KUALA LUMPUR — Karthik Sivakumar, best known as Karthi, took the world by storm with his stellar performance as Dilli in the hit 2019 Tamil film Kaithi, which became a massive phenomenon in India following its release.
Last night, at the Gala Premiere of Banduan — the Malaysian remake of Kaithi — held at TGV Suria KLCC, the star attended the screening and took to the stage alongside the film’s distinguished Malaysian cast.
After watching the adaptation, Karthi expressed his admiration for the film and praised the entire Banduan team for their exceptional effort in bringing this version to life.
“I’m happy to be here, and I’m overwhelmed after watching the film, which came out so beautifully,” he said.“The director captured every moment so well.“When I was watching the film, it felt fresh — all the emotions worked beautifully, and the action was executed perfectly.“I was sitting right next to Aaron (who plays the lead role of Dali in the Malaysian adaptation) and kept tapping him every time I saw a great performance.
“I could see the earnestness in capturing the essence of the original as much as possible — the music, the editing, everything was top-notch,” he added.
Karthi also expressed his gratitude for the love and respect he received from the entire Banduan cast and crew, noting that their warmth reflected their genuine kindness.
“I just hope this collaboration continues.
“I feel this is history in the making because two cultures are coming together.
“Films are what bring everyone together — we are all equal and we share the same emotions.
“I think that’s a beautiful thing, a wonderful beginning, and I truly hope it continues,” he concluded.
The Tamil movie star arrived in Malaysia two days before the Gala Premiere of Banduan, where he was personally greeted by Datuk Aaron Aziz himself.
A photo of the two together quickly circulated on social media, thrilling fans.
Many fans also gathered yesterday at the Gala Premiere to show their love and support for the actor, which Karthi warmly reciprocated with kindness and gratitude.
