It was on 3rd Feb 2012 that Sivakarthikeyan entered our hearts through the big screen. A decade since, he is no more the awkward actor looking to make a mark. He is a STAR, a Superstar, if I may

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Happy Birthday Sivakarthikeyan: From Marina to Maaveeran, charting the rise and rise of the actor

From being a stand-up comic to a TV presenter to now a bonafide star, Sivakarthikeyan's career is a benchmark for what can be done through sheer hard work and unbridled talent

Team CE

Updated:17th Feb, 2023 at 8:56 PM

Every journey has a beginning, and Sivakarthikeyan's cinema journey began on a seashore. A water body that defines Chennai to the world.

Though Marina revolved around street-children dwelling in the eponymous beach, Sivakarthikeyan made an assured debut. Who could have predicted the rise of this young comedian?

What was Sivakarthikeyan's dream? Did he want to be a comedian? Did he want to be a hero? Was he happy to be part of 3? Not sure, what SK thought, but Dhanush surely had other plans

Though, for some reason, not uttered in the same breath as his other films, Manam Kothi Paravai marked his debut as a full-fledged hero. A film that rode on his shoulders. A sign of things to come.

With every film, SK was getting more assured as an actor. Director Pandiraj utilised it to the hilt letting him ham away to glory in Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga. Also, we got to see his emotional range.

Dhanush put his plans into action by casting SK as a lead role, and re-launching him as a solo hero. The Dhanush production also had an apt title - Ethirneechal. Remember another comedian-turned-hero?

This relaunch had it all. A happening heroine. A happening composer. Cameos by top actors. Story of an underdog triumphing against all odds. Sports. Well, it had blockbuster written all over!

The first real test for SK, an 'overnight' star was to sustain that stardom. In one of SK's smartest film choices, he chose to go rural this time with Varuthapadaadha Vaalibar Sangam

With VVS, Sivakarthikeyan cemented his stardom in style. Staying true to his strong suit, SK revelled in comedy alongside a major star and a comic genius Sathyaraj. Second massive success.

When someone like Hansika Motwani, who has shared screenspace with some of the biggest actors in Tamil cinema, and AR Murugadoss were involved in a SK project, the stakes became higher in Maan Karate

Maan Karate managed to establish the action hero credentials of Sivakarthikeyan. It is impressive how he was gradually transforming into the quintessential Tamil cinema hero, one step at a time

With sights set clear on superstardom, it wasn't much of a shock that SK decided to do a cop film. That too, a title that was previously used by Kamal Haasan - Kaaki Sattai

Once again, though he aimed big, the steps were gradual. He played a street smart constable. Of course, Anirudh and his chartbusters ensured the fun element was maintained. It was an SK film after all

Rajini Murugan extended Sivakarthikeyan's golden run at the box-office. This rural entertainer, which saw SK reunite with the VVS team of director Ponram and Soori catapulted him to the big league

It was a smart decision to alternate between urban and rural entertainers as Sivakarthikeyan's career took the right path. Also marked yet another musical success with D Imman after VVS

Remo was undoubtedly Sivakarthikeyan's biggest & riskiest attempt. While his appearance as a female nurse to woo Keerthy was risky, the technical wizardry of PC Sreeram made it a believable endeavour

Though this project was a commercial success, it went on to become one of the most controversial films in SK's career. Financial issues notwithstanding, Remo was criticised for glorifying stalking.

Was it the controversy or was it the urge to branch out? Nevertheless, Sivakarthikeyan and newly conscientious Raja came up with Velaikaran. His pairing with Nayanthara gave him major street cred

This 'classy' SK's attempt came at the cost of alienation of his core audience. They weren't prepared to see SK in a serious avatar. They wanted jokes but got sermons. But SK can be proud of this film

After a small bump at the box-office, SK pinned all his hopes on Seema Raja. It was his third film with Ponram, who made VVS and Rajini Murugan before. This was supposed to be his comfort zone. But...

While it did have a lot of things going for it, including hit songs, big names like Samantha and Simran, and a period flashback too, things didn't quite fall in place for Seema Raja

Multiple setbacks notwithstanding, Sivakarthikeyan made his debut as producer with Kanaa, the directorial debut of his long-time friend, Arunraja Kamaraj. Kanaa starred Aishwarya Rajesh as a cricketer

Sivakarthikeyan also had an impressive cameo in Kanaa as a former cricketer-turned-coach who helps Aishwarya find her groove. SK struck gold and began his innings as a producer on the front foot

Sivakarthikeyan needed a huge success. SK went back to a director who milks family sentiments with ease. SK went back to the director who introduced him in cinema. SK now had Namma Veettu Pillai

Heading an ensemble cast with names like Aishwarya Rajesh, Samuthirakan, Anu, and Natty, SK's Namma Veettu Pillai proved to be that much-needed success that will give him the cushion for experiments

And one such experimentation was PS Mithran's superhero film, HERO. Playing a normal guy turning into a vigilante, Sivakarthikeyan channelised his inner Robin to Arjun's Batman to interesting results

Director Nelson Dilipkumar's Doctor showcased a Sivakarthikeyan we had never seen before, and wow! He was good

Even if his first Tamil-Telugu bilingual didn't really set the cash registers ringing, it was a nice step ahead for Sivakarthikeyan, who was showing signs of experimentation

Scene-ah Scene-ah Maaveeran has made the first move, and this Madonne Ashwin film promises to be an interesting addition to Sivakarthikeyan's filmography, which is showing signs of evolving

The long-awaited project with Indru Netru Naalai director Ravikumar, Ayalaan, is expected to be one of Sivakarthikeyan's most ambitious and experimental projects