Ajith Fans Club

The ultimate story

Actor Ajith talks to ET M+ about life, movies, marriage and the book that changed his life…

Mamta Todi

Though actor Ajith has been shooting most nights for his next film
Billa, he decides to meet us at 10.15am. And he walks in on time,
dressed in a formal blazer. We take a couple of pictures and as I watch
him smile for the camera, I wonder about his long absence, married
life, career and if I’ll get any answers to these questions.

Especially since Ajith is well-versed in the art of diplomacy. Over
poori and bhaji for breakfast, he opens up about what’s been on his
mind…

The background

I have been in the industry for 15 years. I dropped out of high
school and worked with an automobile manufacturer as an apprentice and
then I worked with a leading garment company. I started modeling as a
hobby - one thing led to another and soon I was on to movies. It’s been
15 eventful years and I am very content with all the successes and
failures - both have taught me great lessons.

On Kireedam

It feels good to be a part of this production house, which has
worked with the thespians of Kollywood like Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, and
decided to make a comeback with this movie after 15 years. It was also
a tie-up with Adlabs, so it had its own corporate setup. I would rate
this as one of the top five on my list of best films, as I have learnt
a lot from it. The audience has given us a mixed response so far, but
on the whole, the reviews have been good. If you ask me where the film
went wrong, I’ll say I don’t know. I’m not living in the past and it’s
anyway too early to write it off.

Growth as an actor
It’s very difficult to point out how my performance has improved over
the period that I have been here. It’s unfair to ask what I feel; I
think the verdict should be left to the audience. I think they’ll have
a better answer.

Silence over the years
I went into this self-realisation mode three to four years ago,
analysing the purpose of my being. Today the globalisation trend has
taken its toll on every field - be it sports, politics or IT. And it’s
become so competitive that people are burning out before they hit 30.
The stress levels are so high - where is the happiness? Quality of life
is important and cannot be judged by the materialistic accolades
showered on oneself.

My realisations
People either brood over the past or worry about the future. They have
forgotten to live for the moment. We are always preparing ourselves to
live well but are not living well in the current scenario. And before
you realise it, your life would have ended while you were still
preparing. I have realised that one should learn to live life for the
moment. There is no such thing as tomorrow… it’s jus an illusion.

Saying no
I’ve learnt to say no early in life. I’m not opinionated anymore, but I
mind my own business. What I say may not be acceptable so I refrain
from giving opinions. If you look at my career graph I’ve done
different genres of films - Vaali, Kadal Kottai, Varalaru, Kandukondein
Kandukodein, Citizen - I’ve consciously picked each of these films.

Making the present moment special
I don’t over commit anymore - I do one film at a time. I spend a lot of
time with crew discussing the best approach. This decision has also
given me more time to spend with my family, parents, wife and brothers.

Living with the criticsm
I believe in karma and whatever happens is the result of those
gestures, which I guess are accumulating somewhere in a karmic bank.
When you start living for the moment, things are a lot easier to
handle. So I don’t bother myself with whats being said and written
about me.

The book that changed my life
I would have laughed at the idea of having my life changed because of a
book. I met Rajnikanth sir and when I discussed what I was going
through with him, he told me that I must read Living with the Himalayan
Masters. I’d say that book has changed 70% of my life.

Preparing for different roles
I don’t want to sound clichéd, but I never really prepare for a role.
The way you prepare and the way things turn out on location could be
very different. I consciously don’t overdo things.

On Billa and other ventures
I can’t talk much about it. I don’t want to set expectations for people
and then fall short of them. The film’s rights have been bought from
its original Tamil producer and we are adapting it to our ways. My next
venture is not named yet, but I have signed up with a producer and its
going to be directed by Raju Sundaram.

On marriage and Shalini
Shalini and I have been married for seven years and we are expecting
our first child. We have our own likes and dislikes, and also have our
share of arguments. Any relationship needs constant attention and
nourishment. I can’t mention any specific anecdotes, but we have had
our own share of roller coaster rides and it’s normal - we don’t
believe in the ’fairytale’ life. Marriage is about giving your partner
space; it’s about forgiving and forgetting.

