Siva Personal Details

Sivakarthikeyan's native place is Thiruveezhimizhalai near Thiruvarur and was born to G. Doss, a police officer, and Raji in a Isai Velalar family. He has a sister, Gowrimanohari, who is a doctor in Tiruchirapalli. His grandfather is a Padmashree award winner for Nadaswaram, and Sivakarthikeyan learnt the instrument briefly in his childhood under the pupillage of MPM Ponnusamy. He completed his schooling in Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli and then undertook his Bachelor of Computer Engineering at J. J. College of Engineering and Technology, Tiruchirappalli. He also studied and attained an MBA from Indian Institute of Planning and Management, Chennai. He married Aarthi on August 27, 2010 and has a baby girl Aaradhana, born on 22 October 2013.

Career

Early career, 2008-2012

During his time in college, Sivakarthikeyan took interest in cultural programmes and often performed mimicry and film spoofs as a part of a dramatics club. He noted that once he was able to keep the attention of two thousand youngsters in an auditorium, he knew he had the potential to do the same with larger crowds and have a career in the entertainment industry. Before beginning his MBA programme, he was free for three months and during the period his friends convinced him to audition for the Kalakka Povathu Yaaru competition on STAR Vijay and despite initial reluctance to apply, he won the show. He then continued his television appearances by through participation in dance-reality shows, pairing up with Aishwarya in Jodi Number One Season 3 and then in Boys Vs Girls Season 1 and 2. He then received further opportunities to host several shows on STAR Vijay including Airtel Super Singer, opportunities to host promotional film events as well a chance to host the 5th and 6th editions of the Vijay Awards. Sivakarthikeyan also attempted to make a breakthrough in films, auditioning for a role in Balaji Sakthivel's Vazhakku Enn 18/9, but was unsuccessful. He regularly appeared in short films including Atlee's Mugapputhagam, Identity, Kurahl 786 and 360°, while balancing his career as a television host.

After seeing him host the audio launch function of the film Vaagai Sooda Vaa, Pandiraj approached him to play a role in his next venture Marina, and Sivakarthikeyan signed the project. He prepared for his first role by paying close attention to Pandiraj's instructions and visiting Marina Beach extensively to study the surroundings, while revealing that he hoped that his natural talent of humour would come through on-screen. Featuring alongside Oviya as a young couple in the film, Siva's performance was well received with a critic noting "the romance adds colour to a monochrome film", while the reviewer also noted that the "role of Senthilnathan requires Siva to be just himself, it is just a cake walk in terms of performance for this actor." Prior to Marina's release, Aishwarya Dhanush had signed him up to play a supporting role as Dhanush's friend in 3, after being impressed with his work on stage as a host. Following significant pre-release hype, the film opened to predominantly positive reviews with critics appreciating Sivakarthikeyan's work providing comic relief in a serious film. The project also marked the beginning of an association with Dhanush, who Sivakarthikeyan has often stated is his mentor in the film industry. He was next seen in Ezhil's romantic comedy Manam Kothi Paravai, which opened to mixed reviews but had a decent run at the box office. A critic noted that the film "might not provide Sivakarthikeyan the platform he is aspiring for – lead roles in movies. But it does showcase his potential as an actor, moving away from the annals of a comedian."

Breakthrough in films, 2013-present

He appeared in three consecutive commercially successive films in 2013, emerging as one of the most bankable lead actors of Tamil cinema. Alongside Vijay Sethupathi, the emergence of both actors led to film industry pundits labelling the pair as "next generation stars". In his first release of the year, Sivakarthikeyan agreed to feature in another venture with Pandiraj's Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga, a dual hero coming-to-age comedy alongside Vimal, and shot for the film in his home town of Tiruchirappalli. The film opened to positive reviews with a critic noting Siva's "comic timing is terrific", while another reviewer noted "he manages to outshine Vimal with his great comic sense and casual yet sarcastic dialogue delivery". The film became a surprise success at the box office and became a profitable venture for producers and distributors. His next success was through Dhanush's debut production venture Ethir Neechal, where Sivakarthikeyan portrayed a youngster attempting to overcome his problems of confidence. A critic noted that he "proves that he is full-fledged hero material", while the film became a commercial success. His next venture, Ponram's comedy Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, saw him portray a comical leader of a young village society and featured him alongside Sri Divya and Soori. Sivakarthikeyan helped to extensively promote the film, making a promotional video for a song he had sung in the venture as well as completing a whirlwind tour of Tamil Nadu cinema halls to interact with fans. He won positive reviews for his performance from critics, with Sify.com noting "Sivakarthikeyan is terrific as Bosepandi because he makes this yarn look so believable on screen with his body language, eyes and dialogue delivery". Another reviewer wrote that he is "a delight to watch", claiming "he carried the script". The film completed hundred days during its theatrical run and is Sivakarthikeyan's biggest commercial box office success to date.

He is filming for two action films in 2014, portraying a timid kick boxer in AR Murugadoss's production Maan Karate and a police officer in Taana, with the same team who had made Ethir Neechal.