Karthik Jayaram
Other namesJK
Height1.76 m
EducationStructural Engineering
Notable works
Birth date01 May 1979 (47 years)
Birth placeKoppa, Karnataka, India
OccupationActor · Model
Years active2013–present

Karthik Jayaram is an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. He also worked in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi industry. He is known for his roles in Kannada serial Ashwini Nakshatra,[1] for Hindi serial Siya Ke Ram as "Ravana" and for the Hindi film Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart.[2][3] In 2017, he was second runner-up in the Bigg Boss Kannada 5. He received prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his role of "Ravana".[4]

Early life

Kartik was born in Koppa, Chikmagalur, Karnataka.[5] He holds degrees in 'Mechanical and Civil Engineering' from the Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT) and a Master's degree in Structural Engineering.[6] Before transitioning into acting career, he worked as a civil engineer at Praxair in Dubai.[7]

Career

In 2013, Kartik made his acting debut in the Colors Kannada television series Ashwini Nakshatra, playing the role of superstar "Jay Krishna (JK)".[8] The series was the highest rated during its broadcast.[9][10] In 2015, he starred as "Ravana" in Star Plus's devotional Hindi series Siya Ke Ram; his performance was highly appreciated.[11] In 2017, he was the second runner-up in the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 5.[12] His performance in Dayal Padmanabhan's thriller Aa Karaala Ratri was awarded.[13] In 2026, his performance as "Satrajit" in Hardik Gajjar's Hindi film directorial debut Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart was critically acclaimed.[14]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleChannelNotesRef
2013Ashwini NakshatraJay Krishna "JK"Colors KannadaMain Lead[15]
2013AgnisakshiSuperstar JKColors KannadaGuest
2015Siya Ke RamRavanaStar PlusHindi Voiced: Manoj Pandey[16]
2017Bigg Boss Kannada 5ContestantColors Super[17]
2020Naagini 2AadisheshaZee KannadaGuest, Ep:1
2022Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-KabulIblisSony SABMain Antagonist[18]

Films

YearFilmRoleLanguage(s)Ref
2011Kempe GowdaVaikuntaKannada[19]
VishnuvardhanaDr. Surya Prakash[20]
JarasandhaRavi Poojary[21]
2013VaradanayakaSiddu[22]
Padhe Padhe[23]
2014Just LoveSurya[24]
2015ChandrikaArjunKannada-Telugu bilingual
Bengaluru 560023KarthikKannada[25]
Care of Footpath 2Inspector Karthikcredited as Jaya Karthik[26]
2016SaZakir HussainKannada[27]
2017VismayaChristopher[28]
2018Kuchiku Kuchiku
Aa Karaala RatriChenna Keshava[29]
May 1stRavaanaAlso scriptwriter[30]
Puta 109Inspector JKKannada[31]
2020O Pushpa I Hate TearsAdhityaHindi[32]
2021MaaligaiVishnu / VishnuvardhanTamil[33]
2023IravanMithun ChakravarthyKannada[34]
2026Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart (Hridayam)SatrajitHindi[35]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkStatusRef.
2015Dadasaheb Phalke AwardBest Character: RavanaSiya Ke Ram[4]
2018South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role: KannadaAa Karaala Ratri[36]

