Ajith Kumar: Difference between revisions

Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
	Kumar in 2019
Born	Ajithkumar Subramaniam; 1 May 1971 (age 55)
Occupation	Actor; race car driver;
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Shalini (m. 2000)
Children	2

VisualWikitext

Latest revision as of 01:04, 22 July 2023

Ajith Kumar (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil cinema. To date, he has starred in over 61 films, and his awards include four Vijay Awards, three Cinema Express Awards, three Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. In addition to his acting career, Ajith is also a sports car racer and participated in the MRF Racing series (2010). He became a race car driver, competing in circuits around India in places such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. Based on the annual earnings of Indian celebrities, he was included in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list three times.^[2]

He began his career with a small role in the 1990 Tamil romantic drama En Veedu En Kanavar. He established himself as a romantic hero with Kadhal Kottai (1996), Aval Varuvala (1998) and Kaadhal Mannan (1998), and established himself as an action hero starting with the film Amarkalam (1999). Ajith's dual portrayal of twin brothers—where one is deaf-mute—in S. J. Suryah's Vaali (1999) won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. He earned critical acclaim for his dual roles in the vigilante film Citizen (2001).^[3] In 2006, he starred in Varalaru, in which he played three different roles. It became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2006, and earned him another Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[4] The following year he starred in two remakes—Kireedam (2007) and Billa (2007),^{[lower-alpha 1]} both of which earned him critical acclaim.^[4] Ajith played an antihero in Mankatha (2011),^[5] which became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.^[6] His next release, Billa II (2012), was Tamil cinema's first prequel.^{[lower-alpha 2]}

Ajith has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and Malaysia. He drove in the 2003 Formula Asia BMW Championships.^[8] He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, Armaan Ebrahim and Parthiva Sureshwaren.^[9]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ajith Kumar was born on 1 May 1971.^[1] His father, P. Subramaniam (died 2023^[10]), was a Malayali from Palakkad, Kerala^[11] and his mother, Mohini, is Sindhi from Kolkata, West Bengal.^[12] Ajith was the middle son out of three brothers, the others being Anup Kumar, an investor, and Anil Kumar, an IIT Madras graduate-turned-entrepreneur.^[13]

Ajith dropped out of Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School during his tenth grade, before he had completed his higher secondary schooling.^[14] Through a family friend who worked with the Enfield company, Ajith was able to get a job as an apprentice and spent six months training to be a mechanic.^[15] He later quit the role at the insistence of his father, who wanted Ajith to have a white-collar job, and joined another family friend's garment exporting company as an apprentice. He eventually progressed to become a business developer and regularly travelled throughout the country on sales assignments, improving his English-speaking skills.^[15] After resigning from the role, Ajith set up a textiles business distributing fabric alongside three other partners. The business venture underperformed prompting Ajith to take up another job in the garments industry.^[15] During the period, Ajith also began working on modelling assignments alongside his work. He was notably scouted by P. C. Sreeram during the making of a commercial for Hercules Cycle and Motor Company, who felt he had the appearance to become an actor.^[15]^[16]

Acting career[edit | edit source]

1990–1998[edit | edit source]

Ajith began his acting career through a one-scene appearance as a school child in En Veedu En Kanavar (1990). Through the recommendation of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, whose son was a classmate of Ajith, he was cast in his first lead role in the Telugu romantic drama Prema Pusthakam (1993), which remains his only Telugu film to date. However, the shoot of the film was stalled soon after production began, following the death of the film's director Gollapudi Srinivas.^[17] As a result, his first major theatrical release was the Tamil romantic drama Amaravathi (1993), which Ajith had signed after being recommended to director Selva by Balasubrahmanyam, who had seen parts of Prema Pusthakam prior to its delay.^[18] As the film went into post-production, Ajith was bed-ridden due to a racing injury while training for an amateur motor race. He underwent three major surgeries resulting in bed rest for one and a half years. As a result, his voice in the film was dubbed by actor Vikram.^[14] Following the injury, Ajith was keen to make up for lost time and signed on to play supporting roles. In the following years, he played character roles in the Arvind Swami-starrer Paasamalargal (1994) and Vijay-starrer Rajavin Parvaiyile (1995). He was also seen in the family drama Pavithra (1994), which featured him as an ailing patient shown maternal affection from Raadhika.^[19]^[16]

Ajith's first commercially successful film as a lead actor was the romantic thriller Aasai (1995). The film, directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam featured him in the lead role opposite Suvalakshmi, whose brother-in-law infatuates about her. It performed well at the box office and established Ajith as an upcoming actor in the Tamil film industry.^[20]^[21] Aasai also earned him his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. He later played the lead in Kalloori Vaasal, co-starring Prashanth and Pooja Bhatt.^[14] Ajith's second successful film came in the form of National Award winning Kadhal Kottai, in which Ajith reunited with Agathiyan, the director of the earlier project Vaanmathi.^[22] The film Kadhal Kottai paired him opposite Devayani, with Heera Rajgopal playing a supporting role.^[23]

In 1997, Ajith appeared in five films with none of the projects doing well commercially. During the same period, he had entered into the film distribution business and had experienced losses as a result. Describing the period as a "cruel time", Ajith also continued to have chronic back injuries and several of his other film commitments had become delayed.^[24] A notable project among the five films was Amitabh Bachchan's Tamil production Ullaasam (1997), in which he was paid a high salary of ₹2 million (equivalent to ₹8.8 million or US$120,000 in 2019) for the first time.^[14]

Ajith returned in 1998 with another big, successful project in Saran's Kaadhal Mannan, an action romantic comedy, setting the foundation for an expanding fan base.^[14] He also began acting in Vasanth's Nerukku Ner, and was later replaced by Suriya.^[25] The following films Aval Varuvala and Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen also became successes, with the latter featuring Ajith in a guest role alongside Karthik. Except for Uyirodu Uyiraga, which performed poorly, his other three films released in 1998 were box office hits.

1999–2008[edit | edit source]

Ajith and actress Sridevi on the set of *English Vinglish* (2012)

Ramesh Khanna's Thodarum and Sundar C's romantic drama Unnaithedi opposite Malavika set the tone for a series of big successes. S. J. Suryah's thriller Vaali, which portrayed Ajith in dual roles for the first time opposite Simran, became one of his biggest hits at that time.^[17] The film told the story of a deaf-mute brother setting his eyes on his younger brother's wife, with Ajith's portrayal of the two brothers winning him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[26] 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".^[27] The two following roles in the drama films Anandha Poongatre and Nee Varuvai Ena also brought Ajith plaudits for his portrayals. His final film before the new millennium was Amarkalam, directed by Saran and featuring Shalini, whom he married shortly after the film. Amarkalam told the story of a neglected child who grew up and failed to show feelings of love or affection, becoming a gangster in the process, with Ajith's depiction of his rogue character appreciated by critics.^[28]

