Ajith KumarFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ajith Kumar

Born1 May 1971(age42)[1]Secunderabad,Andhra Pradesh, India

ResidenceChennai,Tamil Nadu, India

NationalityIndian

Other namesThala

OccupationFilm actor,promotional model,auto racing driver

Yearsactive1992present

ReligionHindu[2]

Spouse(s)Shalini Kumar(2000present)

ChildrenAnoushka

Ajith Kumar(born 1 May 1971) is an Indianfilm actorworking predominantly inTamil cinema. He has won threeFilmfare Best Actor Awards, all for films which showcased him in multiple roles. In addition to his acting, Ajith, in a sabbatical, participated in the2004 British Formula Three seasonas aFormula Tworacing driver and was ranked the third best motor car driver in India at his peak.[3][4]He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the TamilthrillerAasai(1995),[5]before going on to establish himself as a romantic hero withKadhal Kottai(1996),Aval Varuvala(1998) andKadhal Mannan(1998) being the most notable. He was later seen in method roles as inVaali(1999),Mugavaree(2000),Kandukondain Kandukondain(2000) andCitizen(2001)[6]before establishing himself as an action hero with popular films, includingAmarkalam(1999),Dheena(2001),Villain(2002),Attagasam(2004),Varalaru(2006),Billa(2007),Mankatha(2011) andArrambam(2013).Ajith remains a popular figure in the media ofTamil Nadu, making headlines for his relationships before his marriage to former actressShalini,[6]and his controversial statements in a few occasions.[7]His popularity and cultural influence have been compared to that of yesteryear actorM. G. Ramachandranby several veteran journalists.[8]Ajith was listed #61 inForbesIndia's Top 100 Celebrities for the year 2012[9]Contents[hide] 1Acting career 1.1Early career 1.219951999 1.319992002 1.420032005 1.520062008 1.62010present 2Racing career 2.1Formula BMW Asia (2003) 2.2Formula 2 (2010) 3Personal life 3.1Family 3.2Relationships 4Awards and nominations 5Filmography 6References 7External linksActing careerEarly careerAjith Kumar was born to a middle-class family inSecunderabad, a city north ofHyderabad, to aPalakkad Iyerfather and aSindhimother and was brought up inChennai, Tamil Nadu.[3]He dropped out ofAsan Memorial Senior Secondary Schoolin 1986 before completing his higher secondary.[10]He took up work as a two wheeler auto mechanic, and got himself a driver's licence to coincide with his interests, that of car / bike racing. In childhood he was fan of M.G.Ramachnadran and Rajesh Khanna. During his teens he became fan of Kamal Hasan. At 18, Ajith had to take up a job to support his career in racing. Joining as an apprentice, he rose to be a merchandiser with a garment export company, doing small-time press ads and TV commercials occasionally. He had put a lot of money into racing and would borrow tyres from his friends who used to help when the chains wore out as there was no money in racing at that time. Following an accident, several business agencies pushed him into modelling for advertisements in print media. He had to make a choice between films and racing, and as the movies were happening and generating him some money, he began concentrating on it.[10]Aged 20, Ajith was selected by Telugu FILM productions, Lakshmi Productions, to star in their film; however shooting was stalled soon after filming began, following the death of the film's director.[11]Ajith then started his film career at the age of 21 appearing in the low budgetTelugufilm,Prema Pustakamin 1992, which remains his last direct Telugu film to date. His first Tamil filmAmaravathi, directed by then newcomerSelva, was a moderate success and his voice was rendered by fellow actor,Vikram.[10]After the release, Ajith whilst training for an amateur motor race, suffered a fall, injuring his back and underwent three major surgeries resulting in a bed rest for one and a half years.[11]Following the injury in 1993, Ajith played a small role in theArvind Swamystarrer,Paasamalargal, before appearing in a supporting lead role in the family drama,Pavithra, which featured him as an ailing patient shown maternal affection fromRaadhika.[12]19951999In 1995, after a supporting role in theVijaystarrerRajavin Parvaiyile, Ajith appeared in his first major success,Aasai. The film directed byVasanthand produced byMani Ratnam, featured him in the lead role oppositeSuvalakshmi, whose brother-in-law infatuates about her. The film became a big success and established Ajith as an upcoming actor inthe Tamil film industry.[5][13]He later played the lead inKalloori Vaasalco-starringPrashanthandPooja Bhatt.[10]Ajith's second blockbuster came in the form ofNational AwardwinningKadhal Kottai, in which Ajith reunited with Agathiyan, the director of the earlier projectVaanmathi.[14]The film which told the tale of two people falling in unconditional love without seeing each other until the climax. The film paired him oppositeDevayani, withHeera Rajgopal, who Ajith fell in love during the making of the project, playing a supporting role.