Car racing
It was going well until 2003. I raced in five countries with good
finishes. I also manage to find time for aero-modeling. I thought that
when my films bombed, it was God’s way of telling me that I needed to
do something different. So I did fewer films, which unfortunately
didn’t do well and people blamed it on my racing. Luckily for me,
Varalaru and Parmasivan happened, which motivated me and kept me going.

Personal health
My first surgery was on circuit, but all others have been on my sets. It’s just that I’ve been very accident prone.

Media hiatus:
When a person is off the radar for sometime, people expect a reason for
it, but sometimes you don’t have a valid reason and people start
assuming things. So you either accept and live with it or suffer with
it. In this field only the most tolerant can survive. I’m very clear -
I’m acting for a living and it’s only my career - not my life.

Source: www.madrasplus.com

The 2^nd
biggest blockbuster in tamil cinema in that past 15 years, VARALARU
which grossed more than 50 crores not only reaped rich benefits for the
producer, name for the director but also the prestigious FILMFARE AWARD
for The 4^th time, to Ajit Kumar. Due to ill health he
couldn’t make it to the function and director KS Ravikumar collected it
on his behalf. There was huge roar from fans when this name was
announced and when the climax fight was screened during announcement
including innisai song. The movie is now in hot list for many actors to
remake it in other languages. We at ajithfans.com salute the best hero
of this generation, for a schwa buckling role done with finesse and
commerciality. Hats off To the director KSR too.

Source: www.ajithfans.com

The most expected movie for this diwali is undoubtedly Thala’s Ajit’s
BILLA. The shooting was shelved because ajit suffered from some health
problems and now as he has recouped the shooting is back on track.
Currently shooting in a very ultra stylish set at AVM, the crew is to
leave back to Malaysia to shoot 3 songs and 1 song will be captured in
India. Nirav shah and Editor Sreekar Prasad along with the captain of
BILLA Vishnuvardhan are planning to shoot all songs and scenes in the
best possible way so that it is very stylish as well as reachable to
the common man. Songs are said have been given some kind of pop-art
effect to make it look different and awesome. With
dasavatharam almost postponed and not a sure release for deepavali,
billa being next big release this year is sure to lap up with most
prominent theatres. Indeed we are all waiting for another Attagasamana
THALA deepavali!

Source: www.ajithfans.com

The star-studded Billa 2007 with Ajith, Namitha and Nayantara is progressing fast and would likely be one of Ajith’s best movies.

The movie, which is majorly shot in foriegn locales, recently had a song shoot in AVM Studios in Chennai.

The entire bunch of press people were prevented from viewing the shoot as Nayantara, glamorously outfitted, was performing the dance number.

Billa 2007 has pretty interesting ingredients to lure movie lovers.

Source: www.galatta.com

The upcoming Ajith-starrer Billa 2007 is strongly flavoured with the Thalai-sentiments and has completed an elaborate shooting schedule in Malaysia.

Ajith is recreating the Superstar’s role in the original Billa. This trendy Billa 2007 is releasing exactly 20 years after the release of the original version. The movie is further pumped with a lot more glitter and glamour with the dazzling Nayantara and the glamorous Namitha as the female leads.

Vishnuvardhan is directing the film which is a Yuvan Shankar Raja musical. Nirav Shah handles the camera. L. Suresh of Ananda pictures is producing the movie.

Source: www.galatta.com

Talk
less; work more is Ajith’s mantra these days. The actor is shooting
round the clock for his Billa, directed by Vishnu Vardhan. Ajith says,
"The movie which is a remake of Super Star Rajnikanth’s yesteryear
classic, is a dedication to Rajnikanth himself".

"When I was confused and things were going wrong, a
meeting with Rajnikanth changed my life. He presented me a book. When I
browsed through it, my life change took a change. I was relieved of all
my confusion", he says.