References

  1. ^ Rajendra (2013-10-25). "ಸೆಂಚುರಿ ಪೂರೈಸಿದ ಈಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಧಾರಾವಾಹಿ" (in kn). kannada.filmibeat.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  2. ^ "'Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart' box office collection day 6: Siddharth Gupta’s devotional drama crosses Rs 10 crore India gross". Times Of India. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  3. ^ A. Sharadhaa (20 November 2013). "The small screen's big rewards". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 November 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  4. ^ S, Muralidhar (2022-05-06). "ಕಿರುತೆರೆ ರಾವಣ ಜೆಕೆ ಲೆಜೆಂಡ್ ದಾದಾ ಸಾಹೇಬ್ ಫಾಲ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ" (in kn). kannada.filmibeat.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  5. ^ "'Siya Ke Ram' actor Karthik Jayaram is a fitness freak, says 'Working out is an investment for me that gives the best returns' – Exclusive". The Times of India. 2024-03-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  6. ^ "Karthik Jayaram talks about his favourite filmmakers". The Times of India. 2020-06-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  7. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (2014-11-04). "Karthik Likes Being a Big Fish in a Small Pond". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  8. ^ "Jayaram Karthik gets nostalgic watching his show 'Ashwini Nakshatra'". The Times of India. 2020-04-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  9. ^ "Kannada TV show 'Ashwini Nakshatra' set for a rerun". The Times of India. 2020-04-16. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  10. ^ "Ashwini Nakshatra sets a new trend". The Times of India. 2014-12-15. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  11. ^ "Karthik Jayaram on Siya Ke Ram being dubbed in Kannada and more". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  12. ^ *"Ex Bigg Boss Kannada contestant Karthik Jayaram scorches the ramp; Check out the video". The Times of India. 2018-05-28. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25. *Harshitha (2018-01-26). "ಎಂದೂ ತಾಳ್ಮೆ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳದ ಜೆಕೆ 'ಬಿಗ್ ಬಾಸ್' ಗೆದ್ದುಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ.?" (in kn). kannada.filmibeat.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25. *"'I learnt how to control my anger'". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  13. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2019: Here's a complete list of nominees". The Times of India. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  14. ^ *"Jayaram Karthik eyes wider canvas with his next, Krishnavataram". New Indian Express. 16 April 2026. *"Forget Ramayana, Krishnavataram can be biggest film on Indian epic, here are four key hints from trailer that will leave you stunned". www.dnaindia.com. 16 April 2026.
  15. ^ "Ashwini Nakshatra couple Karthik Jayaram and Mayuri to reunite for a new year special show". The Times of India. 2021-12-16. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  16. ^ "'Siya Ke Ram' actor Karthik Jayaram wishes to play powerful roles, says ‘At the end of the day I want to be recognised as a performer’". The Times of India. 2024-02-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  17. ^ "Jayaram Karthik goes nostalgic about Bigg Boss days; recalls the kind gestures shown by fellow contestants". The Times of India. 2019-09-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  18. ^ "Exclusive: Jayaram Karthik returns to Hindi TV with new soap". The Times of India. Archived 10 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  19. ^ archive, From our online (2012-05-16). "A good family entertainer". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  20. ^ "IndiaGlitz - 'Only Vishnuvardhana' in 120 theatres - Tamil Movie News". Archived 2014-12-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  21. ^ "Jarasandha: Cock-and-bull story". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  22. ^ "Sudeep ruled box-office in 2013". The Times of India. 2013-12-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  23. ^ Joy, Prathibha (2 May 2013). "It’s cricket over celebrations for Karthik". The Times of India
  24. ^ Joy, Prathibha (24 January 2014). "Hectic Ashwini Nakshatra schedule for J Karthik". The Times of India. Archived 14 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  25. ^ *"Bengaluru 560023 releasing on Nov 20th". FilmiBeat. Archived 20 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 November 2015. *"Sanjjanaa and Karthik at the launch of Bangalore 560023". The Times of India. 2014-04-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  26. ^ *"Karthik Jayaram didn't find Hindi TV industry a culture shock". India Forums. Retrieved 2026-05-26. *"'Care of Footpath 2' an exercise in excess". Los Angeles Times. 5 November 2015. Archived 17 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  27. ^ "Revealed! Cast of Hemanth Hegde's next". The Times of India. 2015-01-04. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  28. ^ "“Arjun has more to perform than his stunts in Nibunan” – Arun Vaidyanathan". Top 10 Cinema. 2017-05-11. Archived 2017-07-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  29. ^ "A star-studded affair for the premier of Aa Karaala Ratri". The Times of India. 2018-07-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  30. ^ "Karthik Jayaram turns scriptwriter with May 1st". The Times of India. 2017-10-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  31. ^ "I was very comfortable doing a glamorous role in Puta 109: Vaishnavi Chandran Menon". The Times of India. 2018-11-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  32. ^ "O Pushpa I Hate Tears Movie Review: Lengthy and predictable storyline". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  33. ^ *"Watch Maaligai (Hindi) Full HD Movie Online on ZEE5". ZEE5. Archived 29 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 6 January 2024. *"Jayaram Karthik to make his Kollywood debut with ‘Malligai’". The Times of India. 11 April 2019. Archived 29 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  34. ^ "JK’s IRavan gets a release date". The New Indian Express. 3 June 2023. Archived 6 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  35. ^ "'KRISHNAVATARAM - PART 1: THE HEART (HRIDAYAM)' 1ST WEEK COLLECTIONS MAY 8-14, 2026 16 May, 2026". Film Information. 2026-05-16. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  36. ^ *"Dayal Padmanabhan to start work on the Tamil remake of his award-winning film Aa Karaala Ratri this year". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2026-05-25.