Thala’ Ajith - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

‘Thala’ Ajith is celebrating his birthday today on May 1st and film fans feel proud of him. Ajith is consummate in his thoughts and actions even now after spending twenty years in Kollywood and completing 50 films. Even though he was launched via a Telugu film, the way Ajith blended with the mass of Tami Nadu is emotive.

Ajith’s debut film ‘Prema Pustakam’ was his first and last non-Tamil film. But for another cameo in the SRK starrer Hindi film ‘Ashoka’, Ajith spent all his energy and resources in entertaining the Tamil audience who are close to his heart.

Ajith success story is good for the records book. Probably he is the only ultimate star who made it big with sheer hard work and dedication. He never had any God Fathers to back him. If you notice most of the big stars of today, except Ajith, all others would have had a powerful or influential patron to help them in their early career days. Ajith got his first film ‘Amaravathi’ on merit. Even after that he was content with making slow progress by doing supportive roles and other important roles, there by learning.

If you look back in time, you will be surprised to know Ajith played a second hero to Vijay in ‘Rajavin Parvaiyile’ and to Prashanth in ‘Kalloori Vaasal’. All these made Ajith to be more determined and wait for his day. The day came in director Vasanth who showed a different Ajith in ‘Aasai’. Then came ‘Kadhal Kottai’ and Ajith rocketed never to look back.

Ajith is neither a chocolate romantic nor an annoyed angry young man. He is a fine blend of both which is a unique feature Ajith developed on his own. You will not be able to see this in any other star of his time. They are either romantic or action oriented. So Ajith is best of both.

If there is a ‘Kadhal Kottai’ revealing one side, then there will be a ‘Ullasam’ on a different level. If there is a multifaceted ‘Citizen’ then there will be a versatile ‘Villain’. Ajith’s conscious nurturing of his image or for that matter no-image was well received not just by his fans and other movie goers, but also high profile studios.

Once he got a stature, Ajith is even more careful with his life in films. This refinement has made him a favourite actor. When Amitabh Bachchan wanted to produce a Tamil film he produced ‘Ullasam’ with Ajith. When the Ambani’s Adlabs wanted to enter Tamil cinema market, it produced ‘Kireedam’ with Ajith. When the legendary ‘Billa’ starring Rajini was remade, it was Ajith was the hero of the first remake of the Super Star film. When the international banner Ayngaran wanted to be the direct producer of a Tamil film for the first time, it produced ‘Aegan’ with Ajith. Sivaji Films which gave the biggest blockbuster ‘Chandramuki’ with Rajinikanth, thought Ajith is next to him and produced ‘Aasal’.

The power of Ajith can be gauged from the fact that success and failures have not affected him any time. In 2006, ‘Varalaru’ was the highest grosser at the box office that year and Ajith did not sign films spree. When his ‘Aasal’ did not do expected business he did not sulk and he is returning with a killer of a film ‘Mankatha’.

20 years and 50 films is an achievement on any scale. That too not going out of fashion all these years is a glory. The days are going to be only better for Ajith. Ajith has announced that he will be dissolving his fan club and this matured and intelligent decision couldn’t have come at a better time. No one can claim Ajith is their exclusive in the name of a Ajith fan.

Staring May 1 this year Ajith officially belongs to all Tamil film fans of all creeds. Ajith knows the implications. His upcoming movies ‘Mankatha’ and ‘Billa-2’ will answer all apprehensions.

Thala pola Varuma! Happy Birthday Thala.