal Kadantha Bhoomi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Dhooram Adhighamillai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Araamuthu

  • Aayiram Nilavae Vaa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Apoorva Sahodarigal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Oru Kai Pappoam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Aagaaya Gangai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Murali

  • Adhisaya Piravigal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Valibamey Vaa Vaa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Pakkathu Veetu Roja (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Kanney Raadha (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Ninaivellam Nithya (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Chandru

  • Thaai Mookaambikai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Muthu

  • Kelviyum Naaney Badhilum Naaney (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Nirmal / Babu

  • Ilanjodigal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Seethakoka Chilaka (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Raghu

  • Alaigal Oyivadhilai (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    as Vichu (Viswanathan)

Career shape

Star power in the 69th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 119 titles from 1981 to 2024; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Anegan (2015)

$155K worldwide

Highest rated

Anegan (2015)

Motif 70th

Most popular right now

Kan Simmittum Neram (1988)

Film career

19812024

Peak 2010 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2010Screen debut· Raavanan

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting119 of 119: 118 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Motif score70thOther crew1 of 119: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s49 · acting1990s45 · 45 acting · 1 crew2000s13 · acting2010s10 · acting2020s2 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Karthik's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 70th percentile, the median of the 5 of 6 with a score; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

23rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Motif score across 5 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

2 of their 5 titles are Cult Classics.

  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Amaran (1992)

82nd percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998)

Motif 76th · 71% liked

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Karthik work with?

People who share at least 2 of Karthik's Motif titles; R. Sarathkumar shares the most, 2.