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Ajit Kumar today is in a better position than his contemporaries - almost at the number one slot. They call him the ‘Lucky star’. Last year’s Ajit-Kartik starrer ‘Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen’ celebrated its Silver Jubilee run at the theatres. His next release ‘Unnai Thedi’ ran for 100 days. And then came the film that was a turning point in his career. And his latest release ‘Amarkkalam’ too was a big success. Today Ajit has carved an enviable slot for himself in the Tamil film industry.
Ajit came to Tamil
films through ‘Amaravathi’ which was directed by Selva.
Filmdom did not come to him on a platter. He had to go through
various trials and tribulations to reach the position he is in
today. Out of the 25 films he has acted in so far, only a handful
of them were successful ones. But Ajit had his own fan following,
particularly among the ladies who were charmed by his good looks
and pleasant disposition. ‘Vanmati’, ‘Aasai’,
‘Kadhal Kottai’, Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen’,
‘Vaali’, ‘Amarkkalam’, ‘Nee Varuvai
Ena’, were films that contributed to his success story. But
Ajit says that the roles in his forthcoming films
‘Kandukonden Kandukonden’, and ‘Mughavari’
will show him in a different and mature light. Ajit who was
earlier not very wise in his choice of films and roles, is today
very involved in the story discussion and selects his characters
with care. He has not forgotten the bitter past when he hardly
had a film to talk of.
His film career may have gone through a bad phase. He himself had to undergo operations for the injury to his spine when he fell off his motorbike and met with an accident. But the actor has always managed to swim against the tide, largely because of his persistence, determination and self-confidence. When he was recuperating from an operation, Ajit, much against the advice of his doctors, attended a shooting and performed the stunt scenes without any dupe. To make up for lost ground, to make a success of the profession he has chosen, to see that the producers incur no loss, who have put their faith and money on him, is what Ajit is aiming at. He is one of the few actors who compensate to the producer for any loss incurred, when a film starring him flops. By doing a film for them without charging any remuneration. That was the way he agreed to do ‘Vaali’ for producer and friend Suresh Chakravarty. ‘Kadhal Mannan’ was not a commercial success, so Ajit accepted ‘Amarkkalam’, in order that the producer could tide over the crises.
Being an
openhearted person, Ajit had his own share of controversies. In
fact among his contemporaries, he was the one whom the media
loved to speculate on. That he never gave the respect which the
press demanded, that his concentration was more on having a good
time with the fairer sex. And, of course, his so called affairs
with his various heroines. But Ajit has his explanations for all
the accusations.
"I was never an arrogant person. I strongly deny this allegation against me. The reason that I kept some of the press at bay was that some of the press persons used to write various things about me, without even clarifying with me or to know the truth of the report. It’s true that I did refuse to meet such people from the media. But those who have played fair with me, I have always been accessible to them. The media has been instrumental in building my career and always lent their support to me. It is only a few who misuse it. As for the gossip that I neglect my work for the fairer sex, I deny the allegation outright. But I do admit that I have had my fair share of involvement, I am a human being too I too have the feelings and desires that a normal human being has. If we do not enjoy life at this age, are we to do it when we are old and infirm? This is a phase that every human being goes through. To single me out is quite unfair. It’s because I am in the limelight that the whole thing is magnified out of proportion. But I have put a stop to these things and my life has taken a different course. You will not see the old Ajit again. It’s not only because I am going to marry Shalini. It is also because I have realised that human life is full of turns and twists. And an opportunity comes but once. It may not come again. Today I am in a position of strength. And it would not do for me to lose this position which I have got after the struggle I went through. I still have a long way to go. And I need the good will and support of all. "
Here’s wishing him all the
very best in his life and career.
Malini Mannath