This article is about Srikanth, an Indian actor active since 2002. For the Tamil actor Srikanth active from 1968 to 2009, see
Srikanth (actor, born 1940).
Srikanth is an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in
Tamil and
Telugu films. He is credited as Sriram in Telugu films.[1] He debuted in
K. Balachander's tele serial Jannal – Marabu Kavithaigal (1999).[2][3] His film debut was in the romantic film Roja Kootam (2002) and went on to star in more such films including April Maadhathil (2002), Parthiban Kanavu (2003) and Okariki Okaru (2003). He subsequently went on to portray action roles in Drohi (2010). In 2012, he starred in Nanban, the Tamil remake of 3 Idiots, directed by
S. Shankar.
He married Vandana on 7 September 2008, who had completed her
MBA in Australia.[7][8] The couple has two children.[9][10]
Career
2002–2009: Debut and breakthrough
Looking to step into an acting career after beginning as a model, Srikanth was coached acting skills by then-assistant directors such as
Vetrimaaran and
Mysskin in the early 2000s.[11] Srikanth was selected to play the lead role in
Kathir's Kadhal Virus (2002) and spent a year preparing for the film, before being replaced by fellow newcomer
Richard. He was then considered to make his acting debut through
Jeeva's 12B, but the role went to another newcomer
Shaam.[11] Further potential projects directed by
Bharathiraja and
K. Balachander also did not work out, before he was cast by
Sasi in Roja Kootam (2002), after the original lead actor had opted out.[12] After the film's success, he became popularly known as Roja Kootam Srikanth for a while.[13]
Srikanth then featured in another successful venture April Madhathil (2002) alongside
Sneha followed by Manasellam (2003). He won the
Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role in Parthiban Kanavu (2003), directed by
Karu Pazhaniappan. Srikanth's straight Telugu film was
Rasool Ellore's directorial debut Okariki Okaru under the stage name of Sriram to avoid confusion with established star
Meka Srikanth. The film received positive reviews upon release with one critic noting that "He did a sensible portrayal of the role".[14] His first release of 2004 was Varnajalam, followed by Bose, in which he was paired with Sneha for the second time after April Maadhathil. Kana Kandaen (2005) directed by
K. V. Anand, with the Malayalam actor
Prithviraj in his first Tamil role. Srikanth and Prithviraj gave a good performance also.[15][16] The film was followed by Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005) and Bambara Kannaley (2005). In 2006, he acted in the film Mercury Pookkal,[17] and Uyir. Behindwoods wrote: "Sri has come up with an excellent performance of a man lost in this juggernaut of emotions."[18] TSV Hari at Rediff.com responded negatively to Kizhakku Kadarkarai Salai, noting a thin script and "meaningless songs".[19] This was the third film and last collaboration between the director
S. S. Stanley and Srikanth after April Maadhathil and Mercury Pookkal. His next film was Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, a Telugu film directed by Tamil director
Selvaraghavan. Srikanth play the second lead role after Telugu actor
Venkatesh Daggubati. This was followed by Vallamai Tharayo (2008), Poo (2008) and Indira Vizha (2009).
2010–2017: Setbacks and success
In 2010, Srikanth released Rasikkum Seemane, Police Police and Drohi. Srikanth co-starring with the new Tamil actor
Vishnu Vishal in this film.[20]Mandhira Punnagai was last released in guest appearance. In 2011, he began in Malayalam film Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action,[21] a Telugu film, Dhada and Sadhurangam.[22] The film was completed in 2006 but the film remained unreleased for five years. The project was released on 7 October 2011. These three movies were box office failures. In 2012, he was first seen in
S. Shankar's comedy-drama Nanban, which featured him as part of an
all-star cast including
Vijay,
Jiiva,
Ileana D'Cruz and
Sathyaraj. The movie is released to positive reviews. It was dubbed and released in Telugu as Snehitudu.[23] He also started in Telugu film Nippu (2011), a Malayalam film Hero (2012) and comedy film Paagan (2012). Later, he acted in Buddy (2013) and Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (2014) as guest appearance directed by
R. Parthiepan. In 2015, he played in the supernatural drama film Om Shanthi Om. The following year, he acted in the horror film Sowkarpettai (2016) and comedy Nambiyaar (2016). In 2017, he appeared in the Telugu action thriller Lie.
2019–present
In 2019, his next movie was Rocky: The Revenge, a Tamil action crime thriller centered on dogs.[24] The film was a box office failure.[25] He also appeared in the Telugu film Raagala 24 Gantallo (2019), where he played the cop.[26]
Srikanth plays in serial killer in the action thriller Mirugaa (2021), followed by three Telugu movies Y (2021), Asalem Jarigindi (2021) and 10th Class Diaries (2022). Then he plays the role of a cop who investigates the case in the crime Maha. However, the film was a failure to critics.[27] Later, he was cast in multi-stars in Coffee with Kadhal (2022), Bagheera (2023), Kannai Nambathey (2023) and Ravanasura (2023). After that, he returns as the main hero in Echo (2023), Amala (2023) and Pindam (2023).
^Rangarajan, Malathi (14 January 2012).
"Nanban: Celebrating friendship". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.