His next, Mugavaree, won him commercial and critical praise.^[29] 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 from Rediff, 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".^[30] He also appeared in A. R. Rahman's 2000 musical Kandukondain Kandukondain, directed by Rajiv Menon. The film featured Ajith alongside prominent actor Mammooty and actresses Aishwarya Rai, Tabu and Srividya.^[31] 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.^[32]^[33] After giving six straight hits in 1999, and having had Mugavaree and Kandukondain Kandukondain in 2000 as successes, Ajith had an unsuccessful film, Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven, co-starring Simran.^[28]^[34]

File:Art Director M. Prabhaharan at the shooting spot of Aasal.jpg

Ajith with art director M. Prabhaharan on location while filming Aasal

In 2001, Ajith appeared in three commercially successful Tamil films. Dheena co-starring Laila and Suresh Gopi, released at Pongal and marked the beginning of a new image of Ajith as an action hero who would appeal to the masses.^[35] He earned the nickname, "Thala" (Leader), from this film. In the same year, he was offered a role in Nandha, which he rejected and was replaced by Suriya, the eldest son of actor Sivakumar.^[36] His next was the much-hyped thriller Citizen, portraying him in ten different get-ups and it became a commercial success at the box office.^[37] A role in the family drama Poovellam Un Vasam followed opposite Jyothika and was a critical and commercial success, earning him the Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award and his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[38] The year ended off with an appearance in Santosh Sivan's Hindi project Asoka, in which Ajith played as one of the antagonist against Shah Rukh Khan, which did not perform well.^[39] In 2002, Ajith appeared in three films, the first two, Red^[40] and Raja^[41] being box office disappointments, the former further building up his image as an action hero. The third film Villain, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, portrayed Ajith in dual roles, one as a mentally disabled person and another as a caring brother. The film emerged as a commercial successf and earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[42]^[43]

From 2003 through 2005, Ajith appeared in fewer films due to his career in motor racing becoming more prominent.^[44] 2003 saw the release of his long-delayed Ennai Thalatta Varuvala and the police drama Anjaneya, both failing commercially. In that period, three successful films, namely Saamy, Kaakha Kaakha and Ghajini, were turned away by the actor due to various reasons.^[45]

His next film, Jana with Sneha, also became a big failure, with the Saran film Attagasam, being his only hit in the period.^[46] The film saw Ajith portray dual roles, with a song "Thala Deepavali", penned to promote his action image. In 2005, the failure of the Linguswamy film Ji, despite garnering positive reviews and taking a strong opening, saw Ajith take a sabbatical from acting to re-work his image.^[47]^[48] Of the five films released between 2003 and 2005, his only box office hit was Attagasam.

During 2006, Ajith returned from his hiatus by appearing in P. Vasu's Paramasivan for which he had lost twenty kilograms to portray the lead role.^[49] The film enjoyed a moderate success, scoring over Vijay's Aathi, which also released in the same week, at the box office.^[50] Critics from The Hindu stated that 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.^[51] Furthermore, for Paramasivan and his two other projects in 2006, Ajith sported long hair, which was being grown for Bala's project Naan Kadavul, which Ajith eventually opted out of.^[52] Similarly, his next film, AVM Productions's, Thirupathi, directed by Perarasu performed above average business at the box office, despite garnering poor reviews, with Rediff critics citing that the film is "anything but sensible", but that Ajith "salvages the situation with a spirited performance".^[53] Ajith summed up a successful comeback by the release of his long-delayed action drama Varalaru, which went on to become his first biggest success. The K. S. Ravikumar film co-starring Asin, portrayed Ajith in three roles, including that of a classical dancer, with his portrayals being critically praised.^[54]^[55] Moreover, the film earned Ajith his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[56] In 2007, media reports hinted that the actor would do a project with Shankar.^[57] Ajith's first release in 2007, Aalwar, became a debacle at the box office, with his previous film still continuing to run in theatres even after Aalwar had stopped its brief theatrical run.^[58] Kireedam, a remake of the 1989 National Award-winning Malayalam film of the same name, was released to positive reviews, with the film also becoming a moderate success.^[59] During the shooting of the film, Ajith developed a further spinal injury, a recurrence of his problem earlier in his career.^[60]

Ajith then starred in Billa, a remake of the 1980 Rajinikanth-starrer of the same name. The Vishnuvardhan-directorial fetched critical praise for Ajith, becoming a trend-setter for stylish art direction and cinematography in India.^[61] 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. Billa also earned him his sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. After Billa, Ajith appeared in the film, Ayngaran International's production Aegan, directed by the choreographer turned director Raju Sundaram. The film, a remake of the 2004 Hindi comedy Main Hoon Na, received mixed reviews and was a failure at the box office.^[62]

2010–2019[edit | edit source]

Following a year of production, Ajith's Aasal, released 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 bigger expectations.^[63]

After a second foray into motor racing, Ajith signed a film directed by Venkat Prabhu, titled Mankatha, which notably became his 50th project.^[64] The film featured him in a full-length negative role as Vinayak Mahadevan, a suspended police officer with a lust for money. His performance and his decision to portray a character with negative shade, breaking the stereotype hero image in Tamil cinema,^[65]^[66] were lauded by critics, with reviewers from Sify and Rediff terming the film as an "out and out Ajith film" that worked "only because of Ajith".^[67]^[68] 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",^[67] while the latter wrote that practically "he carried the whole film on his capable shoulders".^[68] Mankatha emerged as a commercial success and earned him his seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[65]

Ajith then starred in Billa II, a sequel to his 2007 film Billa, which released on 13 July 2012. Reviewers appreciated Ajith's on-screen presence and stunts but blamed him for the choice of story and the director.^[69]^[70]^[71]^[72]^[73] Eventually, the film performed poorly at the box office.^[74] He starred in Vishnuvardhan's Arrambam, alongside Arya, Nayantara and Taapsee Pannu, which was released on 31 October, and earned positive reviews from both critics and audience.^[75] Arrambam earned him his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. His next film was Veeram, directed by Siva and co-starring Tamannaah, which was released on Pongal 2014,^[76] which also earned positive reviews from critics.^[77] Ajith's next film was Yennai Arindhaal, with Gautham Vasudev Menon as director.^[78] Ajith's performance as a cop was widely praised with a critic calling it "Ajith's best since Kandukondain Kandukondain".^[79] Both Veeram and Yennai Arindhaal earned him his ninth and tenth nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. Ajith worked with Siva again in Vedalam (2015), in which critics praised his performance.^[80] His latest project is Vivegam which received mixed-to-negative reviews with critics citing illogical scenes and average screenplay.^[81]^[82] His next release, Viswasam, was released on Pongal festival of 2019. Ajith later starred in Nerkonda Paarvai, remake of the Hindi film, Pink (2016), which was released in the same year.

