
“He asked if I wanted to watch the shoot, and I said ‘yes.’ I sat next to him, and it was the first time I saw a director in action,” Karthik, now 38, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
“He then asked if I wanted to be a director one day, and I said ‘yes.’ He told me, ‘Make sure your films respect women.’ That changed my life.”
Fast forward to today, and Karthik is directing his latest film, “C 4 Cinta” – a multi-plot narrative intertwining four love stories, each exploring the complexities of relationships and the existential questions they prompt.
“The characters start to question if they’re with the right person, if it’s the right kind of love, and whether they’re heading in the right direction. The movie is about ideologies and how people interpret life,” Karthik, who now lives in Seri Kembangan, explained.
Set for nationwide release on Nov 21, the 150-minute film stars a talented ensemble cast, including Yuvaraj Krishnasamy, Pashini Sivakumar, Dishaaleny Jack, Ravin Rao, and Loga Varman Strideran.

Karthik aimed to create a “feel-good” film with “C 4 Cinta” after growing tired of the violence that saturates Tamil cinema today. “Every time I go to the cinema, there’s blood and violence. So, I thought, why not make something feel-good? A film where you can laugh and have good moments with your friends.”
This desire to craft a different kind of film reflects Karthik’s own journey.
Despite excelling as a student and earning a master’s degree in accounting to appease his family, his passion for filmmaking never waned. He worked as an audit assistant before becoming an accounting lecturer, but all the while, he devoured books on filmmaking and began creating short films.
One of his shorts, “Mudhal Naal Indru,” earned nine nominations at the BMW Shorties, cementing his decision to pursue filmmaking full-time. His other works include “Adai Mazhai Kaalam,” “Manggalyam Tanthunanena,” and “Sughamaai Subbulakshmi.”
Karthik also made waves with the popular Astro series “Kalyaanam 2 Kaathal,” which ran for two seasons. The show’s exploration of love had such an impact that some viewers decided against divorce after watching it.
“We were blessed with that kind of response. It made me think, why not make a film that’s similar – something therapeutic,” he reflected.

This focus on relationships and personal growth also mirrors Karthik’s own life. Balancing work and personal life were not always easy for him: his obsession with cinema once led to the end of a significant relationship.
Now, happily married for just over a year, Karthik is learning to balance his passion for filmmaking with his personal life.
In fact, some of his new experiences as a husband made their way into the script of “C 4 Cinta.”
“There’s one thing that wasn’t originally in the script – respecting your partner. After living with my wife for a few months, I realised that respect is more important than love. So, I included that in the film,” Karthik said.
While Karthik humbly deflects the idea of being the “hero” of his own stories, his narrative style reflects his life philosophy: every character, no matter how small, plays an integral role.
“In ‘C 4 Cinta’, there’s no clear lead actor or actress. Every character is important, and their stories are equally crucial to the bigger picture,” he said.
Just like the wide-eyed 13-year-old who stood in awe of K Balachander, Karthik is still captivated by the world of storytelling. Only now, he’s the one creating the moments that inspire others to dream.
Follow Karthik Shaamalan on Instagram.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram