Srikanth (Tamil actor, born 1979)

Looking to step into an acting career after beginning as a model, Srikanth was coached acting skills by then-assistant directors such as Vetrimaaran and Mysskin in the early 2000s.[10] Srikanth was selected to play the lead role in Kathir's Kadhal Virus (2002) and spent a year preparing for the film, before being replaced by fellow newcomer Richard. He was then considered to make his acting debut through Jeeva's 12B, but the role went to another newcomer Shaam.[10] Further potential projects directed by Bharathiraja and K. Balachander also did not work out, before he was cast by Sasi in Roja Kootam (2002), after the original lead actor had opted out.[11]

Srikanth then featured in another successful venture April Madhathil (2002) alongside Sneha followed by Manasellam (2003). He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role in Parthiban Kanavu (2003), directed by Karu Pazhaniappan. Srikanth's straight Telugu film is 2003's Okariki Okaru. Srikanth released his film under the name Sriram, to avoid confusion with another Tollywood actor, Meka Srikanth. His first release of 2004 was Varnajalam, followed by Bose, in which he was paired with Sneha for the second time after April Maadhathil. Kana Kandaen (2005) directed by K. V. Anand, with the Malayalam actor Prithviraj in his first Tamil role. Srikanth and Prithviraj gave a good performance also.[12][13] The film was followed by Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005) and Bambara Kannaley (2005). In 2006, he acted in the film Mercury Pookkal,[14] and Uyir. Behindwoods wrote: "Sri has come up with an excellent performance of a man lost in this juggernaut of emotions."[15] TSV Hari at Rediff.com responded negatively to Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai, noting a thin script and "meaningless songs".[16] This was the third film and last collaboration between the director S. S. Stanley and Srikanth after April Maadhathil and Mercury Pookkal. His next film was Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, a Telugu film directed by Tamil director Selvaraghavan. Srikanth play the second lead role after Telugu actor Venkatesh Daggubati. This was followed by Vallamai Tharayo (2008), Poo (2008) and Indira Vizha (2009).

Srikanth with actors Jiiva and Vijay on the set for Nanban in 2012

In 2010, Srikanth released Rasikkum Seemane, Police Police and Drohi. Srikanth co-starring with the new Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal in this film.[17] Mandhira Punnagai was last released in guest appearance. In 2011, he began in Malayalam film Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action,[18] a Telugu film, Dhada and Sadhurangam.[19] The film was completed in 2006 but the film remained unreleased for five years. The project was released on 7 October 2011. These three movies was a box office failure. In 2012, he was first seen in S. Shankar's comedy-drama Nanban, which featured him as part of an all-star cast including Vijay, Jiiva, Ileana D'Cruz and Sathyaraj. The movie is released to highly positive reviews. He also started in Telugu film Nippu (2011), a Malayalam film Hero (2012) and comedy film Paagan (2012). In 2013, he acted in Buddy and Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (2014) as guest appearance directed by R. Parthiepan.

In 2015, he played in the supernatural drama film Om Shanthi Om. The following year, he acted in the horror film Sowkarpettai (2016) and comedy Nambiyaar (2016). In 2017, Srikanth appeared in the Telugu action thriller Lie. His next movie was Rocky: The Revenge (2019), a Tamil action crime thriller directed by the veteran Bollywood producer and director K. C. Bokadia who enters the Kollywood industry.[20] It is based on his 1985 Hindi film, Teri Meherbaniyan.[21] Srikanth didn't get a big role to showcase his talent.[22] The film started off with a poor opening due to a lack of publicity and below average content.[23] Rocky: The Revenge ends with a verdict of disappointment at the box office.[24] He also appeared in the Telegu movie Raagala 24 Gantallo (2019), where he played the cop.[25]