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Karthi is a Tamil superstar with a slight edge to him as instead of sticking to formulaic action hero tropes, the Ponniyian Selvan and Kaithi actor evokes a charismatic energy that is unique only to him. If you were wondering where to start with Karthi’s filmography, we’ve got you covered with the best Karthi movies along with a handy guide to stream them.
From Paruthiveeran to Madras: How to get started with Kaithi’s movies?
Before he became a three-time Filmfare Award winner, Karthi was born in a family of film professionals. Not only is his father veteran actor Sivakumar but his older brother is Suriya, the Tamil megastar behind hits like Singham and Jai Bheem.
Karthi made a stellar acting debut as the titular character in the 2007 social drama Paruthiveeran. Karthi and Priyamani shone in their performances as two lovers who defy caste boundaries and societal norms in a village near Madurai. Karthi earned his first Filmfare for Best Actor and never looked back from acting.
To witness a more commercial side of Karthi, you can always watch his popular titles like the action-romance Paiyaa (starring opposite Tamannah Bhatia), and Siruthai (a remake of SS Rajamouli’s Telugu actioner Vikramarkudu).
Some of his action films that have subverted the massy action formula in favour of more passionate personal arcs and social themes includeNaan Mahaan Alla and Madras. The former found Karthi playing an unemployed slacker who picks up arms to protect his father from a ruthless gang. As for Madras, Pa. Ranjith’s acclaimed political action drama starred him and Kalaiyarasan as two rival political party workers who go against each other’s throats to lay a claim over a wall.
Another great example of his introspective brand of action hero is Theeran Adhigaram Ondru, a cop drama that found Karthi playing a hard nosed man of the law waging a crusade against a band of dacoits along a highway. However, instead of serving as a familiar good-vs-evil drama, Karthi’s career-defining performance explores the morally gray lines between justice and vigilantism.
Occasionally, Karthi can venture into comical territory such as the tearjerker slice-of-life drama Oopiri in which he played a caretaker to a reclusive wheelchair-bound rich man (played by Nagarjuna). The Tamil remake of the French cult favourite The Intouchables, Oopiri was a good way for Karthi to break typecast.
Then came more hits like the first film in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe: Kaithi. Playing a recently-released prisoner who must fight again to protect his daughter, Kaithi was a critical and commercial success and paved the way for a shared universe for other action thrillers by director Lokesh Kanagaraj like Vikram and Leo.
Fresh off the success of Kaithi, Karthi went on to reunite with his old mentor Mani Ratnam as one of the leads in Ratnam’s Chola-era two-part epic Ponniyin Selvan. Based on the classic Tamil novel of the same name, both Ponniyin Selvan movies were set in ancient India during the reign of the Chola dynasty. Revolving around a political conspiracy to remove the Cholas from power, the movies found Karthi playing Vanthiyathevan, a local chieftain loyal to the throne.
Why is Madras Karthi’s best movie to watch?
Madras marked a new era for Karthi as critics began taking him more seriously in terms of his creative choices, dialogue delivery, and dramatic range. No longer was he just beating up bad guys. This time around, he was expressing urban angst of a tumultuous period and taking on gritty characters written by socially-relevant filmmakers like Ranjith.
Where can you stream Karthi’s best movies?
You can watch Karthi’s movies on mainstream OTT platforms like Netflix and Prime Video along with South Indian-specific services like Sun NXT, Aha, and Manorama Max.
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Madras
2014
7.9 (4k)
#1
A portrayal of the lives of the people living in North Madras, focusing on the politics inside the slums and how their plight remains the same, despite the political class luring them constantly during elections.
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AdsKaithi
2019
8.4 (42k)
#2
Dilli, a convicted criminal, is out on parole to meet his daughter. However, a drug bust sets him off on a mission to save the life of police officers.
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Subs HD Subs HD Subs HDTheeran Adhigaaram Ondru
2017
8.2 (17k)
#3
A hardnosed cop goes after a gang of ruthless dacoits who have been terrorising residents along the highway for a decade.
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Subs HD AdsAds HD₹150.00 HD₹290.00 HDPonniyin Selvan: Part I
2022
7.6 (36k)
#4
The Chola kingdom is under threat from forces both internal and external, and with crown prince Aaditha Karikalan, his younger brother Arunmozhi Varman and the emperor, Sundara Cholar separated by situations, it is up to a messenger to ensure the safety of the kingdom. Can he succeed in his mission, especially with Karikalan's former girlfriend, Nandhini, plotting to bring down the entire Chola empire?