2022-present[edit | edit source]

In 2022, Ajith collaborated with Vinoth, again, for Valimai. It was written and directed by Vinoth. It released on 24 February to mixed reviews from both the critics and audience, alike.^[83] The following year in 2023, they collaborated again for the bank heist thriller, Thunivu.^[84] It was produced by Boney Kapoor and it was the third collaboration of the team consisting of Ajith, Boney Kapoor, H. Vinoth, and Nirav Shah. Ghibran composed the music and background score for the film.^[85]

Other works[edit | edit source]

In the late 1990s, Ajith began his own film distribution company called Circuit 9000. In 1998, he announced that he would close the business and refrain from producing, distributing or directing films in the future.^[24]

Ajith 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.^[86]

In 2004, Ajith was signed as Nescafe's brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu.^[87] Later, he has limited his appearance to the silver screen by not appearing or promoting any commercials.

Ajith is passionate about UAVs and drones.^[88] Recently he has been appointed as the test pilot and UAV system advisor by Madras Institute of Technology^[89] for Medical Express-2018 UAV Challenge.

Racing career[edit | edit source]

Ajith became a racing driver, competing in circuits around India in places such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. He has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and Malaysia. He drove in the 2003 Formula Asia BMW Championships.^[8] He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, Armaan Ebrahim and Parthiva Sureshwaren.^[9]

Formula BMW Asia (2003)[edit | edit source]

After a one-off race during the Formula Maruti Indian Championships in 2002, where he finished in fourth place, Ajith signed a contract with manager Akbar Ebrahim, confirming his participation in the inaugural Formula BMW Asia championship. Despite spinning out in the first lap of his first race, Ajith successfully completed the season by finishing twelfth.^[90]

Formula 2 (2010)[edit | edit source]

Ajith at the MRF racing series (2010) in Chennai

After a six-year sabbatical, Ajith signed up for his third season of car racing by participating in the 2010 season of the FIA Formula Two Championship.^[91] The decision to be involved in the sport was made after Ajith's film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon was delayed, allowing him to participate in the whole season.^[92] Prior to signing up, he competed in the final round of the MRF racing series in Chennai in February 2010, but failed to finish the race due to mechanical problems. Further trials in Sepang, 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.^[93]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Ajith dated actress Heera Rajagopal in the mid-1990s, but ended the relationship in 1998.^[94]^[95]^[96]

In 1999, during the shoot of Saran's Amarkalam, Ajith started dating his co-star Shalini.^[97] At that time, their involvement made them a regular subject of tabloid gossip. Despite the fact actor Ramesh Khanna advised Ajith not to marry an actress,^[98] Ajith proposed to actress Shalini in June 1999 and they were married in April 2000 in Chennai.^[99] They have two children.^[100]^[101]^[102]^[103] Through his marriage to actress Shalini, he became brother-in-law to actor Richard Rishi and actress Shamili, who appeared as his sister-in-law in Rajiv Menon's Kandukondain Kandukondain.

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

↑ Kireedam was a remake of the namesake 1989 Malayalam film while Billa was a remake of the 1980 Tamil film of the same name.
↑ The film was a prequel to his 2007 film of the same name.^[7]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "Ajith celebrating his 41st birthday". The Times of India. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
↑ "Ajith Kumar - Forbes India Magazine". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
↑ Kamath, Sudhish; Kannan, Ramya; Kumar, S.Shiva; Oppili, P. (29 December 2000). "Talk of the town". The Hindu.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Saraswathi, S. (5 February 2015). "Ajith's Top 10 Hits". Rediff.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ Raghavan, Nikhil (16 July 2011). "What's on the cards?". The Hindu.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ "Mankatha takes best opening of 2011". Sify. 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015.
↑ Raghavan, Nikhil (29 April 2012). "The don of summer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 "No act this!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 September 2003. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 "FIA Formula Two Championship 2011". Formulatwo.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
↑ "Actor Ajith's father passes away of ill health at 84". DT Next. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
↑ "Pressure mounts but Ajith sticks to his position | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
↑ "The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai : It's all about choices". The Hindu. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009.
↑ Srinivasan, Karthik (4 February 2014). "Ajith Kumar's brother runs a social matchmaking site called Jodi365". Twitter.
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 ^14.3 ^14.4 Rajitha (4 April 1997). "The Star Next Door". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
↑ ^15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு—Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!". Archived from the original on 10 February 2005.
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
↑ ^17.0 ^17.1 Warrier, Shobha (6 April 1997). "Bad back, great future". Rediff. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
↑ "SPB reveals truth about Ajith - Times of India". The Times of India.
↑ Vijayan, K. (19 December 1994). "Many flaws in this sentimental attempt". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
↑ Warrier, Shobha (July 1999). "Rediff on the NeT, Movies: An interview with Ajith Kumar". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
↑ Chandran, Sheela (26 October 2008). "Tough-guy role". The Star. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
↑ "Bollywood, here come the south stars!". The Times of India. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
↑ Rajitha (15 September 1999). "Pyar to hona hi tha". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
↑ ^24.0 ^24.1 "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
↑ "Yukta signs her first film". Rediff. 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
↑ Kumar, Ashok (15 April 2000). "Star-spangled show on cards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ Krishna, Sandya (1999). "Vaali:Review". Indolink.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011.
↑ ^28.0 ^28.1 Rajitha (2000). "Kamal joins the rat race". Rediff. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
↑ Kumar, Ashok S.R (19 January 2001). "Hits and misses of the year that was". Rediff.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ Warrier, Shobha (6 March 2000). "The hero as a human being". Rediff. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
↑ "Chennai's new cinematic idiom". The Hindu. 15 May 2000.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ "Kandukondain Kandukondain". Express India. 10 July 2000. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.
↑ Jain, Mimmy (8 August 2000). "I have seen... and conquered". Express India. Archived from the original on 29 April 2003.
↑ "rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". Rediff. 14 June 2000. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
↑ Rao, Subha (7 June 2004). "Race (ing) to be a Star". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ "Surya looks back at his Ghajinidays". Rediff. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
↑ Kamath, Sudhish (29 December 2000). "Talk of the Town". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ "Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years". IndiaGlitz. 1 October 2004. Archived from the original on 24 October 2004.
↑ "Friday Review Hyderabad : Troubled chapters from history". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (25 January 2002). ""Red"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019.
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (11 July 2002). "Raja". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 January 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
↑ Moviebuzz (25 July 2003). "Ajit – Fast and Furious". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ PTI (17 May 2003). "Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
↑ Rao, Subha (24 November 2003). "A for attitude". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ "Ajith Kumar: Lesser known facts". The Times of India.
↑ "Attagasam leads the race". IndiaGlitz. 16 November 2004. Archived from the original on 16 November 2004.
↑ Pillai, Sreedhar (12 February 2005). "King of Opening is back!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ "Ji' collapses, 'Constantine' rises!". Sify. 21 February 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2005. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ Warrier, Shobha (11 January 2006). "P Vasu: Ready for Paramasivan". Rediff. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006.
↑ Warrier, Shobha (11 January 2007). "Ajith vs Vijay this Pongal". Rediff. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007.
↑ Rangarajan, Mlaathi (20 January 2006). "Going in for a much-changed look". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ "More controversy for Naan Kadavul". Rediff. 23 June 2006. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
↑ Sudha, S (17 April 2006). "Tirupathi: Anything but sensible". Rediff. Archived from the original on 30 April 2006.
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (27 January 2006). "In the race, surely – Varalaaru". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ Abbhi, Athisay (2006). "Ajith all the way in Varalaaru". Rediff. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
↑ "Ajith, Bhavana win Filmfare awards". IndiaGlitz. 1 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 August 2007.
↑ "Shankar team-up with Ajith". Oneindia.in. 2007. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
↑ Nath, Aparna (22 January 2007). "'Pokiri' the only Pongal hit". Nowrunning.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ "'Kireedom' is a box office hit!". OneIndia.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ "Ajith fans on sms campaign". IndiaGlitz. 2007. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (21 December 2007). "Billa beats boredom". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007.
↑ Moviebuzz (24 October 2008). "Aegan:Movie Review". Sify. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
↑ "Ajith's 'Aasal' hits screens this Friday". The Times of India. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
↑ "MANKATHA TABLE SET FOR PLAY". Behindwoods. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
↑ ^65.0 ^65.1 "Mankatha takes best opening of 2011". Sify. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (3 September 2011). "A gutsy game!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
↑ ^67.0 ^67.1 "Movie review: Mankatha". Sify. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
↑ ^68.0 ^68.1 Srinivasan, Pavithra. "Review:Mankatha works only because of Ajith". Rediff. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
↑ "Movie Review : Billa-2". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ "Billa Ii Review – Billa Ii Movie Review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ "Review: Billa 2 fails to meet the expectations". Rediff. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ "Billa 2 movie review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ "Billa II Tamil Movie Review". IndiaGlitz. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ Billa II flops at the US & UK box office – Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1 August 2012). Retrieved on 2 July 2016.
↑ Arrambam, release date. "Ajith 53". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
↑ "Ajith's film with Siva is titled Veeram". The Times of India. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
↑ "Veeram' Review Roundup: Complete Masala Entertainer for Ajith's Fans". 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
↑ "Thala55 titled 'Yennai Arindhaal'". The Times of India. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
↑ "The hero has a name". The Hindu. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
↑ "Vedalam (aka) Vedhalam review". Behindwoods.com. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016.
↑ "Vivegam Review {3/5}: Action is what Vivegam promises and it is what the film offers – bangs for every buck". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
↑ "Vivegam (aka) Vivekam review". Behindwoods. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
↑ "Valimai (aka) Valimaii review". Behindwoods. 24 February 2022.
↑ "Ajith's 'Thunivu' could probably be a sequel to his character from 'Mankatha'! - Times of India". The Times of India.
↑ "'Thunivu' trailer: Ajith Kumar ups the ante yet again in slick actioner". The Hindu. 31 December 2022.
↑ Kumar, Ashok S. R (22 December 2004). "Ajit's charitable side". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2004.
↑ "AJITH IN NESCAFE SUNRISE AD". Youtube. 12 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
↑ "Ajith, actor, racer has another passion that took wings early - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
↑ "Ajith to help Chennai MIT's drone mission - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
↑ DriverDB (2003). "Formula BMW Asia 2003 standings". DriverDatabase. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2003.
↑ "India's Ajith Kumar signs up for Formula Two". FIA Formula Two Championship. MotorSport Vision. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
↑ Moviebuzz (2010). "Details of Gautham- Ajith film". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
↑ Menon, Priya (2010). "Kollywood star gets behind the wheel after six-year break". The Star. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
↑ "Most talked about link-ups in Kollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
↑ "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
↑ "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
↑ kollyspy (14 May 2016). "REVEALED: Untold Love Affairs of Ajith – Kollyspy.com". Kollyspy.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
↑ "I warned Ajith not to marry an actress: Director Ramesh Kanna". Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
↑ Kamath, Sudhish (26 April 2000). "Talk of the Town!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
↑ "Ajith – Shalini, blessed with a baby girl". IndiaGlitz. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2008.
↑ "Parvathy Nair Lauds 'Yennai Arindhaal' Co-Star Ajith's Personality". International Business Times. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
↑ Desk, Internet (2015). "It's a baby boy for Ajith and Shalini". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2015. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
↑ "Ajith – Shalini blessed with Kutty Thala". The Times of India. 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

