Karthi made his acting debut with the Tamil film "Paruthiveeran" (2007). . The movie, directed by Ameer Sultan, starred Priyamani and Saravanan alongside Karthi. . His performance in the film earned him several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor

"Paruthiveeran" was a critical and commercial success, establishing Karthi as a promising actor in the Tamil film industry. . The film's rustic setting and Karthi's portrayal of the titular character left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.

Karthi, born Karthik Sivakumar on May 25, 1977, is a well-known Indian actor in Tamil cinema. He is the younger brother of actor Suriya and the son of veteran actor Sivakumar and Lakshmi Sivakumar. Karthi is married to Ranjani Chinnasamy, and they have two children. Karthi's family is deeply rooted in the Tamil film industry, with his brother Suriya and sister-in-law Jyothika also being prominent actors. His sister, Brindha Sivakumar, is less known in the industry. The Sivakumar family is known for their contributions to Tamil cinema and their strong family values.