Top 10 Best Movies of Tamil Actor Karthik

Actor Karthik Muthuraman is one of the leading and finest actors of the 1980s and 1990s. Here is a list of his best movies, selected based on box office collections, critical reception, audience feedback, the actor's performance, and IMDb ratings.

The Top Ten

Ullathai Allitha

Starring: Karthik, Rambha, Goundamani, Manivannan, Jai Ganesh, Senthil
Direction: Sundar. C
Year: 1996
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Blockbuster
This film ran for 175 days. Ullathai Allitha is considered one of the cult comedy movies in Tamil cinema. It was remade in Telugu as Veedevadandi Babu with Mohan Babu and Shilpa Shetty in the lead roles, and in Kannada as Galate Aliyandru with Shivrajkumar and Sakshi Sivananand.
The film's plot elements were inspired by the Hindi film Andaz Apna Apna, starring Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Raveena Tandon. It received highly positive reviews from critics.

I watched this movie on its first show. What a comedy movie! I've watched it more than 50 times. Excellent acting by Karthik.
Gopura Vasalile

Starring: Karthik, Bhanupriya, Suchitra, Nassar, Janagaraj, Charle, Junior Balaiah, V.K. Ramasamy
Direction: Priyadarshan
Year: 1991
Genre: Black Comedy
Verdict: Blockbuster
This film ran for 150 days, with 100 days in many theatres. Gopura Vasalile is Priyadarshan's first Tamil film, and Mohanlal appears in a cameo role in a song. The story borrows some subplots from the Malayalam film Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran (1990).
The film received positive reviews and is one of the earliest examples of black humor in Tamil cinema.

He is one of the best actors in Tamil film.
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

Starring: Karthik, Roja, Ramesh Khanna, Ajith Kumar (Extended Cameo), T. S. B. K. Mouli, Madhan Bob
Direction: Vikraman
Year: 1998
Genre: Romantic Drama
Verdict: Blockbuster
The film ran for over 200 days in theatres across Tamil Nadu. It was Karthik's 100th film as an actor. It was remade in Telugu as Raja (1999) with Venkatesh and Soundarya in the lead roles, where it enjoyed a similar reception.
The film was also remade in Kannada as Kanasugara (2001) with V. Ravichandran and Prema in lead roles, in Bengali as Shakal Sandhya (2005) with Prosenjit Chatterjee and Rachana Banerjee, and in Oriya as Mo Duniya Tu Hi Tu (2013) with Anubhav Mohanty, Barsha Priyadarshini, and Siddhanta Mahapatra - all versions received a similar positive reception.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Awards:
This film won five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:
- Best Film (Third Prize)
- Best Storywriter - Vikraman
- Best Cinematographer - Annadurai
- Best Actor (Special Prize) - Karthik
- Best Actress (Nominated) - Roja
It also won three Cinema Express Awards:
- Best Film
- Best Actor - Karthik
- Best Actress - Roja
Gokulathil Seethai

Agathiyan's masterpiece with directorial excellence. A film of 200% perfectionism.

The best movie in actor Karthik's career.

Starring: Karthik, Suvalakshmi, Karan, Manivannan
Direction: Agathiyan
Year: 1996
Genre: Romantic Drama
Verdict: Super Hit
The film ran for 100 days in 5 centers. It was remade into Telugu as Gokulamlo Seetha (1997) starring Pawan Kalyan and Raasi, in Kannada as Krishna Leele (2000) starring Shivarajkumar and Suvalakshmi reprising her role, and in Hindi as Hum Ho Gaye Aapke (2001) with Fardeen Khan and Reema Sen in lead roles.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Awards:
1996 Tamil Nadu State Film Award - Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light
Anveshana

Starring: Karthik, Bhanupriya, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Sharat Babu
Direction: Vamsy
Year: 1985
Language: Telugu
Genre: Thriller
Verdict: Blockbuster
The film completed a 100-day run in 11 centers.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Seethakoka Chiluka

Starring: Karthik, Aruna Mucherla
Direction: Bharathiraja
Year: 1981
Genre: Romance
Verdict: Blockbuster
Critics: Positive Reviews
Awards & Accolades:
- National Film Awards - 1981 - Best Feature Film in Telugu
- Nandi Awards - 1981 - Best Feature Film - Gold
- Premiered at the 9th International Film Festival of India
Vanna Kanavugal

Starring: Karthik, Murali, Jayashree
Direction: Ameerjan
Year: 1987
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Super Hit
The film ran for 104 days and was a remake of the Malayalam film Adiyozhukkukal (1984), starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Seema.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Dharma Pathini

Starring: Karthik, Jeevitha, Goundamani, Radharavi
Direction: Ameerjan
Year: 1986
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Super Hit
The film ran for 125 days. It was remade in Telugu as Dharmapatni (1987) with Suman, Bhanupriya, and Rajendra Prasad in lead roles, and in Hindi as Jawab Hum Denge (1987) with Jackie Shroff and Shatrughan Sinha in lead roles.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Lucky Man

Starring: Karthik, Sanghavi, Goundamani, Senthil, Manjula Vijayakumar, Thayagu
Direction: Prathap K. Pothen
Year: 1995
Genre: Mythological Fantasy Comedy
Verdict: Super Hit
The film later achieved cult status. Lucky Man is a remake of the 1994 Telugu hit Yamaleela, starring Ali and Indraja.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Amaran