External links[edit | edit source]

Ajith Kumar on IMDb

Template:FilmfareTamilBestActor

[5] Kireedam was a remake of the namesake 1989 Malayalam film while Billa was a remake of the 1980 Tamil film of the same name.

[9] The film was a prequel to his 2007 film of the same name.^[7]

[TOIDOB-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "Ajith celebrating his 41st birthday". The Times of India. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.

[2] "Ajith Kumar - Forbes India Magazine". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.

[3] Kamath, Sudhish; Kannan, Ramya; Kumar, S.Shiva; Oppili, P. (29 December 2000). "Talk of the town". The Hindu.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[rediff3-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Saraswathi, S. (5 February 2015). "Ajith's Top 10 Hits". Rediff.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[NikhilHindu-6] Raghavan, Nikhil (16 July 2011). "What's on the cards?". The Hindu.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[7] "Mankatha takes best opening of 2011". Sify. 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015.

[8] Raghavan, Nikhil (29 April 2012). "The don of summer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.

[thehindu.com-10] 8.0 ^8.1 "No act this!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 September 2003. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[formulatwo.com-11] 9.0 ^9.1 "FIA Formula Two Championship 2011". Formulatwo.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.

[12] "Actor Ajith's father passes away of ill health at 84". DT Next. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

[13] "Pressure mounts but Ajith sticks to his position | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.

[thehindu_2007interview-14] "The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai : It's all about choices". The Hindu. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009.

[15] Srinivasan, Karthik (4 February 2014). "Ajith Kumar's brother runs a social matchmaking site called Jodi365". Twitter.

[dropout-16] 14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 ^14.3 ^14.4 Rajitha (4 April 1997). "The Star Next Door". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2009.

[ajithstart-17] 15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு—Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!". Archived from the original on 10 February 2005.

[dinakaran1998p2-18] 16.0 ^16.1 "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2022.

[cancel-19] 17.0 ^17.1 Warrier, Shobha (6 April 1997). "Bad back, great future". Rediff. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2009.

[20] "SPB reveals truth about Ajith - Times of India". The Times of India.

[pavi-21] Vijayan, K. (19 December 1994). "Many flaws in this sentimental attempt". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

[rediff-22] Warrier, Shobha (July 1999). "Rediff on the NeT, Movies: An interview with Ajith Kumar". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2009.

[starEcentral-23] Chandran, Sheela (26 October 2008). "Tough-guy role". The Star. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.

[southhitut-24] "Bollywood, here come the south stars!". The Times of India. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.

[proposalo-25] Rajitha (15 September 1999). "Pyar to hona hi tha". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2009.

[dinakaran1999p1-26] 24.0 ^24.1 "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2022.

[27] "Yukta signs her first film". Rediff. 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2011.

[lvaalaaward-28] Kumar, Ashok (15 April 2000). "Star-spangled show on cards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[lvaalai-29] Krishna, Sandya (1999). "Vaali:Review". Indolink.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011.

