Actor
Karthik Subbaraj
Based In
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Origin
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Years Active
2012–Present
Karthik Subbaraj – Biography
Karthik Subbaraj – Full Information
- Full Name: Karthik Subbaraj
- Popular Name: Karthik Subbaraj
- Nickname: KaSu
- Profession: Film Director, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Actor (Cameos)
- Profession Category: Filmmaker, Director, Writer
- Known For: Pizza (2012), Jigarthanda (2014), Petta (2019), Jigarthanda DoubleX (2023), Retro (2025)
- Date of Birth: 19 March 1983
- Age: 43 years (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Hometown: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Current Residence: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Religion: Not Publicly Disclosed
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Physical Appearance
- Height: Approx. 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 82 kg
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Family
- Father: Gajaraj (Actor)
- Mother: Not Publicly Disclosed
- Siblings: Not Publicly Known
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse: Sathya Prema (m. 2011)
- Children: Not Publicly Disclosed
Education
- School: SBOA Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, Madurai
- College: Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai
- Qualification: Graduate in Mechatronics Engineering
Career Highlight
| Year | Career Highlight |
|---|---|
| 2006–2011 | Worked as a software engineer at Infosys in Bengaluru and the United States before leaving the profession to pursue filmmaking, creating acclaimed short films including Kaatchipizhai. |
| 2012 | Made his feature directorial debut with the horror thriller Pizza, which became a cult blockbuster and established him as a promising filmmaker. |
| 2013 | Made a cameo acting appearance in the black comedy Soodhu Kavvum. |
| 2014 | Wrote and directed the critically acclaimed gangster drama Jigarthanda, earning widespread recognition for his distinctive filmmaking style. |
| 2016 | Directed Iraivi, receiving praise for its exploration of gender dynamics and social issues. |
| 2019 | Fulfilled a career milestone by directing Superstar Rajinikanth in the blockbuster Petta while also making a cameo appearance. |
| 2022 | Directed the action drama Mahaan starring Vikram and Dhruv Vikram. |
| 2023 | Released Jigarthanda DoubleX, which became both a critical and commercial success. |
| 2025 | Directed the action thriller Retro (originally announced as Suriya 44), starring Suriya. |
| 2026 | Co-produced the romantic drama 29 under Stone Bench Creations and announced his landmark 10th directorial film in collaboration with producer Guneet Monga and composer Ilaiyaraaja. |
Awards List
| Year | Award Category | Award Name | Film / Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Best Story & Best Debut Director | Vijay Awards | Pizza | Won |
| 2013 | Best Debutant Director (Tamil) | South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) | Pizza | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Director – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Jigarthanda | Nominated |
| 2024 | Best Director | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Jigarthanda DoubleX | Won |
| 2024 | Best Director – Tamil | South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) | Jigarthanda DoubleX | Won |
About Karthik Subbaraj
Yes. While he is primarily a director, he has played brief cameo roles as an actor, notably in the cult dark-comedy Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and inside his own directorial project Petta (2019) alongside Rajinikanth.
He is currently directing his milestone 10th feature film, a unique independent festival project produced by Oscar-winner Guneet Monga Kapoor, featuring an original musical score by the legendary maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
He holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering and worked for multiple years as a software systems engineer for Infosys in Bangalore and overseas before turning to filmmaking.
Yes, his father, Gajaraj, is a well-known veteran supporting actor in the Tamil film industry who has appeared in hit movies like Mundasupatti, Kabali, and Jigarthanda.
He runs a highly prominent independent production banner called Stone Bench Creations, which has produced hits like Meyaadha Maan, Penguin, and the 2026 film 29.