# Sivakarthikeyan (சிவகார்த்திகேயன்)
**Sivakarthikeyan** (சிவகார்த்திகேயன்) is an Indian actor, producer, playback singer, and lyricist who works primarily in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema), having moved from television hosting and stand-up comedy to become a commercial star.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) • [2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan) He is also known by the initials SK, and his full name is given as Sivakarthikeyan Doss.[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4792434/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1985, in Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India (one database lists Chennai)[4](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/sivakarthikeyan/1042969/filmography) • [1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) |
| Film debut | Lead role in *Marina* (2012), directed by Pandiraj[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) |
| Breakthrough | *Ethir Neechal* and *Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam*, both 2013[2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan) |
| Biggest hit | *Amaran* (2024), a biopic of Major Mukund Varadarajan, grossed over 3 billion (300 crore) and completed a 100-day theatrical run[5](https://thamizhpadam.com/sivakarthikeyan-a-journey-of-passion-and-perseverance/) |
| Major award | Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male), Tamil, for *Amaran* at the 70th Filmfare Awards South[6](https://www.filmfare.com/awards/70th-filmfare-awards-south/tamil/winners) |
| Production banner | Sivakarthikeyan Productions (SK Productions), backing films such as *Kanaa*, *Vaazhl*, *Kottukkaali*, and *Kurangu Pedal*[2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan) • [7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan/filmography.html) |
| 25th film | *Parasakthi*, directed by Sudha Kongara, released 10 January 2026[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2026/Jan/21/sivakarthikeyan-choose-your-producers-wisely) |
## Early life and television
Sivakarthikeyan was born in 1985 to G. Das and Raji Das in Sivagangai district, [Tamil Nadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-nadu); he has a sister, Gouri Manohari.[9](https://tamil.samayam.com/entertainment/sivakarthikeyan-bio) He completed his schooling at Campion Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in [Tiruchirappalli](https://www.edgepedia.org/tiruchirappalli) and then studied computer science engineering at JJ College of Engineering and Technology in Tiruchirappalli.[9](https://tamil.samayam.com/entertainment/sivakarthikeyan-bio)
His career began on stage and television rather than in film. During college he acted in short films with friends, then entered the small screen as a stand-up comedian using mimicry, and became known as a contestant on the Vijay TV competition show *Kalakka Povathu Yaaru*.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) He went on to host popular Vijay TV programs including *Super Singer* and *Jodi Number One*, and anchored the show *Adu Idhu Edhu*; he also played the lead in director Atlee's short film *Mugaputhagam*.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) By the time he entered cinema he already had a following of his own, unusual for a newcomer.[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/)
## Film career
**Debut and early comedies.** Director Pandiraj cast him as the lead in *[Marina](https://www.edgepedia.org/marina-2012-film)* (2012), his first film as hero.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) The same year he appeared in Dhanush's *3* in a comic role and played the lead in *Manam Kothi Paravai*.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) In a later interview he described this as an experimental phase, working on several films at once to see which connected with audiences.[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sivakarthikeyan-namma-veettu-pillai-hero-hit-films-signing-scripts-journey-6047052/lite/)
**The 2013 breakthrough.** Two 2013 releases, *Ethir Neechal* and *Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam*, were major commercial successes and created a new market for him in Tamil cinema; their songs were also hits and established the expectation that his films would carry popular music.[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/) These films, together with *[Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga](https://www.edgepedia.org/kedi-billa-killadi-ranga)*, established him as a leading figure in Tamil comedy and family entertainers.[2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan)
**Broadening the range.** He followed with *[Maan Karate](https://www.edgepedia.org/maan-karate)*, *[Kaaki Sattai](https://www.edgepedia.org/kaaki-sattai-2015-film)*, and *Rajini Murugan*, films he later credited with teaching him about his own strengths; *Rajini Murugan* in particular built him a family and children audience.[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sivakarthikeyan-namma-veettu-pillai-hero-hit-films-signing-scripts-journey-6047052/lite/) • [10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/) In *Remo* (2016) he appeared in a female role, a get-up change he said he attempted because he felt he looked the same in every film.[1](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html) • [11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sivakarthikeyan-namma-veettu-pillai-hero-hit-films-signing-scripts-journey-6047052/lite/) He then took on more socially conscious material, playing a socially aware young man in *Velaikkaran* (2017).[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/)
**The Doctor turning point.** When theaters were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, several streaming platforms offered high prices for *Doctor* (2021), but he chose a theatrical release, saying the film belonged to the audiences and theater owners who had raised him.[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/) The film collected over 1 billion (100 crore) and became a milestone in his career.[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/) *Don* (2022), produced by his own banner, also crossed 1 billion (100 crore).[10](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/) Commentators mark the period around *[Doctor](https://www.edgepedia.org/doctor-2021-film)* as the point at which he moved from comic roles toward more varied, serious material, followed by *Maaveeran* (2023) and *Ayalaan* (2024).[2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan)
**Amaran and after.