[ahitamarkalam-30] 28.0 ^28.1 Rajitha (2000). "Kamal joins the rat race". Rediff. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2010.

[mugapraise-31] Kumar, Ashok S.R (19 January 2001). "Hits and misses of the year that was". Rediff.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[ahimuga-32] Warrier, Shobha (6 March 2000). "The hero as a human being". Rediff. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.

[blockbusterkku-33] "Chennai's new cinematic idiom". The Hindu. 15 May 2000.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[kkkktabu-34] "Kandukondain Kandukondain". Express India. 10 July 2000. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.

[kkkk2tabu-35] Jain, Mimmy (8 August 2000). "I have seen... and conquered". Express India. Archived from the original on 29 April 2003.

[36] "rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". Rediff. 14 June 2000. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2010.

[vmasse-37] Rao, Subha (7 June 2004). "Race (ing) to be a Star". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[rf1-38] "Surya looks back at his Ghajinidays". Rediff. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2011.

[citizen_hype-39] Kamath, Sudhish (29 December 2000). "Talk of the Town". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[pvhit-40] "Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years". IndiaGlitz. 1 October 2004. Archived from the original on 24 October 2004.

[41] "Friday Review Hyderabad : Troubled chapters from history". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2012.

[42] Rangarajan, Malathi (25 January 2002). ""Red"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019.

[43] Rangarajan, Malathi (11 July 2002). "Raja". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 January 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2023.

[villainhit-44] Moviebuzz (25 July 2003). "Ajit – Fast and Furious". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[villainaward-45] PTI (17 May 2003). "Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2013.

[vaaattitude-46] Rao, Subha (24 November 2003). "A for attitude". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[47] "Ajith Kumar: Lesser known facts". The Times of India.

[vleadatte-48] "Attagasam leads the race". IndiaGlitz. 16 November 2004. Archived from the original on 16 November 2004.

[jigood-49] Pillai, Sreedhar (12 February 2005). "King of Opening is back!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[jiflope-50] "Ji' collapses, 'Constantine' rises!". Sify. 21 February 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2005. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[twentyloss-51] Warrier, Shobha (11 January 2006). "P Vasu: Ready for Paramasivan". Rediff. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006.

[parmaAjit-52] Warrier, Shobha (11 January 2007). "Ajith vs Vijay this Pongal". Rediff. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007.

[paramasivangood-53] Rangarajan, Mlaathi (20 January 2006). "Going in for a much-changed look". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[54] "More controversy for Naan Kadavul". Rediff. 23 June 2006. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2011.

[thirupathi_review-55] Sudha, S (17 April 2006). "Tirupathi: Anything but sensible". Rediff. Archived from the original on 30 April 2006.

[Varalaru-56] Rangarajan, Malathi (27 January 2006). "In the race, surely – Varalaaru". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[varaalaas-57] Abbhi, Athisay (2006). "Ajith all the way in Varalaaru". Rediff. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.

[varafilm-58] "Ajith, Bhavana win Filmfare awards". IndiaGlitz. 1 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 August 2007.

[59] "Shankar team-up with Ajith". Oneindia.in. 2007. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2011.

[aaklwarfail-60] Nath, Aparna (22 January 2007). "'Pokiri' the only Pongal hit". Nowrunning.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[kireedan-61] "'Kireedom' is a box office hit!". OneIndia.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[injuryajith-62] "Ajith fans on sms campaign". IndiaGlitz. 2007. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[Billajit-63] Rangarajan, Malathi (21 December 2007). "Billa beats boredom". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007.

[Aegan-64] Moviebuzz (24 October 2008). "Aegan:Movie Review". Sify. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.

[Visaasal-65] "Ajith's 'Aasal' hits screens this Friday". The Times of India. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.

[66] "MANKATHA TABLE SET FOR PLAY". Behindwoods. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.

[sify2-67] 65.0 ^65.1 "Mankatha takes best opening of 2011". Sify. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2011.

[68] Rangarajan, Malathi (3 September 2011). "A gutsy game!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.

[sify1-69] 67.0 ^67.1 "Movie review: Mankatha". Sify. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2011.

[rediff1-70] 68.0 ^68.1 Srinivasan, Pavithra. "Review:Mankatha works only because of Ajith". Rediff. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2011.

[71] "Movie Review : Billa-2". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[72] "Billa Ii Review – Billa Ii Movie Review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[73] "Review: Billa 2 fails to meet the expectations". Rediff. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[74] "Billa 2 movie review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[75] "Billa II Tamil Movie Review". IndiaGlitz. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[76] Billa II flops at the US & UK box office – Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1 August 2012). Retrieved on 2 July 2016.

[Arrambam-77] Arrambam, release date. "Ajith 53". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.

[78] "Ajith's film with Siva is titled Veeram". The Times of India. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2013.

[79] "Veeram' Review Roundup: Complete Masala Entertainer for Ajith's Fans". 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[80] "Thala55 titled 'Yennai Arindhaal'". The Times of India. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.

[81] "The hero has a name". The Hindu. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2016.

[82] "Vedalam (aka) Vedhalam review". Behindwoods.com. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016.

[83] "Vivegam Review {3/5}: Action is what Vivegam promises and it is what the film offers – bangs for every buck". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

[84] "Vivegam (aka) Vivekam review". Behindwoods. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

[85] "Valimai (aka) Valimaii review". Behindwoods. 24 February 2022.

[86] "Ajith's 'Thunivu' could probably be a sequel to his character from 'Mankatha'! - Times of India". The Times of India.

[87] "'Thunivu' trailer: Ajith Kumar ups the ante yet again in slick actioner". The Hindu. 31 December 2022.

[mor-88] Kumar, Ashok S. R (22 December 2004). "Ajit's charitable side". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2004.

[89] "AJITH IN NESCAFE SUNRISE AD". Youtube. 12 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2015.

[90] "Ajith, actor, racer has another passion that took wings early - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.

[91] "Ajith to help Chennai MIT's drone mission - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.

[92] DriverDB (2003). "Formula BMW Asia 2003 standings". DriverDatabase. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2003.

[93] "India's Ajith Kumar signs up for Formula Two". FIA Formula Two Championship. MotorSport Vision. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2010.

[gauthamdealay-94] Moviebuzz (2010). "Details of Gautham- Ajith film". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2010.

[95] Menon, Priya (2010). "Kollywood star gets behind the wheel after six-year break". The Star. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.

[96] "Most talked about link-ups in Kollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2019.

[dinakaran1998-97] "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2022.

[98] "Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2022.

[99] yspy (14 May 2016). "REVEALED: Untold Love Affairs of Ajith – Kollyspy.com". Kollyspy.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.

[100] "I warned Ajith not to marry an actress: Director Ramesh Kanna". Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.

[retire-101] Kamath, Sudhish (26 April 2000). "Talk of the Town!". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2010.

[babyanoushka-102] "Ajith – Shalini, blessed with a baby girl". IndiaGlitz. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2008.

