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Karunakaran

Karunakaran

Actor, also writer · Born September 21, 1981 (45) · Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Karunakaran is a Tamilfilm actor, who has appeared in character roles. He made his breakthrough in Soodhu Kavvum (2013) portraying the role of Arumai Pragasam, before playing roles in Jigarthanda and Yaamirukka Bayamey. He initially made a career as chemical engineer, graduating from SASTRA University, and then as an IT professional at Accenture, before director Nalan Kumarasamy (his friend) approached him to feature in a short film he was making for the reality television show, Naalaya Iyakkunar. Karunakaran had featured in such short film ventures at school and Nalan had cast him in Nenjuku Neethi, which went on to win the first place award that season. Sundar C gave him brief roles in two of his ventures, while he made his first breakthrough portraying Vijay Sethupathi's friend in Karthik Subbaraj's Pizza (2012), after which he left work and concentrated on a career in films. Nalan subsequently cast him in his feature film debut Soodhu Kavvum, for which Karunakaran won rave reviews. His appearance in the "Kasu Panam Thuttu" song also was well received and prompted several further offers for the actor. His performance in Yaamirukka Bayamey was appreciated by critics.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 21, 1981 (45)
From
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 102 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 37% in 30 days

What are Karunakaran's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits 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
28%
Bonds
22%
Morality
17%
Survival
10%
Society
9%
Power
8%
Ideas
6%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 17 · Serious 8 · Dark 5

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 17 · Intense 6

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 9

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 12 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 14 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 9
Trickster
3 of 9
Mentor
2 of 9
Shadow
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Joyful
11
Melancholic
10
Hopeful
8
Contemplative
7
Other
24

How their films linger

Fun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous7

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 Karunakaran's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Karunakaran's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

102 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Meesaya Murukku 2(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • G.D.N.(2026)

    as Perunkili

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Photographer(2026)

    as Kabilan

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Gatta Kusthi 2(2026)

    as Partha

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Mustafa Mustafa(2026)

    as Chitti

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Vaa Vaathiyaar(2026)

    as Govindharaman

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Adhiran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Oho Enthan Baby(2025)

    as Murali

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • DNA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Retro(2025)

    as Anthony

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Perusu(2025)

    as Ice Box Owner

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Leg Piece (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Thandel(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Miss You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Bobby

  • Soodhu Kavvum 2: Nadum Naatu Makkalum... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as G Arumai Pragasam

  • Meiyazhagan(2024)

    as Jagadeesh

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Double Tuckerr (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Moorthy

  • Ayalaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Sugirtharaja

  • Rajni(2023)

    as Selvam Arumugam

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Kasethan Kadavulada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Murali

  • Karungaapiyam(2023)

    as Pastor David

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Yaanai Mugathaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Michael

  • Soppana Sundari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Durai

  • Vallavanukkum Vallavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Jiivi 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Mani

  • Kaatteri(2022)

    as Gajaa

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Paper Rocket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 7 episodes · as Tiger

  • Maha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Panni Kutty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Uthrabathi

  • Payanigal Gavanikkavum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Antony

  • Manmatha Leelai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Chandran

  • Maanaadu(2021)

    as Syed Baasha

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Jango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Krishnamoorthy

  • Enemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Babu

  • Tughlaq Durbar(2021)

    as Vasu

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Malaysia to Amnesia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Prabhu

  • Teddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Karthik

  • Kutty Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as (voice)

  • Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Time Enna Boss(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Buggy

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • RK Nagar(2019)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Ninnu Veedani Needanu Nene(2019)

    as Tamil Version

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Jiivi(2019)

    as Mani

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Monster(2019)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Kalavu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Podhu Nalan Karudhi(2019)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Silukkuvarupatti Singam(2018)

    as Bhaskar

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Seethakaathi(2018)

    as Advocate

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Nota (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Lakshmi(2018)

    as Azhagu, Krishna's Cafe Worker

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Ghajinikanth(2018)

    as Karuna

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Kadikara Manithargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Shiva

  • Semma Botha Aagatha(2018)

    as Nandhu

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Girish Kalyan

  • Veera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Pachamuthu

  • Nimir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Vigadakavi

  • Vidhi Mathi Ultaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Hara Hara Mahadevaki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Kumar

  • Vivegam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Arumai Prakasam "APS"

  • Thiri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Jeeva's Friend

  • Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Ramesh

  • Parandhu Sella Vaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Kavalai Vendam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Thodari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Vairam

  • Iru Mugan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Peter

  • Jackson Durai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Veera

  • Oru Naal Koothu(2016)

    as Raghavendran

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Iraivi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Ramesh

  • Ko 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Kumaran

  • Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Dr. Saravanan

  • Kanithan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Balaji

  • Navarasa Thilagam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Alangaram

  • Gethu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Kanagu

  • Uppu Karuvadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Chandran

  • Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Gautham

  • Orange Mittai(2015)

    as Kailasam's Son

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Indru Netru Naalai(2015)

    as Pulivetti Arumugam

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Nannbenda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Thangadurai

  • Mahabalipuram(2015)

    as Kumar

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kappal(2014)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Lingaa(2014)

    as Kothandam

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Yaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Shaji

  • Aadama Jaichomada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Panneer

  • Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Paalpandi

  • Jigarthanda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Oorni

  • Yaamirukka Bayamey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Sharath

  • Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru(2013)

    Screenplay · as Special Appearance

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Soodhu Kavvum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Arumai Pragasam

  • Pizza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Raghavan

  • Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Sampath

  • Kalakalappu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Kumar

  • Criminal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Tirupathi

  • Grahanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Indru Netru Naalai 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Jeyikkira Kuthira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Kutrachaattu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Mohan Das (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Red and Follow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Untitled Prem Kumar - Fahadh Faasil Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Yellow Yellow Dirty Fellow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 102 titles, 93 of them dated from 2012 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Lingaa (2014)

$1M worldwide

Highest rated

Meiyazhagan (2024)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Meesaya Murukku 2 (2026)

Film career

20122026

Peak 2015 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 2012Screen debut· Pizza

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting102 of 102: 101 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score55thWriting1 of 102: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

2010s52 · 52 acting · 1 crew2020s41 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
1217

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 Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Karunakaran's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 56th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 34 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Time Enna Boss (2020)

91st percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Meiyazhagan (2024)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; 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 Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove 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.

Is Karunakaran's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 11 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 24 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Karunakaran work with?

People who share at least 2 of Karunakaran's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Praveen K.L. shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles