ABOUT OUR THALA 1971 TO 2014 ->-> Ajith Kumar Subramani 1 May 1971(age 43) [ 1 ] Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India Residence Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India NationalityIndian Other namesThala OccupationFilm actor, promotional model, Racing driver, Philanthropist Years active1992–present Religion Hindu [ 2 ] Spouse(s) Shalini Kumar(2000–present) ChildrenAnoushka Ajith Kumar(born 1 May 1971) is an Indian film actor working predominantly in Tamil cinema. He has won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards, all for films which showcased him in multiple roles. In addition to his acting, Ajith, in a sabbatical, participated in the 2004 British Formula Three seasonas a Formula 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 Tamil thriller Aasai(1995), [ 5 ]before going on to establish himself as a romantic hero with Kadhal Kottai(1996), Aval Varuvala(1998) and Kadhal Mannan(1998) being the most notable. He was later seen in method roles as in Vaali(1999), Mugavaree(2000), Kandukondain Kandukondain(2000) and Citizen(2001) [ 6 ]before establishing himself as an action hero with popular films, including Amarkalam(1999), Dheena(2001), Villain(2002), Attagasam(2004), Varalaru(2006), Billa(2007), Mankatha(2011), Arrambam(2013) and Veeram(2014). Ajith remains a popular figure in the media of Tamil Nadu, making headlines for his relationships before his marriage to former actress Shalini, [ 6 ]and his controversial statements in a few occasions. [ 7 ]His popularity and cultural influence have been compared to that of yesteryear actor M. G. Ramachandranby several veteran journalists. [ 8 ]Ajith was listed No. 61 in ForbesIndias Top 100 Celebrities for the year 2012 [ 9 ] Acting career Early career Ajith Kumar was born to a middle-class family in Secunderabad, a city north of Hyderabad, to a Palakkad Iyerfather and a Sindhimother and was brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. [ 3 ]He dropped out of Asan 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 drivers license to coincide with his interests, that of car and 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 films were happening and generating him some money, he began concentrating on it. [ 10 ]He debuted in En Veedu En Kanavar(1990) in a minor role as a school student. [ 11 ] 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 films director. [ 12 ]Ajith then started his film career at the age of 21 appearing in the low budget Telugufilm, Prema Pustakamin 1992, which remains his last direct Telugu film to date. His first Tamil film Amaravathi, directed by then newcomer Selva, 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. [ 12 ]Following the injury in 1993, Ajith played a small role in the Arvind Swamystarrer, Paasamalargal, before appearing in a supporting lead role in the family drama, Pavithra, which featured him as an ailing patient shown maternal affection from Raadhika. [ 13 ] 1995–1999 In 1995, after a supporting role in the Vijaystarrer Rajavin Parvaiyile, Ajith appeared in his first major success, Aasai. The film directed by Vasanthand produced by Mani Ratnam, featured him in the lead role opposite Suvalakshmi, whose brother-in-law infatuates about her. The film became a big success and established Ajith as an upcoming actor in the Tamil film industry. [ 5 ] [ 14 ]He later played the lead in Kalloori Vaasalco-starring Prashanthand Pooja Bhatt. [ 10 ]Ajiths second blockbuster came in the form of National Awardwinning Kadhal Kottai, in which Ajith reunited with Agathiyan, the director of the earlier projectVaanmathi. [ 15 ]The film which told the tale of two people falling in unconditional love without seeing each other until the climax. The film paired him opposite Devayani, with Heera Rajgopal, who Ajith fell in love during the making of the project, playing a supporting role. [ 6 ] After the success of his films in 1996, the following year saw a series of five failures, [ 12 ]the most notable being Amitabh Bachchans Tamil production Ullaasamwith Maheswari, in which he was paid a salary of Rs. 2 million for the first time. [ 10 ]Ajith returned in 1998 with another successful project in Sarans Kadhal Mannan, with the masala film setting the foundations for an expanding fan base. [ 10 ]He also began acting in Vasanths Nerukku Ner, and was later replaced by Suriyaco-starring Vijay. [ 16 ]Following films Aval Varuvalaand Unnidathil Ennai Koduthenalso became successes, with the latter featuring Ajith in a guest role. Except for Uyirodu Uyiragawhich flopped, his other 3 films released in 1998 and 6 in 1999 were box-office hits. Ramesh Khannas Thodarum, Sundar Cs romantic drama Unnaithediopposite Malavikaset the tone for a series of big successes. 