[15]After the success of his films in 1996, the following year saw a series of five failures,[11]the most notable beingAmitabh Bachchan's Tamil productionUllaasamwithMaheswari, in which he was paid a salary of Rs. 2 million for the first time.[10]Ajith returned in 1998 with another successful project inSaran'sKadhal Mannan, with the "masala film" setting the foundations for an expanding fan base.[10]He also rejected roles inVasanth'sNerukku Ner, which was later played by actorsVijayandSuriya.[16]Following filmsAval VaruvalaandUnnidathil Ennai Koduthenalso became successes, with the latter featuring Ajith in a praised guest role. Except forUyirodu Uyiragawhich flopped his other 3 films released in 1998 and 6 in 1999 were box-office hits.Ramesh Khanna'sThodarum,Sundar C's romantic dramaUnnaithedioppositeMalavikaset the tone for a series of big successes.19992002S. J. Suryaah's thriller,Vaali, which portrayed him in dual roles oppositeSimran, became one of his biggest hits following its release.[11]The film told the story of a deaf and mute brother setting his eyes on his younger brother's wife, with Ajith's portrayal of the two brothers winning him his first of manyawards for Filmfare's Best Actor.[17]Furthermore Ajith's portrayal of the brothers was also praised, with critics claiming that the film was an"instant classic" with Ajith showing that he is a "talented actor".[18]The two following supporting roles in the drama filmsAnandha PoongatreandNee Varuvai Enaalso brought Ajith plaudits for his portrayals. His final film before the new millennium was another blockbuster,Amarkalamdirected by Saran and featuringShalini, whom he married shortly after the film.Amarkalamtold the story of a negelected child who grew up and fails to show feelings of love or affection, becoming a gangster in the process, with Ajith's depiction of his rogue character appreciated by critics.[19]His next,Mugavaree, won him commercial and critical praise.[20]The film revolved around the life of a struggling music composer who faces sacrifices to proceed in his career. The film featured dual endings, one with Ajith succeeding in his career, the other with Ajith dejected. Ajith's performance was yet again praised with critics fromRediff, claiming that "Ajith is the real winner", drawing an allusion with the film's script, whilst adding that "it is amazing to see how Ajith has grown as an actor. He brilliantly portrays the vulnerable and sad Sridhar".[21]He also appeared inA. R. Rahman's 2000 musicalKandukondain Kandukondaindirected byRajiv Menon. The blockbuster featured Ajith alongside prominent actorsMammootyandAbbasand actressesAishwarya Rai,TabuandSrividya.[22]In a similar role to his previous film, Ajith played a struggling film director facing an oscillating relationship with Tabu, with the pair being unanimously praised for their roles.[23][24]After giving 6 straight hits in 1999 and having had Mugavaree and Kandukondain Kandukondain in 2000 as success, Aith had a flopUnnai Kodu Ennai Tharuvenco-starring Simran.[19][25]In 2001, Ajith appeared in 3 commercially successful Tamil films.Dheena,A. R. Murugadoss's debut film co-starringLaila MehdinandSuresh Gopi, indirectly marked the beginning of a new image of Ajith, that of an action hero that would appeal to the masses.[26]Furthermore from the successful film, Ajith's nickname in the film,Thala, Tamil for Leader, became a new identity for the actor amongst his fans.[27]In the same year, he was offered a role inNandha, which he rejected.[28]His next was the much-hyped thriller,Citizen, portraying Ajith in ten different get-ups and it became an above average success at the box office, despite being labelled a disappointment from critics.[29]A role in the family drama,Poovellam Un Vasamfollowed oppositeJyothikaand was a success commercially and critically earning aSpecial Best Actor Award from the Tamil Nadu State.[30]The year ended off with an appearance inSantosh Sivan's Hindi project,Asoka, in which Ajith appeared in a brief negative role alongsideShah Rukh Khan, which flopped.[31]2002 saw Ajith appear in three films, the first two;Red[32]andRaja[33]being box office disappointments, the former further building up his image as an action hero. The third film,Villain, in which Ajith appeared in dual roles, one as a mentally ill handicap, became a blockbuster and in return earning Ajith his secondFilmfare Best Tamil Actor Award.[34][35]20032005The following years, from 2003 till 2005, saw Ajith appear in fewer films due to his career in motor racing becoming more prominent.[36]2003 saw the release of his long-delayedEnnai Thalatta Varuvalaand the police dramaAnjaneya, both failing commercially. In that period, four blockbuster films, namelySaamy,Kaakha KaakhaandGhajini, were turned away by the actor due to various reasons.[28][37]His next film,JanawithSneha, also became a big failure, with the Saran film,Attagasam, being his only hit in the period.