Starring: Karthik, Bhanupriya, Radharavi, Pratap K. Pothen, Shammi Kapoor
Direction: K. Rajeshwar
Year: 1992
Genre: Mob
Verdict: Blockbuster
Critics: Positive Reviews

The Newcomers

?
Anantha Poongatre
?
Thaana Serndha Kootam

The Contenders

Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga

Starring: Karthik, Rambha, Goundamani, Vinu Chakravarthy, Vivek
Direction: Sundar C.
Year: 1999
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Verdict: Blockbuster
The film was remade in Telugu as Maa Pelliki Randi (2001) with J.D. Chakravarthy and Sakshi Sivanand in lead roles.
Critics: Positive to Mixed Reviews
Harichandra

Starring: Karthik, Meena
Direction: Cheyyar Ravi
Year: 1998
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Verdict: Hit
The film was remade in Telugu as Harischandraa (1999) with J.D. Chakravarthy and Raasi in lead roles.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Kan Simittum Neram

Starring: Karthik, Ambika, Sarath Kumar
Direction: Kalaivanan Kannadasan
Year: 1988
Genre: Thriller
Verdict: Hit
The film was remade in Hindi as Sailaab (1990) starring Aditya Pancholi and Madhuri Dixit.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Aval Sumangalithan

Starring: Karthik, Ilavarasi, Visu, K. R. Vijaya
Direction: Visu
Year: 1985
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Hit
The movie was remade in Telugu as Punyasthree (1986), starring Rajendra Prasad, Karthik, and Bhavya.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Nadodi Thendral

Starring: Karthik, Ranjitha, Pandiyan, Jangaraj, Napoleon
Direction: Bharathiraja
Written by: Sujatha
Year: 1992
Genre: Romance
Verdict: Blockbuster
Aamir Khan's Lagaan (2001) and Arya's Madrasapattinam (2010) were inspired by Nadodi Thendral.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Chinna Jameen

Starring: Karthik, Sukanya, Vineetha
Direction: Raj Kapoor
Year: 1993
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Hit
The movie ran for 100 days.
Critics: Positive to Mixed Reviews
Azhagana Naatkal

Starring: Karthik, Rambha, Goundamani, Senthil
Direction: Sundar. C
Year: 2001
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Above Average
Critics: Mixed Reviews
This film is a remake of the Malayalam film Minnaram (1994) starring Mohanlal and Shobana. Minnaram itself was based on the Tamil film Penne Nee Vazhga (1967) starring Jaishankar.
Chinna Kannamma
Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen (Tamil movie)
Mettukudi

Starring: Karthik, Gemini Ganesan, Nagma, Goundamani, Manivannan
Direction: Sundar C.
Year: 1996
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Blockbuster
Critics: Positive Reviews
Agni Natchathiram

Starring: Karthik, Prabhu, Vijayakumar, Amala, Nirosha, V. K. Ramasamy, Janagaraj
Direction: Maniratnam
Year: 1988
Genre: Action Drama
Verdict: Blockbuster
The film completed a 200-day run in select theaters across Tamil Nadu and 100 days in 11 centers. It was remade in Hindi as Vansh (1992) starring Siddharth Ray and Sudesh Berry.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Awards:
Filmfare Award:
- Best Tamil Film
- Best Actor - Karthik
Tamil Nadu State Film Award:
- Best Film
- Special Prize for Best Actor - Karthik
- Best Female Playback - K. S. Chitra
Cinema Express Award:
- Best Tamil Film
- Best Director Special Award - Mani Ratnam
- Best Actress Special Award - Amala
- Best New Face - Nirosha
- Best Music Director - Ilaiyaraaja (also for Soora Samhaaram and Dharmathin Thalaivan)
Lovely
Ponnumani

Starring: Karthik, Soundarya, Sivakumar
Direction: R. V. Udhayakumar
Year: 1993
Genre: Romantic Drama
Verdict: Blockbuster
The movie completed a 100-day run in Chennai, Kovai, Madurai, and received a similar response in other parts of the Kongu region.
Critics: Positive Reviews
Awards:
Filmfare Best Actor Award - Karthik
The song "Nenjukkule Innarendru," sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, was a chartbuster.
Mouna Raagam

Starring: Mohan, Revathi, Karthik, V.K. Ramasamy
Direction: Maniratnam
Year: 1986
Genre: Romantic Drama
Verdict: Blockbuster
This film ran for over 175 days and became a cult classic. Mouna Raagam was houseful from the first day of release until the 100th day at Chandran Theatre. It was remade in Hindi as Kasak (1992) with Rishi Kapoor and Neelam Kothari, and in Kannada as Chandrodaya (1999) with Ramesh Arvind.
Critics: Positive Reviews in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Ananda Vikatan's Rating: 43 out of 100
Awards & Accolades:
- 34th National Film Awards: Best Feature Film in Tamil
- 36th Filmfare Awards South: Best Tamil Director - Maniratnam
The film was screened at the 11th International Film Festival of India, the only Tamil entry that year. It was also included in a retrospective of Mani Ratnam's films at the 2002 Calcutta Film Festival and the Locarno Film Festival.
Unnai Solli Kutramillai