1999–2002 S. J. Suryaahs thriller, Vaali, which portrayed him in dual roles for the first time opposite Simran, became one of his biggest hits following its release. [ 12 ]The film told the story of a deaf and mute brother setting his eyes on his younger brothers wife, with Ajiths portrayal of the two brothers winning him his first of many awards for Filmfares Best Actor. [ 17 ]Furthermore Ajiths portrayal of the brothers was also praised, with critics claiming that the film was aninstant classic with Ajith showing that he is a talented actor. [ 18 ]The two following supporting roles in the drama films Anandha Poongatreand Nee Varuvai Enaalso brought Ajith plaudits for his portrayals. His final film before the new millennium was another blockbuster, Amarkalamdirected by Saran and featuring Shalini, 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 Ajiths 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. Ajiths performance was yet again praised with critics from Rediff, claiming that Ajith is the real winner, drawing an allusion with the films 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 in A. R. Rahmans 2000 musical Kandukondain Kandukondaindirected by Rajiv Menon. The blockbuster featured Ajith alongside prominent actors Mammootyand Abbasand actresses Aishwarya Rai, Tabuand Srividya. [ 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 flop Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuvenco-starring Simran. [ 19 ] [ 25 ] In 2001, Ajith appeared in 3 commercially successful Tamil films. Dheena, A. R. Murugadosss debut film co-starring Laila Mehdinand Suresh 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, Ajiths 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 in Nandha, 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 opposite Jyothikaand was a success commercially and critically earning a Special Best Actor Award from the Tamil Nadu State. [ 30 ]The year ended off with an appearance in Santosh Sivans Hindi project, Asoka, in which Ajith appeared in a brief negative role alongside Shah Rukh Khan, which flopped. [ 31 ]2002 saw Ajith appear in three films, the first two; Red [ 32 ]and Raja [ 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 second Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. [ 34 ] [ 35 ] 2003–2005 The 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-delayed Ennai Thalatta Varuvalaand the police drama Anjaneya, both failing commercially. In that period, four blockbuster films, namely Saamy, Kaakha Kaakhaand Ghajini, were turned away by the actor due to various reasons. [ 28 ] [ 37 ] His next film, Janawith Sneha, 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 the Linguswamyfilm Ji, 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. 2006–2008 During 2006, Ajith returned from his hiatus by appearing in P. Vasus Paramasivanfor which he had lost twenty kilograms to portray the lead role. [ 41 ]The film enjoyed a moderate success, scoring over Vijays Aadhi, which also released in the same week, at the box-office. [ 42 ]Critics from The 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 for Balas project, Naan Kadavul, which Ajith eventually opted out of. [ 44 ]Similarly his next, AVM Productionss, Thirupathidirected by Perarasuperformed above average business at the box-office, despite garnering poor reviews, with Rediffcritics 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. The K. S. Ravikumarfilm co-starring Asin, 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 with Shankar. [ 49 ]Ajiths 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 1989 National Awardwinning Malayalam 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 in Billa, a remake of the 1980 Rajinikanthstarrer of the same name, which became a blockbuster, the Vishnuvardhandirectorial 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 formers death. AfterBilla, Ajith appeared in the film Ayngaran Internationalproduction Aegan, directed by the choreographer turned director Raju Sundaram. The film, a remake of the 2004 Hindicomedy Main Hoon Na, failed at the box office. [ 54 ] 2010–present Following a years worth of production, Ajiths Aasalreleased 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 by Venkat Prabhu, titled Mankatha, 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 from Sifyand Rediffterming the film as an out and out Ajith film that worked only because of Ajith. [ 59 ] [ 60 ]Heaping praise on the actors 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 in Billa II, a prequel to his 2007 blockbuster Billa, which released on 13 July 2012 to mixed reviews with critics praising