Closely associated with director Gautham Vasudev Menon, Karthik has worked previously as Menon's assistant in the films Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007) and Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), before making a breakthrough as an actor through the director's experimental thriller Nadunisi Naaygal (2011).
[1][2] Karthik was born to a Mohan Reddy, who hails from Tirupati, and Suryakala Yalamanchili, who belongs to Telugu speaking community in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
The film, set in the backdrop of Chennai's IT industry, began its shoot in mid-2007 with Trisha leading an ensemble cast but was later delayed and then eventually shelved.
[6][7] Karthik then continued his work with Menon as an assistant director, and featured in the supporting role of Mahesh, Suriya's friend in Vaaranam Aayiram (2008).
He subsequently opted against continuing in Menon's team for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), but was approached to act in the director's experimental film Nadunisi Naaygal (2011) alongside Veera and Sameera Reddy.