** *Amaran* (2024), directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and produced by [Kamal Haasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kamal-haasan)'s Raaj Kamal Films International, is a biopic of [Indian Army](https://www.edgepedia.org/indian-army) officer Major Mukund Varadarajan, with Sivakarthikeyan in the title role.[5](https://thamizhpadam.com/sivakarthikeyan-a-journey-of-passion-and-perseverance/) • [12](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2025/epaper/november/chandigarh-english-edition-2025-11-24.pdf) The film grossed over 3 billion (300 crore), won public acclaim, and celebrated a 100-day run.[5](https://thamizhpadam.com/sivakarthikeyan-a-journey-of-passion-and-perseverance/) At the 70th [Filmfare Awards South](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-awards-south) it won Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Sivakarthikeyan, among other categories.[6](https://www.filmfare.com/awards/70th-filmfare-awards-south/tamil/winners) He followed it with the A. R. Murugadoss action film *Madharaasi* (2025), released 5 September 2025.[7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan/filmography.html)
His 25th feature film, *[Parasakthi](https://www.edgepedia.org/parasakthi-2026-film)*, directed by Sudha Kongara, opened Tamil cinema's 2026 release calendar on 10 January 2026; the period drama is set around the anti-Hindi imposition movement of the 1960s, received around 25 cuts from the censor board, and was postponed by a day to avoid clashing with Vijay's *Jana Nayagan*.[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2026/Jan/21/sivakarthikeyan-choose-your-producers-wisely) • [13](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/sivakarthikeyan/filmography/) Upcoming projects listed by trade databases include *SK 17* with director [Vignesh Shivan](https://www.edgepedia.org/vignesh-shivan) (April 2026) and *Ayalaan 2* with [R. Ravikumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/r-ravikumar).[7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan/filmography.html)
## Production work
Beyond acting, Sivakarthikeyan produces films under his banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions, supporting emerging talents in the industry.[2](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan) His producing credits include *Kanaa* (2018), *Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja* (2019), *Vaazhl* (2021), *Kurangu Pedal* (2024), *Kottukkaali* (2024), *House Mates* (2025), and *Thaai Kizhavi* (2026).[7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan/filmography.html) He has described producing as liberating: he backs films he wants to make but cannot act in, or stories few people know, funding them from a portion of his acting earnings and keeping the risk limited.[14](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Sep/07/sivakarthikeyan-i-cant-do-a-full-fledged-comedy-now) *Kottukkaali*, directed by P. S. Vinothraj, was critically acclaimed and won its director the [Filmfare Award for Best Director](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-award-for-best-director) (Tamil) at the same ceremony where *Amaran* swept the popular categories.[6](https://www.filmfare.com/awards/70th-filmfare-awards-south/tamil/winners)
## Recognition and public standing
Sivakarthikeyan was named in Forbes India's 30 Under 30 list in 2022.[9](https://tamil.samayam.com/entertainment/sivakarthikeyan-bio) His awards include the Filmfare Best Actor trophy for *Amaran*, a SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tamil) for the same film, a SIIMA Critics' Choice Best Actor award for *Maaveeran* (2024), and a Tamil Nadu State Film Special Jury Award for Best Actor for *Marina*.[15](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4792434/awards/) In interviews he has said he competes only with himself, chooses relatable characters, and treats box-office collections as the only measure of a hit film.[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sivakarthikeyan-namma-veettu-pillai-hero-hit-films-signing-scripts-journey-6047052/lite/) He has also spoken about facing targeted negativity on social media after reaching a certain level of fame, and about countering it by immersing himself in creative work.[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2026/Jan/21/sivakarthikeyan-choose-your-producers-wisely)
## References
1. [சிவகார்த்திகேயன்: திரைப்படங்கள், வயது, பயோடேட்டா, மூவிஸ் லிஸ்ட், Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan.html)
2. [Sivakarthikeyan, Tamil Cinema Biography, Discover Tamil](https://discovertamil.com/resources/cinema-stars/sivakarthikeyan)
3. [Sivakarthikeyan, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4792434/)
4. [Sivakarthikeyan, Movies, Biography, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/sivakarthikeyan/1042969/filmography)
5. [சிவகார்த்திகேயன் எனும் சகாப்தம், Thamizh Padam](https://thamizhpadam.com/sivakarthikeyan-a-journey-of-passion-and-perseverance/)
6. [Winners of the 70th Filmfare Awards South, Tamil, Filmfare](https://www.filmfare.com/awards/70th-filmfare-awards-south/tamil/winners)
7. [சிவகார்த்திகேயன் திரைப்பட பட்டியல், Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/sivakarthikeyan/filmography.html)
8. [Sivakarthikeyan: 'Choose your producers wisely', Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2026/Jan/21/sivakarthikeyan-choose-your-producers-wisely)
9. [சிவகார்த்திகேயன் சொந்த ஊர், குடும்பம், படங்கள், Samayam Tamil](https://tamil.samayam.com/entertainment/sivakarthikeyan-bio)
10. [11-ம் ஆண்டில் சிவகார்த்திகேயன்: நம்மில் இருந்து உருவான ஹீரோ, Indian Express Tamil](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-actor-sivakarthikeyan-finesh-11-years-on-tamil-cinema-588348/)
11. [I only compete with myself: Sivakarthikeyan, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sivakarthikeyan-namma-veettu-pillai-hero-hit-films-signing-scripts-journey-6047052/lite/)
12. [Rajkumar Periasamy on Amaran, The Pioneer](https://www.dailypioneer.com/uploads/2025/epaper/november/chandigarh-english-edition-2025-11-24.pdf)
13. [Sivakarthikeyan News, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/sivakarthikeyan/filmography/)
14. [Sivakarthikeyan: I can't do a full-fledged comedy now, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Sep/07/sivakarthikeyan-i-cant-do-a-full-fledged-comedy-now)
15. [Sivakarthikeyan, Awards, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4792434/awards/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Tamil film actors › Surnames R to S*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license