Udhay Avishek Karthik is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. Closely associated with director Gautham Vasudev Menon, Karthik has worked previously as Menon's assistant in the films Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007) and Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), before making a breakthrough as an actor through the director's experimental thriller Nadunisi Naaygal (2011).[1][2]
Udhay Avishek Karthik | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Karthik, Deva |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2007 – present |
| Relatives | Maheshwari (Sister) Sri Devi (Aunt) |
Early life
editKarthik was born to a Mohan Reddy, who hails from Tirupati, and Suryakala Yalamanchili, who belongs to Telugu speaking community in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. He is the brother of actress Maheswari and the nephew of veteran actress Sridevi.[3][4][5]
Career
editKarthik joined Gautham Menon's directorial team in 2006 and worked with him during the production of Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007), before being announced as one of the four new male leads in a film titled Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam to be directed by Menon. The film, set in the backdrop of Chennai's IT industry, began its shoot in mid-2007 with Trisha leading an ensemble cast but was later delayed and then eventually shelved.[6][7]
Karthik then continued his work with Menon as an assistant director, and featured in the supporting role of Mahesh, Suriya's friend in Vaaranam Aayiram (2008). He subsequently opted against continuing in Menon's team for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), but was approached to act in the director's experimental film Nadunisi Naaygal (2011) alongside Veera and Sameera Reddy. Credited in the film as Deva, he worked out and built his body to portray a cop convincingly.[8] The film opened to mixed reviews, with a critic from Rediff.com noting "Deva, as the serious Assistant Commissioner of Police, does a neat job", while Behindwoods.com wrote "Deva who plays a cop has nothing much to do but he does it well".[9][10] The film was later also dubbed and released in Telugu, with Karthik's link to actress Sridevi garnering the film further attention from the media.[11]
In mid-2014, he began work on Kaathadi, which eventually had a delayed release in February 2018.[12][13]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Pachaikili Muthucharam | Singer | Cameo appearance in "Kadhal Konjam" song |
| 2008 | Vaaranam Aayiram | Mahesh | |
| 2011 | Nadunisi Naaygal | Vijay | |
| 2018 | Kaathadi | Sakthi | |
| 2023 | Dinosaurs | Mannu |
References
edit- ^ "Deva On Nadunisi Naaygal - Gautham Menon - Nadunisi Naaygal - Deva - Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam - Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Karthik Interview". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Trisha and the boys!". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Erra Gulabilu film news - Telugu cinema". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Sridevi connection in "Nadunisi Naaygal"". Indiaglitz.com. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Chennai set for the rains!". The Hindu. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: 20 Movies 20 Moments | Gautham Menon Interview With Baradwaj Rangan | Face 2 Face. YouTube.
- ^ "Deva owes it to Gautham Menon". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Review: Nadunisi Naigal lacks thrills". Rediff.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Nadunisi Naaygal : What didn't work? - Tamil Movie Columns - Nadunisi Naaygal - Gautham Menon - Sameera Reddy - Manoj Paramahamsa - Veera". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ Staff Reporter (19 February 2011). "Sridevi promotes nephew's film". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Dhansika dons cop role". The Hindu. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Made in Madras". Indulge.newindianexpress.com. 31 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.