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Subs HD₹99.00 HDParuthiveeran
2007
8.2 (4k)
#5
A village tough finally succumbs to the unconditional love of his angelic cousin, but his romance faces insurmountable challenges, including family opposition and his own delinquent personality.
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Aayirathil Oruvan
2010
8.0 (7k)
#6
Anitha, a government official, embarks on a journey to find Chandramouli, an archaeologist, who went to Vietnam to search for any existence of the prince of the Chola dynasty.
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Subs HDPonniyin Selvan: Part Two
2023
7.3 (18k)
#7
Arulmozhi Varman continues on his journey to become Rajaraja I, the greatest ruler of the historic Chola empire of south India.
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Subs HD₹99.00 HDOopiri
2016
8.0 (6k)
#8
A convict out on parole finds employment as the caretaker of a multi-millionaire, who is paralysed from neck down.
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Subs HD Subs HD₹50.00 HD ₹50.00 HD₹460.00 HD ₹460.00 HDNaan Mahaan Alla
2010
7.1 (2k)
#9
A playful young man leads a very happy life, but everything changes when his father witnesses a heinous crime.
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Paiyaa
2010
6.5 (3k)
#10
Shiva, an engineering graduate, is not serious about his job or future even when his friends advise him about life. He falls in love with a girl he saw at a bus stop and finally gets to ride with her in a car.
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Siruthai
2011
6.1 (1k)
#11
A thief comes across a little girl who says that he's her father. When he learns the truth about his lookalike, who's an honest cop, he decides to turn a new leaf and help get rid of the local baddie.
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AdsKadaikutty Singam
2018
6.8 (2k)
#12
Gunasingam, a family-loving farmer who hails from a small town, tries his best to keep his big family united despite him being misunderstood by many.
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Subs HD Ads HD Subs HD Subs HD Ads HD₹99.00 HDThambi
2019
#13
Brother and sister who get separated and reunite years later when the brother has grown to be a criminal.
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Subs HD Subs HD Ads HD₹100.00 HD ₹100.00 HD ₹150.00 HD₹150.00 HD ₹150.00 HD ₹290.00 HDSardar
2022
7.5 (7k)
#14
An espionage agent who is branded a traitor returns from exile to take down a dubious water project and safeguard the country.
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Subs HDJapan
2023
3.2 (2k)
#15
A fictionalized version of the events surrounding notorious criminal Tiruvarur Murugan, who was involved in a big jewellery shop robbery.
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Subs 4KBiriyani
2013
5.7 (1k)
#16
The desire for biryani after drinks lands two friends in an endless frenzy as they get framed for a kidnapping and go on the run.
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Subs HDAlex Pandian
2013
7.7
#17
Alex Pandian (Tamil: அலெக்ஸ் பாண்டியன்) is a Tamil action-masala film directed by Suraj that features Karthi and Anushka Shetty in the lead roles, while Santhanam plays a pivotal supporting role. Devi Sri Prasad composed the music. The film will also be dubbed and simultaneously released in Telugu as Bad Boy.
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Subs HDSaguni
2012
5.4
#18
Saguni is a Tamil political satire film directed by Shankar Dayal. The film features Karthi and Pranitha in the lead roles, while Santhanam, Roja, Prakash Raj, Raadhika Sarathkumar and Nassar appear in supporting roles. The film along with its dubbed Telugu Version Sakuni released on June 22, 2012, It received mixed reviews.
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Subs HDDev
2019
4.8 (1k)
#19
A youngster who has to fight against all the odds in order to achieve his desires.
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Ads HD Subs HD Ads HD SubsAds HD₹120.00 HD₹290.00 HDKaatru Veliyidai
2017
5.9 (2k)
#20
Romance is in the air as the lives of Fighter Pilot Varun & Medical Doctor Leela collide amidst the scenic beauty of Kashmir. While Leela yearns for Varun’s affection in the delicate of ways, Varun’s idea of love is all give-give, not give-take. Just as the avalanche of built-up emotions sets rolling, Varun becomes a PoW post the Kargil episode. Do their paths cross later?
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Subs HD Subs HD Subs₹50.00 HD₹460.00 HD