[38]The film, saw Ajith portray dual roles, with a song, "Thala Deepavali", penned to promote his action image. In 2005, the failure of theLinguswamyfilmJi, despite garnering positive reviews and taking a strong opening, saw Ajith take a sabbatical from acting to re-work his image.[39][40]Of the five films released between 2003 and 2005, his only box-office hit wasAttagasam.20062008During 2006, Ajith returned from his hiatus by appearing inP. Vasu'sParamasivanfor which he had lost twenty kilograms to portray the lead role.[41]The film enjoyed a moderate success, scoring over Vijay'sAadhi, which also released in the same week, at the box-office.[42]Critics fromThe Hindustated Ajith looked "trim and taut" in the film with "only his eyes seeming to have lost some of its sparkle", following the major weight loss.[43]Furthermore, forParamasivanand his two other projects in 2006, Ajith sported long hair, which was being grown forBala's project,Naan Kadavul, which Ajith eventually opted out of.[44]Similarly his next,AVM Productions's,Thirupathidirected byPerarasuperformed above average business at the box-office, despite garnering poor reviews, withRediffcritics citing that the film is "anything but sensible" but that Ajith "salvages the situation with a spirited performance".[45]Ajith summed up a successful comeback by the release of his long-delayed film,Varalaruwhich went on to become his biggest success til date. TheK. S. Ravikumarfilm co-starringAsin, portrayed Ajith in three roles, including that of a classical dancer, with his portrayals being critically praised.[46][47]Moreover, the film fetched Ajith his third Filmfare Best Actor Award, on its way to becoming a blockbuster.[48]In 2007, media reports hinted that the actor would do a project withShankar.[49]Ajith's first release in 2007,Aalwarbecame a debacle at the box-office, with his previous film still continuing to run in theatres even afterAalwarhad stopped its brief theatrical run.[50]Kireedam, a remake of the 1989National AwardwinningMalayalam filmof the same name was released to positive reviews, with the film also becoming a moderate success.[51]During the shoot of the film, Ajith developed a further spinal injury, a recurrence of his problem earlier in his career.[52]Ajith then starred inBilla, a remake of the 1980Rajinikanthstarrerof the same name, which became a blockbuster, theVishnuvardhandirectorial fetched critical praise for Ajith, becoming a trend-setter for stylish art direction and cinematography in India.[53]Billa, yet again, featured Ajith in dual roles one of a notorious don whilst the other played an innocent person who had to act as the don, following the former's death. AfterBilla, Ajith appeared in the filmAyngaran InternationalproductionAegan, directed by the choreographer turned directorRaju Sundaram. The film, a remake of the 2004HindicomedyMain Hoon Na, failed at the box office.[54]2010presentFollowing a year's worth of production, Ajith'sAasalreleased in February 2010, taking a grand opening at the box office. The film, which also featured Ajith in dual roles, also failed at the box office despite its bigger expectations.[55]After a second foray into motor racing, Ajith signed up to star in a film directed byVenkat Prabhu, titledMankatha, which notably became his 50th project.[56]The film featured him in a full-length negative role as Vinayak Mahadevan, a suspended police officer who lusts after money. His performance and his decision to portray a character with negative shades, breaking the stereotype hero image in Tamil cinema,[57][58]were lauded by critics, with reviewers fromSifyandRediffterming the film as an "out and out Ajith film" that worked "only because of Ajith".[59][60]Heaping praise on the actor's performance, the former noted that he "rocks as the man with ice in his veins as the mean and diabolic cop" and that he played "the emotionless bad man, to perfection",[59]while the latter wrote that he had "carried practically the whole film on his capable shoulders".[60]Mankathabrought Ajith Kumar his best ever opening in his career and went on to become a financially successful venture as well.[57]Ajith then starred inBilla II, aprequelto his 2007 blockbusterBilla, which released on 13 July 2012 to mixed reviews with critics praising Ajith's screen presence and stunts, film's cinematography, pace and style while criticizing the climax to be poor and blaming the director.[61][62][63][64][65]However it had a wonderful opening and was declared a commercial success.[66][67][68]He has starred inVishnuvardhan'sArrambamalongsideArya,Nayantaraand the film released on October 31 to very high positive reviews from both critics and audience.[69]The movie collected a heavy sum of100crore(US$15million) worldwide in just 10 days.[70]His next film postArrambamis directorSiva'sVeeram, which is scheduled to release inPongal2014.[71]Racing career