[103] "Parvathy Nair Lauds 'Yennai Arindhaal' Co-Star Ajith's Personality". International Business Times. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.

[kuttythala-104] Desk, Internet (2015). "It's a baby boy for Ajith and Shalini". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2015. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)

[kuttythala1-105] "Ajith – Shalini blessed with Kutty Thala". The Times of India. 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[lower-alpha 1]

[5]

[6]

[lower-alpha 2]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

[80]

[81]

[82]

[83]

[84]

[85]

[86]

[87]

[88]

[89]

[90]

[91]

[92]

[93]

[94]

[95]

[96]

[97]

[98]

[99]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{redirect|Ajit (actor)|the Hindi film actor|Ajit Khan|the Bengali film actor|Ajit Bandyopadhyay (actor)}}
+{{Short description|Indian actor, sports car racer (born 1971)}}
+{{redirect|Ajith (actor)|the Hindi film actor|Ajit Khan|the Bengali film actor|Ajit Bandyopadhyay (actor)}}
 {{for|the Indian footballer| Ajith Kumar (footballer)}}
-{{Short description|Film actor and motor car racer from India}}
-{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]], immediately after expiriation of previous long-term semi|small=yes}}
 {{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name               = Ajith Kumar
-| image              = Ajith Kumar at Irungattukottai Race Track.jpg
+| image              = Ajith_kumar_2019.jpg
-| caption            = Kumar at the Irungattukottai Race Track
+| caption            =  Kumar in 2019
+| other_names        =
 | birth_name         = Ajithkumar Subramaniam
 | birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|5|1}}<ref name=TOIDOB>{{cite news|title=Ajith celebrating his 41st birthday|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-01/news-interviews/31526182_1_billa-thala-ajith-chakri-toleti|access-date=27 August 2012|date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518165318/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-01/news-interviews/31526182_1_billa-thala-ajith-chakri-toleti|archive-date=18 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-| birth_place        = [[Secunderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]] (now [[Telangana]])<ref>{{citation|title=Ajith Kumar Biography|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/ajith-kumar/biography.html|access-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013060516/http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/ajith-kumar/biography.html|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| birth_place        =
-| alma_mater         = [[Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School]], [[Chennai]]
+| alma_mater         = <!-- only a post-secondary school graduated from; if more than one, use 'education' instead. -->
-| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|Racing Driver}}
+| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|race car driver}}
 | years_active       = 1990–present
 | spouse             = {{marriage|[[Shalini]]|2000}}
 | children           = 2
 }}
-'''Ajith Kumar''' (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in [[Tamil cinema]]. To date, Ajith has starred in over 50 films. Among his awards include four [[Vijay Awards]], three [[Cinema Express Awards]], three [[Filmfare Awards South]] and three [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]. In addition to his acting, he is also a motor car racer and participated in the [[MRF (company)|MRF]] Racing series (2010).
+'''Ajith Kumar''' (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in [[Tamil cinema]]. To date, he has starred in over 61 films, and his awards include four [[Vijay Awards]], three [[Cinema Express Awards]], three [[Filmfare Awards South]] and three [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]. In addition to his acting career, Ajith is also a [[Sports car racing|sports car racer]] and participated in the [[MRF (company)|MRF]] Racing series (2010). He became a [[race car driver]], competing in circuits around India in places such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. Based on the annual earnings of Indian celebrities, he was included in the ''[[Forbes India]]'' Celebrity 100 list three times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ajith Kumar - Forbes India Magazine|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/ajith-kumar/1819/103|website=Forbes India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728080011/https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/ajith-kumar/1819/103|url-status=live}}</ref>
-He began his career with a small role in the 1990 Tamil film ''[[En Veedu En Kanavar]]''. He established himself as a romantic hero with ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'' (1996), ''[[Aval Varuvala]]'' (1998) and ''[[Kaadhal Mannan]]'' (1998), and established himself as an [[action hero]] starting with the film ''[[Amarkalam]]'' (1999). Ajith's dual portrayal of twin brothers—where one is [[deaf-mute]]—in [[S. J. Suryah]]'s ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaali]]'' (1999) won him his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor]]. He earned critical acclaim for his dual role performance in the [[vigilante film]] ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'' (2001).<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kamath|first1=Sudhish|author-link=Sudhish Kamath|last2=Kannan|first2=Ramya|last3=Kumar|first3=S.Shiva|last4=Oppili|first4=P.|date=29 December 2000|title=Talk of the town|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231104959/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> In 2006, he starred in ''[[Varalaru]]'', in which he played three different roles. It became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2006.<ref name="rediff3">{{Cite web|title=Ajith's Top 10 Hits|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ajiths-top-10-hits-south/20150205.htm|last=Saraswathi|first=S.|date=5 February 2015|website=[[Rediff.com]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231115735/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ajiths-top-10-hits-south/20150205.htm|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> The following year he starred in two remakes{{mdash}}''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' (2007) and ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'' (2007),{{efn|''Kireedam'' was a remake of the [[Kireedam (1989 film)|namesake 1989 Malayalam film]] while ''Billa'' was a remake of the [[Billa (1980 film)|1980 Tamil film of the same name]].}} both of which earned him critical acclaim.<ref name="rediff3" /> Ajith played an [[antihero]] in ''[[Mankatha]]'' (2011),<ref name="NikhilHindu">{{Cite news|last=Raghavan|first=Nikhil|date=16 July 2011|title=What's on the cards?|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whats-on-the-cards/article2232919.ece|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231125128/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whats-on-the-cards/article2232919.ece|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> which became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mankatha takes best opening of 2011|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|date=2 September 2011|website=[[Sify]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130200/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|archive-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> His next release, ''[[Billa II]]'' (2012), was Tamil cinema's first [[prequel]].{{efn|The film was a prequel to his [[Billa (2007 film)|2007 film of the same name]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=29 April 2012 |title=The don of summer |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/the-don-of-summer/article3365450.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223120016/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/the-don-of-summer/article3365450.ece |archive-date=23 December 2016}}</ref>}}
+He began his career with a small role in the 1990 Tamil romantic drama ''[[En Veedu En Kanavar]]''. He established himself as a romantic hero with ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'' (1996), ''[[Aval Varuvala]]'' (1998) and ''[[Kaadhal Mannan]]'' (1998), and established himself as an [[action hero]] starting with the film ''[[Amarkalam]]'' (1999). Ajith's dual portrayal of twin brothers—where one is [[deaf-mute]]—in [[S. J. Suryah]]'s ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaali]]'' (1999) won him his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]]. He earned critical acclaim for his dual roles in the [[vigilante film]] ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'' (2001).<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kamath|first1=Sudhish|author-link=Sudhish Kamath|last2=Kannan|first2=Ramya|last3=Kumar|first3=S.Shiva|last4=Oppili|first4=P.|date=29 December 2000|title=Talk of the town|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231104959/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> In 2006, he starred in ''[[Varalaru]]'', in which he played three different roles. It became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2006, and earned him another Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="rediff3">{{cite web|title=Ajith's Top 10 Hits|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ajiths-top-10-hits-south/20150205.htm|last=Saraswathi|first=S.