Karthika Adaikalam

Karthika made her debut as an actress through Sanjay Ram's Thoothukudi, a village action drama, where she appeared opposite choreographer-turned-actor Harikumar. She was cast in the film after the makers had spotted her in a commercial.[2] The relative success of the film prompted Karthika to be labelled as 'Thootukudi' Karthika or 'Karuvappaiya' Karthika by the media, after a popular song from the film.[3][4] A song titled "Ulaga Azhagi" from her second film, Pirappu (2008) also won her recognition, despite the relative low-key release of the film. She was recognised by director Bala, who cast her in the leading female role of a bling beggar opposite Arya in Naan Kadavul (2009) during mid-2007. However, despite being completing a test shoot, where she was asked to beg in the streets of Periyakulam, Bala later dropped her from the project.[5] Some of the other films she worked on during the period including Raghavan's Alaiyodu Vilaiyadu, Jawahar Pattalam and Machan also failed to have a theatrical release.[6][7]

Karthika featured in Raman Thediya Seethai (2008) alongside an ensemble cast including Cheran, Pasupathy and Vimala Raman.[8] She then signed on to appear in Madurai Sambavam (2009), once again appearing alongside Harikumar. Post-release, she revealed that she had accepted the brief role as a goodwill gesture to Harikumar, who had played a role in beginning her acting career.[9]

Karthika took an extended break from the film industry after getting married in 2012.[10] In mid-2019, Karthika announced plans of making a comeback to acting.[11] She will next be seen in the fantasy film, Mayamukhi.[12][13]