Siva Karthikeyan

Sivakarthikeyan (born 17 February 1985), often called SK, is an Indian actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He is also a playback singer, lyricist and film producer. Before films, he was a familiar face on Star Vijay, where he won the stand-up comedy show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? season 2 in 2006 and later hosted shows such as Super Singer Junior, Jodi Number One and Airtel Super Singer.

He moved to cinema with Marina (2012) and went on to lead popular films such as Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, Remo, Doctor, Don and Maaveeran. His role as Major Mukund Varadarajan in Amaran (2024) brought him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil) in 2026.

His latest release is Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara, which opened on 10 January 2026 and is his 25th film. As of November 2026, he is shooting two films: Seyon, directed by Sivakumar Murugesan for Raaj Kamal Films International, and an untitled film known for now as SK27, directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan.

Quick facts

Early life and education

Sivakarthikeyan was born on 17 February 1985 in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu. His father, G. Doss, worked as a jail superintendent. He went to school at Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Tiruchirappalli and completed a bachelor's degree at J. J. College of Engineering. During his college years he performed mimicry and stand-up comedy.

Career

Television (2006 to 2012)

Sivakarthikeyan first became known on Star Vijay when he won season 2 of the stand-up comedy contest Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? in 2006. He went on to compete in Jodi Number One season 3, where he finished as runner-up, and in Boys vs Girls. From 2009 he worked as a host on the channel, presenting Adhu Idhu Edhu, Super Singer Junior, Jodi Number One, Airtel Super Singer season 3 and Kings of Comedy. He also hosted the Vijay Awards ceremonies in 2011 and 2012.

Film debut and early hits (2012 to 2014)

His breakthrough in cinema came with Pandiraj's Marina (2012), in which he played Senthilnathan opposite Oviya. The film was well received and won him a Special Prize at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. The same year he played Dhanush's friend Kumaran in Aishwarya Rajinikanth's 3, where critics enjoyed his comedy, and he led Ezhil's Manam Kothi Paravai.

In 2013 he reunited with Pandiraj for Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga alongside Vimal, which was a box office success. He then starred in Ethir Neechal, directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar and produced by Dhanush, which won him the SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil). Later that year came Ponram's Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam with Sri Divya and Soori. The comedy ran for 100 days and was his biggest hit up to that point. In 2014 he played the title role in the comedy Maan Karate, produced by A. R. Murugadoss.

Kaaki Sattai, Rajinimurugan and Remo (2015 to 2016)

He starred in Durai Senthilkumar's police action film Kaaki Sattai (2015) and made a special appearance in the title song of the Kannada film Vajrakaya. Rajinimurugan, his second film with Ponram, opened on 14 January 2016 with Keerthy Suresh as the female lead. Keerthy Suresh also starred opposite him in Bakkiyaraj Kannan's Remo, released on 7 October 2016, in which he spent part of the film disguised as a female nurse. The performance was praised, Remo was a commercial success, and it won him a second SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil).

Velaikkaran, Seemaraja and Kanaa (2017 to 2019)

Mohan Raja's Velaikkaran (2017), with Nayanthara and Fahadh Faasil, earned positive reviews and his third SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil). In 2018 he played a dual role in Ponram's Seemaraja, which drew mixed reviews. The same year he launched Sivakarthikeyan Productions with Kanaa, directed by Arunraja Kamaraj and starring Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj. He also acted in the film, which received strong reviews and won a Tamil Nadu State Film Award. In 2019 he starred in Mr. Local with Nayanthara, the family drama Namma Veettu Pillai and the superhero film Hero.

Doctor, Don and Prince (2021 to 2022)

Nelson Dilipkumar's dark action comedy Doctor, released on 9 October 2021, was produced by Sivakarthikeyan and starred him as Dr. Varun, with Priyanka Mohan and Vinay Rai. It received positive reviews, became a major commercial success, and brought him another SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil). He next starred in Don (13 May 2022), the directorial debut of Cibi Chakaravarthi, which he co-produced with Lyca Productions. The coming-of-age comedy, with S. J. Suryah and Priyanka Mohan, was a commercial success. Prince (2022), directed by K. V. Anudeep, received negative reviews.

Maaveeran and Ayalaan (2023 to 2024)

In Madonne Ashwin's Maaveeran, released on 14 July 2023, he played Sathya, a timid cartoonist who begins to hear a mysterious voice. Aditi Shankar and Mysskin also starred. The film received positive reviews, was a commercial success, and won him the SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil). It also earned him a Filmfare nomination. R. Ravikumar's science fiction film Ayalaan, with Rakul Preet Singh, opened during Pongal on 12 January 2024. That year he also made a cameo appearance in The Greatest of All Time.

Amaran (2024)

Amaran, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International with Sony Pictures Films India, was released on 31 October 2024 for Diwali. Sivakarthikeyan played Major Mukund Varadarajan, with Sai Pallavi as his wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese. The film was based on a chapter of the book India's Most Fearless by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. It received wide critical acclaim and was a major commercial success. The role won him the SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Tamil) in 2025 and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil) at the 70th Filmfare Awards South, held on 21 February 2026.

Madharaasi and Parasakthi (2025 to 2026)

A. R. Murugadoss directed him in Madharaasi, released on 5 September 2025, with Rukmini Vasanth, Vidyut Jammwal and Biju Menon. He played Raghu Ram, a man with a rare delusional disorder. Critics praised his performance and the action scenes.

His 25th film, Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Dawn Pictures, opened on 10 January 2026 during Pongal week. Set against the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s, it cast him as Chezhiyan, who leads a student group, alongside Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa and Sreeleela. G. V. Prakash Kumar composed the music, and Sivakarthikeyan sang the song Tharakku Tharakku. The film drew mixed reviews and underperformed commercially, though critics praised his performance.

Upcoming films

Filmography

Television

Songs and other work

As playback singer

As lyricist

As producer or presenter (Sivakarthikeyan Productions)

Awards

Personal life

Sivakarthikeyan married Aarthi in 2010.

FAQ

When and where was Sivakarthikeyan born?

He was born on 17 February 1985 in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu.

How did Sivakarthikeyan start his career?

He started on Star Vijay, winning Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? season 2 in 2006 and then hosting shows such as Super Singer Junior, Jodi Number One and Airtel Super Singer.

What was Sivakarthikeyan's first major film?

His breakthrough in cinema was Pandiraj's Marina (2012), which won him a Special Prize at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

What is Sivakarthikeyan's latest film?

His latest release is Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara, which opened on 10 January 2026. It is his 25th film.

What are Sivakarthikeyan's upcoming films?

As of November 2026, he is shooting Seyon, directed by Sivakumar Murugesan for Raaj Kamal Films International, and the untitled SK27, directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan.

Has Sivakarthikeyan won a Filmfare Award?

Yes. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil) for Amaran at the 70th Filmfare Awards South, held on 21 February 2026.