Karthi's "Kaatru Veliyidai", was directed and produced by Mani Ratnam. The film met with mixed reviews and became a failure. Karthi's "Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru" was directed by H. Vinoth and produced by Dream Warrior Pictures. It received critical acclaim and Karthi received a "Filmfare Award South" for the "Best Actor - Critics" for his performance. The film became a huge success at the box office. Right after "Theeran" Karthi acted in "Kadaikutty Singam" portrayed the role of a farmer directed by Pandiraj which has been produced by this brother Suriya which has gained the highest footfalls in the year 2018 in Tamil Nadu. Karthi's next film was "Dev" produced by Prince Pictures, directed by debutante director Rajath Ravishankar, music composed by Harris Jayaraj and R.Velraj handles the camera. The film received negative reviews from critics and eventually became a commercial failure. His release in the same year Kaithi was a blockbuster hit.