Ajith Kumar competing in the final round of theMRFracing series (2010) in ChennaiAjith is a keenrace car driverand has driven in circuits around India in places such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. Ajith is one among very few Indians to race in International arena and only Indian actor to compete in Formula championships. He has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and Malaysia. He drove in the 2003 Formula Asia BMW Championships.[72]He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians,Armaan EbrahimandParthiva Sureshwaren.[73]Formula BMW Asia (2003)After a one-off race during theFormula MarutiIndian Championships in 2002, where he finished in fourth place, Ajith signed a contract with manager Akbar Ebrahim confirming his participation in the inauguralFormula BMW AsiaChampionship. Despite spinning out in the first lap of his first race, Ajith successfully completed the season by finishing seventh in the season.Formula 2 (2010)After a six-year sabbatical, Ajith signed up for his third season of car racing by participating in the2010 seasonof theFIA Formula Two Championship.[74]The decision to be involved in the sport was made after Ajith's film directed byGautham Menonwas delayed, allowing Ajith to participate for the whole season.[75]Prior to signing up, Ajith competed in the final round of the MRF racing series inChennaiin February 2010, but failed to finish the race due to mechanical problems. Further trials inSepang, Malaysia followed suit as he practised for the season's beginning in April 2010 in his Formula Renault V6 car with Eurasian Racing, shedding 11 kilograms during training.[76]Personal lifeFamilyAjith Kumar was born on 1 May 1971 to aPalakkad IyerIyer named P. Subramaniam and his wife Mohini, of Sindhi origin fromKolkata, West Bengal.[3][77]Ajith later created the non-profit organisation "Mohini-Mani Foundation", named after his parents, in order to promote self-hygiene and civic consciousness and to help ease the problems of urban sprawl.[78]Ajith Kumar was the middle son out of three brothers, the others being Anoop Kumar, astockbrokerin New York and Anil Kumar, anIIT Madrasgraduate working inSeattle.[79]Moreover, Ajith had younger twin sisters, both of whom died young.[3]Through his marriage to actressShalini, Ajith became brother-in-law to actor,Richard Rishi, and actressShamili, who appeared as his sister-in-law inRajiv Menon'sKandukondain Kandukondain.RelationshipsIn 1999, during the shoot ofSaran'sAmarkalam, Ajith began to date his co-starShalini. At that time, their involvement made him a regular subject oftabloidgossip, a role to which he was accustomed following his previous relationship. Ajith proposed to Shalini in June 1999, and following consultations with her family, she agreed.[6]They were married in April 2000 in Chennai in a grand ceremony. As both were of different religions, Ajith being a Hindu Brahmin and Shalini being Protestant Christian, they were married together under the customs of both religions. After their marriage, Shalini retired as an actress and became a full-time housewife, following the completion of two unfinished projects.[80]On 3 January 2008, their daughter, Anoushka, was born in Chennai.[81]Awards and nominationsAjith Kumar awards and nominations