Having been in the industry for over 15 years, Ajith
says, "I have been part of several blockbusters and several films have
gone on to become hits. More over, without any support or mentor in the
industry, I have succeeded in rendering hit films. Equally, my career
in motor racing had witnessed some joyous moments".

Source: www.indiaglitz.com

Ajith is happy at the prospect of becoming a dad. Shalini is expected to deliver the baby coming January.

The doctors have reportedly told Ajith that the ‘new entrant’ will arrive home tentatively by the second week of January.

Says Ajith, “When I was in Malaysia for the shoot of
Billa for more than a month, I visited Chennai for about 18 times to
see Shalini. Such is my excitement in welcoming the new member to our
family. I am eagerly waiting for that moment”.

When asked about Billa, Ajith said, “The film is
coming out in a grand way. The new version will be technically sleek
and will be our dedication to ‘Superstar’ Rajnikanth who immediately
granted us the permission to remake the movie. Get ready for the
fireworks”.

Source: www.indiaglitz.com

After his recovery from his illness, the old vigour is back in Ajith’s talk. After a long time he breaks his silence and speaks freely.



You suddenly started to talk less. How does it feel to be so silent?

"My comments were unnecessarily twisted and misconstrued and landed me in a lot of problems. Now I am clear. I can now distinguish the milk from the toddy. Silence is like meditation. These two are my teachers now. I do only what I like to do. For me, silence is now a language and I’m getting used to it. "Let life be" is a brief advice, just 3 words. But this has such a wealth of meaning."

‘Billa’?

"This film featuring superstar was a super hit. This film will be liked by those who have seen the old ‘Billa’ film as well as the new generation who have not seen it. ‘Billa’ will be an unforgettable experience in my acting career. Instead of my speaking about it, it would be better to let the film speak for itself."

How do you feel now that Ajith Jr is due?

"I was shooting abroad when I received this wonderful news. I can’t describe the happiness I felt at that moment when I got the news, I was so jubilant. The child is due in January. In Kodambakkam language, one could call it a Pongal release!" said Ajith with a childish laugh.

Source: www.cinesouth.com

It is now close to three years that Ajith has given an interview to any of the newspapers or magazines. The star has finally decided to come out of the shell, for his interview has been featured in Ananda Vikatan’s Independence Day special issue. The ultimate star opens his heart this time as he talks about his predilection for risks to philosophy.

                                          

Ajith disclosed that he had done a risky bungee jumping for Billa. And this, after several mishaps in his career both as racer and an actor. When asked about Trisha’s comment that he is the best person in the Kollywood and Simbu’s statement that he is one person who does not backbite, Ajith said that such remarks make him happy and was thankful for all those who have nice words for him.

Talking about the big transformation in his life, the actor said Rajini was instrumental in doing that. For it was the superstar who presented him with a book titled "Living with the Himalayan Masters." According to Ajith, the book had a great impact in his life which helped him mellow down a lot. "I would have wondered if someone told me that a book had changed their lives, until I felt it myself," he stated.

Ajith revealed that Billa has come out very well and would be talked for its technical details and stylishness. "I hope that it would take me to the next stage in my career," he said.

Source: www.behindwoods.com

Namitha
and Nayanthara fought with each other at the sets of Billa at AVM
Studios in Chennai.  No, don’t get us wrong, it was all part of the
shoot.

The shooting of Billa, a remake of yesteryear
Rajnikanth hit, was on at Chennai on Thursday. Scenes involving
Nayanthara, Namitha and later Ajith were shot.

Director Vishnuvardhan and cinematographer Nirav
Shah chose to shoot scenes involving a stunt sequence between Namitha
and Nayanthara. Both crossed swords at each other. The fencing scenes
between the two heroines were shot.

Namitha Said, “It was a different feel to shoot for
an action sequence. I had to learn fencing to fight with Nayanthara.
The scene has come out really good. All credit to Vishnuvardhan for
getting the best out of us”.

Source: www.indiaglitz.com