Sivakarthikeyan says wife Aarthi's words stopped him from quitting acting three years ago: 'After Ajith sir and Vikram sir, no outsider has made it big in this industry'

Actor Sivakarthikeyan was last seen in Rajkumar Periasamy’s 'Amaran', and he has signed a number of films with renowned directors such as AR Murugadoss and Venkat Prabhu. Entering the world of cinema without any background in films, Sivakarthikeyan began his career by hosting TV shows and initially took on supporting roles. The actor recently revealed that he had considered quitting acting three years ago, but his wife Aarthi's words inspired him to continue.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Sivakarthikeyan shared that he has no complaints about the industry itself, though he admitted to having issues with certain individuals. Despite these challenges, he remains passionate and is determined to continue his acting journey. He expressed that he never wants his struggles to affect his family, as he aims for them to lead normal, regular lives. Sivakarthikeyan stated that there is no point in burdening his wife, in-laws, and children with his pressures and financial struggles. He resolved to live for them and explore ways to overcome hurdles. As an MBA graduate, he decided to figure out how to navigate through these challenges.
The actor revealed that his wife Aarthi's encouragement played a pivotal role in his decision to stay in the industry. "She told me, ‘You didn’t have anything, and you’ve come so far. In the last 20 years, after Ajith [Kumar] sir and [Chiyaan] Vikram sir, no outsider has made it big in this industry, and you’ve achieved that. It’s not an easy feat. Don’t leave this.’ She said that since they are enjoying the benefits of my stardom, they can manage the negative aspects too,” he added.
Sivakarthikeyan also discussed the hostility and challenges he has faced during his rise in the film industry. The 'Ayalaan' actor revealed that while some welcomed his journey from a "common man" to a successful actor, others were openly critical, questioning his place in the industry and confronting him with remarks such as, “Who are you in this industry?” Despite enduring significant hardships, particularly over the past five years, Sivakarthikeyan chose to maintain grace and move forward without confrontation. He emphasised that his success is not meant as a rebuttal to critics but as a celebration of the hardworking film teams he has collaborated with, his devoted fans, and those inspired by his story.
On the work front, SK's previous outing was the biopic film 'Amaran' which was directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. The movie also featured Sai Pallavi in one of the lead roles and the story revolved around Major Mukund Varadarajan who was a commissioned officer in the Indian Army's Rajput Regiment. The film received good reviews and turned out to be a superhit.