|date=5 February 2015|website=[[Rediff.com]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231115735/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ajiths-top-10-hits-south/20150205.htm|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> The following year he starred in two remakes{{mdash}}''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' (2007) and ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'' (2007),{{efn|''Kireedam'' was a remake of the [[Kireedam (1989 film)|namesake 1989 Malayalam film]] while ''Billa'' was a remake of the [[Billa (1980 film)|1980 Tamil film of the same name]].}} both of which earned him critical acclaim.<ref name="rediff3" /> Ajith played an [[antihero]] in ''[[Mankatha]]'' (2011),<ref name="NikhilHindu">{{Cite news|last=Raghavan|first=Nikhil|date=16 July 2011|title=What's on the cards?|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whats-on-the-cards/article2232919.ece|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231125128/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whats-on-the-cards/article2232919.ece|archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref> which became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mankatha takes best opening of 2011|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|date=2 September 2011|website=[[Sify]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130200/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|archive-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> His next release, ''[[Billa II]]'' (2012), was Tamil cinema's first prequel.{{efn|The film was a prequel to his [[Billa (2007 film)|2007 film of the same name]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=29 April 2012 |title=The don of summer |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/the-don-of-summer/article3365450.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223120016/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/the-don-of-summer/article3365450.ece |archive-date=23 December 2016}}</ref>}}
-Ajith became a [[race car driver]], competing in circuits around India in places such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. He has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and Malaysia. He drove in the 2003 Formula Asia BMW Championships.<ref name="thehindu.com" /> He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, [[Armaan Ebrahim]] and [[Parthiva Sureshwaren]].<ref name="formulatwo.com" /> Based on the annual earnings of Indian celebrities, he was included in the [[Forbes India|''Forbes'' ''India'']] Celebrity 100 list three times.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ajith Kumar - Forbes India Magazine|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/ajith-kumar/1819/103|website=Forbes India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728080011/https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/ajith-kumar/1819/103|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Ajith has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and Malaysia. He drove in the 2003 [[Formula BMW|Formula Asia BMW Championships]].<ref name="thehindu.com" /> He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, [[Armaan Ebrahim]] and [[Parthiva Sureshwaren]].<ref name="formulatwo.com" />
 ==Early life==
-Ajith was born on 1 May 1971, in [[Hyderabad]], [[India]].<ref name=TOIDOB /> His father P. Subramaniam is a Tamilian from [[Palakkad]], Kerala<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Pressure-mounts-but-Ajith-sticks-to-his-position/articleshow/5598198.cms |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831045250/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Pressure-mounts-but-Ajith-sticks-to-his-position/articleshow/5598198.cms |archive-date=31 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and his mother Mohini is [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] from [[Kolkata]], West Bengal.<ref name="thehindu_2007interview">{{cite news|title=The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai : It's all about choices|date=24 August 2007|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm|work=The Hindu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904082904/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm|archive-date=4 September 2009}}</ref> Ajith was the middle son out of three brothers, the others being Anup Kumar, an [[investor]], and Anil Kumar, an [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] graduate-turned-entrepreneur.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/beastoftraal/status/430668471005761536|title=Ajith Kumar's brother runs a social matchmaking site called Jodi365|first=Karthik|last=Srinivasan|date=4 February 2014|publisher=[[Twitter]]}}</ref>
+Ajith Kumar was born on 1 May 1971.<ref name=TOIDOB/> His father, P. Subramaniam (died 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Actor Ajith's father passes away of ill health at 84 |url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2023/03/24/actor-ajiths-father-passes-away-of-ill-health-at-84 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=[[DT Next]]}}</ref>), was a Malayali from [[Palakkad]], Kerala<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Pressure-mounts-but-Ajith-sticks-to-his-position/articleshow/5598198.cms |title=Pressure mounts but Ajith sticks to his position &#124; Chennai News - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=21 February 2010 |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831045250/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Pressure-mounts-but-Ajith-sticks-to-his-position/articleshow/5598198.cms |archive-date=31 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and his mother, Mohini, is [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] from [[Kolkata]], West Bengal.<ref name="thehindu_2007interview">{{cite news |title=The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai : It's all about choices |date=24 August 2007 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm |work=The Hindu|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904082904/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm|archive-date=4 September 2009}}</ref> Ajith was the middle son out of three brothers, the others being Anup Kumar, an investor, and Anil Kumar, an [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] graduate-turned-entrepreneur.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/beastoftraal/status/430668471005761536 |title=Ajith Kumar's brother runs a social matchmaking site called Jodi365 |first=Karthik |last=Srinivasan |date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref>
-Ajith dropped out of [[Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School]] during his [[tenth grade]], before he had completed his higher secondary schooling.<ref name="dropout">{{cite web|author=Rajitha|title=The Star Next Door|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=4 April 1997|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04ajit.htm|access-date=21 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074534/http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04ajit.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Through a family friend who worked with the [[Royal Enfield|Enfield]] company, Ajith was able to get a job as an apprentice and spent six months training to be a mechanic.<ref name="ajithstart">https://web.archive.org/web/20050210093203/http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/interviews/ajith.shtml</ref> He later quit the role at the insistence of his father, who wanted Ajith to have a [[White-collar worker|white-collar job]], and joined another family friend's garment exporting company as an apprentice. He eventually progressed to become a business developer and regularly travelled throughout the country on sales assignments, improving his English-speaking skills.<ref name="ajithstart"/> After resigning from the role, Ajith set up a textiles business distributing fabric alongside three other partners. The business venture underperformed prompting Ajith to take up another job in the garments industry.<ref name="ajithstart"/> During the period, Ajith also began working on modelling assignments alongside his work. He was notably scouted by [[P. C. Sreeram]] during the making of a commercial for [[Hercules Cycle and Motor Company]], who felt he had the appearance to become an actor.<ref name="ajithstart"/><ref name="dinakaran1998p2">https://web.archive.org/web/20040530161504/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/17-05-99/ajith2.htm</ref>