Ajiths screen presence and stunts, films 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 in Vishnuvardhans Arrambamalongside Arya, Nayantaraand the film released on 31 October to very high positive reviews from both critics and audience. [ 69 ]The movie collected a heavy sum of1 billion(US$17 million) worldwide in just 10 days. [ 70 ]His next film postArrambamis director Sivas Veeram, which is scheduled to release in Pongal2014. [ 71 ] Moreover, Ajith had younger twin sisters, both of whom died young. [ 3 ]Through his marriage to actress Shalini, Ajith became brother-in-law to actor, Richard Rishi, and actress Shamili, who appeared as his sister-in-law in Rajiv Menons Kandukondain Kandukondain. Relationships In 1999, during the shoot of Sarans Amarkalam, Ajith began to date his co-star Shalini. At that time, their involvement made him a regular subject of tabloidgossip, 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 nominations Ajith Kumar awards and nominations Awards and nominations AwardWinsNominations Filmfare Awards South35 Vijay Awards37 Others58 Totals Awards won11 Nominations20 YearNominated forAwardResult 1999 Vaali Filmfare Award for Best Actor – TamilWon Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - TamilWon 2000— Kalaimamani [ 82 ]Won 2001 Citizen Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - TamilWon Poovellam Un Vasam Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best ActorWon Asoka Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative RoleNominated 2002 Villain Filmfare Award for Best Actor – TamilWon 2006 Varalaru Filmfare Award for Best Actor – TamilWon Vijay Award for Favourite HeroWon Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary MGR AwardWon 2007 Billa Vijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated Filmfare Award for Best Actor – TamilNominated 2008 Aegan Vijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated 2010 Aasal Vijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated 2011 Mankatha Vijay 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 2012 Billa II Vijay Award for Favourite HeroNominated Filmography Key Denotes films that have not yet been released YearFilmRoleNotes 1990 En Veedu En KanavarSchool student 1993 AmaravathiArjun 1993 Prema PustakamSiddharth Telugufilm 1994 PaasamalargalKumar 1994 PavithraAshok 1995 Rajavin ParvaiyileChandru 1995 AasaiJeevanantham 1996 VaanmathiKrishna 1996 Kalloori VaasalVasanth 1996 Minor MappillaiRamu 1996 Kadhal KottaiSurya 1997 NesamNathan 1997 RaasiKumar 1997 UllaasamGuru 1997 PagaivanPrabhu 1997 Rettai Jadai VayasuVijay 1998 Kadhal MannanShiva 1998 Aval VaruvalaJeeva 1998 Unnidathil Ennai KoduthenSanjayGuest appearance 1998 Uyirodu UyiragaAjay 1999 ThodarumAnand 1999 Unnai ThediRaghu 1999 VaaliShiva, Dheva Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil 1999 Anantha PoongatreJeeva 1999 Nee Varuvai EnaSubramani 1999 AmarkalamVasu 2000 MugavareeSridhar 2000 Kandukondain KandukondainManohar 2000 Unnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenSurya 2001 DheenaDheenadhayalan 2001 CitizenArivanandham (Anthony/Abdullah), Subramani 2001 Poovellam Un VasamChinnasamy Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best Actor Nominated— Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil 2001 AsokaSuseema Hindifilm Nominated — Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role Dubbed into Tamil asSamrat Asoka 2002 RedRed 2002 RajaRaja 2002 VillainShiva, Vishnu Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil 2003 Ennai Thalatta VaruvalaSatish 2003 AnjaneyaParamaguru 2004 JanaJanardhanan 2004 AttagasamGuru, Jeeva 2005 JiVasu 2006 ParamasivanSubramaniyam Siva (Paramasivan) 2006 ThirupathiThirupathi 2006 VaralaruShivshankar, Vishnu, Jeeva Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil Vijay Award for Favourite Hero 2007 AalwarAalwar (Shiva) 2007 KireedamSakthivel Rajarajan 2007 BillaDavid Billa, SaravanaveluNominated — Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil Nominated — Vijay Award for Favourite Hero 2008 AeganShivaNominated — Vijay Award for Favourite Hero 2010 AasalShiva, JeevanandhamAlso screenwriter Nominated — Vijay Award for Favourite Hero 2011 MankathaVinayak Mahadevan Vijay Award for Favourite Hero Vijay Award for Best Villain Chennai Times Award for Best Actor Nominated — Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil 2012 Billa IIDavid BillaNominated — Vijay Award for Favourite Hero 2012 English VinglishAjithCameo appearance 2013 ArrambamAshok Kumar (AK) 2014 VeeramVinayagam 2014 Aayiram Thottaakkal
Posted on: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 23:52:25 +0000
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