[hide]Awards and nominations

AwardWinsNominations

Filmfare Awards South35

Vijay Awards37

Others58

Totals

Awards won11

Nominations20

YearNominated forAwardResult

1999VaaliFilmfare Award for Best Actor TamilWon

Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - TamilWon

2001CitizenCinema Express Award for Best Actor - TamilWon

Poovellam Un VasamTamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best ActorWon

AsokaZee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative RoleNominated

2002VillainFilmfare Award for Best Actor TamilWon

2006VaralaruFilmfare Award for Best Actor TamilWon

Vijay Award for Favourite HeroWon

Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary MGR AwardWon

2007BillaVijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated

Filmfare Award for Best Actor TamilNominated

2008AeganVijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated

2010AasalVijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated

2011MankathaVijay Award for Best VillainWon

Vijay Award for Favourite HeroWon

Chennai Times Award for Best ActorWon

Filmfare Award for Best Actor TamilNominated

SIIMA Award for Best ActorNominated

SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative RoleNominated

2012Billa IIVijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated

FilmographyYearFilmRoleNotes

1990En Veedu En KanavarUncredited Role

1993AmaravathiArjun

1993Prema PustakamSiddharthTelugufilm

1994PaasamalargalKumar

1994PavithraAshok

1995Rajavin ParvaiyileChandru

1995AasaiJeevanantham

1996VaanmathiKrishna

1996Kalloori VaasalVasanth

1996Minor MappillaiRamu

1996Kadhal KottaiSurya

1997NesamNathan

1997RaasiKumar

1997UllaasamGuru

1997PagaivanPrabhu

1997Rettai Jadai VayasuVijay

1998Kadhal MannanShiva

1998Aval VaruvalaJeeva

1998Unnidathil Ennai KoduthenSanjayGuest appearance

1998Uyirodu UyiragaAjay

1999ThodarumAnand

1999Unnai ThediRaghu

1999VaaliShiva,DhevaFilmfare Award for Best Actor Tamil

1999Anantha PoongatreJeeva

1999Nee Varuvai EnaSubramani

1999AmarkalamVasu

2000MugavareeSridhar

2000Kandukondain KandukondainManohar

2000Unnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenSurya

2001DheenaDheenadhayalan

2001CitizenArivanandham (Anthony/Abdullah),Subramani

2001Poovellam Un VasamChinnasamyTamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best ActorNominatedFilmfare Award for Best Actor Tamil

2001AsokaSuseemaHindifilmNominated Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative RoleDubbed into Tamil asSamrat Asoka

2002RedRed

2002RajaRaja

2002VillainShiva,VishnuFilmfare Award for Best Actor Tamil

2003Ennai Thalatta VaruvalaSatish

2003AnjaneyaParamaguru

2004JanaJanardhanan

2004AttagasamGuru,Jeeva

2005JiVasu

2006ParamasivanSubramaniyam Siva (Paramasivan)

2006ThirupathiThirupathi

2006VaralaruShivshankar,Vishnu,JeevaFilmfare Award for Best Actor TamilVijay Award for Favourite Hero

2007AalwarAalwar (Shiva)

2007KireedamSakthivel Rajarajan

2007BillaDavid Billa,SaravanaveluNominated Filmfare Award for Best Actor TamilNominated Vijay Award for Favourite Hero

2008AeganShivaNominated Vijay Award for Favourite Hero

2010AasalShiva,JeevanandhamAlso screenwriterNominated Vijay Award for Favourite Hero

2011MankathaVinayak MahadevanVijay Award for Favourite HeroVijay Award for Best VillainChennai Times Award for Best ActorNominated Filmfare Award for Best Actor Tamil

2012Billa IIDavid BillaNominated Vijay Award for Favourite Hero

2012English VinglishAjithCameo appearance

2013ArrambamAshok Kumar (AK)

2014VeeramFilming