+Ajith dropped out of Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School during his [[tenth grade]], before he had completed his higher secondary schooling.<ref name="dropout">{{cite web |author=Rajitha |title=The Star Next Door |publisher=[[Rediff]] |date=4 April 1997 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04ajit.htm|access-date=21 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074534/http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04ajit.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Through a family friend who worked with the [[Royal Enfield|Enfield]] company, Ajith was able to get a job as an apprentice and spent six months training to be a mechanic.<ref name="ajithstart">{{cite web |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/interviews/ajith.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210093203/http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/interviews/ajith.shtml|archive-date=10 February 2005 |url-status=dead|title=டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு—Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!}}</ref> He later quit the role at the insistence of his father, who wanted Ajith to have a [[White-collar worker|white-collar job]], and joined another family friend's garment exporting company as an apprentice. He eventually progressed to become a business developer and regularly travelled throughout the country on sales assignments, improving his English-speaking skills.<ref name="ajithstart"/> After resigning from the role, Ajith set up a textiles business distributing fabric alongside three other partners. The business venture underperformed prompting Ajith to take up another job in the garments industry.<ref name="ajithstart"/> During the period, Ajith also began working on modelling assignments alongside his work. He was notably scouted by [[P. C. Sreeram]] during the making of a commercial for [[Hercules Cycle and Motor Company]], who felt he had the appearance to become an actor.<ref name="ajithstart"/><ref name="dinakaran1998p2">{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/17-05-99/ajith2.htm |title=Dinakaran |website=www.dinakaran.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040530161504/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/17-05-99/ajith2.htm |archive-date=30 May 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==Acting career==
-===1990–1999===
+===1990–1998===
-[[File:Art Director M. Prabhaharan with Mr. Ajith Kumar and Bhavana.jpg|thumb|Kumar and [[Bhavana (Malayalam actress)|Bhavana]] during the filming of ''[[Aasal]]'']]
-Ajith began his acting career through a one-scene appearance as a school child in ''[[En Veedu En Kanavar]]'' (1990). Through the recommendation of [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], whose son was a classmate of Ajith, he was cast in his first lead role in the Telugu romantic drama ''[[Prema Pusthakam]]'' (1993). However, the shoot of the film was stalled soon after production began, following the death of the film's director Gollapudi Srinivas.<ref name="cancel">{{cite web |author=Warrier, Shobha |title=Bad back, great future |publisher=[[Rediff]] |date=6 April 1997 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm |access-date=29 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214954/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, his first major theatrical release was the Tamil romantic drama ''[[Amaravathi (1993 film)|Amaravathi]]'' (1993), which Ajith had signed after being recommended to director [[Selva (director)|Selva]] by Balasubrahmanyam, who had seen parts of ''Prema Pusthakam'' prior to its delay.<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/spb-reveals-truth-about-ajith/articleshow/68356439.cms</ref> As the film went into post-production, Ajith was bed-ridden due to a racing injury while training for an amateur motor race. He underwent three major surgeries resulting in bed rest for one and a half years. As a result, his voice in the film was dubbed by actor [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]].<ref name="dropout"/> Following the injury, Ajith was keen to make up for lost time and signed on to play supporting roles. In the following years, he played character roles in the [[Arvind Swami]]-starrer ''[[Paasamalargal]]'' (1994) and [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]-starrer ''[[Rajavin Parvaiyile]]'' (1995). He was also seen in the family drama ''[[Pavithra]]'' (1994), which featured him as an ailing patient shown maternal affection from [[Raadhika]].<ref name="pavi">{{cite web|author=Vijayan, K.|title=Many flaws in this sentimental attempt|work=[[New Straits Times]]|date=19 December 1994|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IG8WAAAAIBAJ&pg=3164,3956753&dq=ajith+pavithra|access-date=19 September 2016|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011113213/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IG8WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3164%2C3956753&dq=ajith+pavithra|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dinakaran1998p2"/>
-Ajith's first commercially successful film as a lead actor was ''[[Aasai]]'' (1995). The film, directed by [[Vasanth]] and produced by [[Mani Ratnam]] featured him in the lead role opposite [[Suvalakshmi]], whose brother-in-law infatuates about her. The film became performed well at the box office and established Ajith as an upcoming actor in [[Tamil cinema|the Tamil film industry]].<ref name="rediff">{{cite web|title=Rediff on the NeT, Movies: An interview with Ajith Kumar|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|date=July 1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214954/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref><ref name=starEcentral>{{cite web|url=http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/26/movies/2359934&sec=movies|title=Tough-guy role|last=Chandran|first=Sheela|date=26 October 2008|work=The Star|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903090043/http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F10%2F26%2Fmovies%2F2359934&sec=movies|archive-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later played the lead in ''[[Kalloori Vaasal]]'', co-starring [[Prashanth (actor)|Prashanth]] and [[Pooja Bhatt]].<ref name="dropout"/> Ajith's second successful film came in the form of [[Award|National Award]] winning ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'', in which Ajith reunited with Agathiyan, the director of the earlier project ''Vaanmathi.''<ref name="southhitut">{{cite news|year=2009|title=Bollywood, here come the south stars!|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2009|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-25/news-interviews/28081837_1_hindi-version-first-film-allu-arjun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029033514/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-25/news-interviews/28081837_1_hindi-version-first-film-allu-arjun|archive-date=29 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film ''Kadhal Kottai'' paired him opposite [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]], with [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera Rajgopal]] playing a supporting role.<ref name="proposalo">{{cite web|author=Rajitha|title=Pyar to hona hi tha|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=15 September 1999|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm|access-date=11 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090458/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Ajith began his acting career through a one-scene appearance as a school child in ''[[En Veedu En Kanavar]]'' (1990). Through the recommendation of [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], whose son was a classmate of Ajith, he was cast in his first lead role in the Telugu romantic drama ''[[Prema Pusthakam]]'' (1993), which remains his only Telugu film to date. However, the shoot of the film was stalled soon after production began, following the death of the film's director Gollapudi Srinivas.<ref name="cancel">{{cite web |author=Warrier, Shobha |title=Bad back, great future |publisher=[[Rediff]] |date=6 April 1997 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm |access-date=29 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214954/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, his first major theatrical release was the Tamil romantic drama ''[[Amaravathi (1993 film)|Amaravathi]]'' (1993), which Ajith had signed after being recommended to director [[Selva (director)|Selva]] by Balasubrahmanyam, who had seen parts of ''Prema Pusthakam'' prior to its delay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/spb-reveals-truth-about-ajith/articleshow/68356439.cms|title = SPB reveals truth about Ajith - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> As the film went into post-production, Ajith was bed-ridden due to a racing injury while training for an amateur motor race. He underwent three major surgeries resulting in bed rest for one and a half years. As a result, his voice in the film was dubbed by actor [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]].<ref name="dropout"/> Following the injury, Ajith was keen to make up for lost time and signed on to play supporting roles. In the following years, he played character roles in the [[Arvind Swami]]-starrer ''[[Paasamalargal]]'' (1994) and [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]-starrer ''[[Rajavin Parvaiyile]]'' (1995). He was also seen in the family drama ''[[Pavithra (film)|Pavithra]]'' (1994), which featured him as an ailing patient shown maternal affection from [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Raadhika]].<ref name="pavi">{{cite web|author=Vijayan, K.|title=Many flaws in this sentimental attempt|work=[[New Straits Times]]|date=19 December 1994|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IG8WAAAAIBAJ&pg=3164,3956753|access-date=19 September 2016|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011113213/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IG8WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3164%2C3956753|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dinakaran1998p2"/>
-Ajith appeared in five films during 1997, with none of the projects doing well commercially. During the same period, he had entered into the film distribution business and had experienced losses as a result. Describing the period as a "cruel time", Ajith also continued to suffer from chronic back injuries and several of his other film commitments had become delayed.<ref name="dinakaran1999p1">https://web.archive.org/web/20030805205934/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/10-05-99/ajith1.htm</ref> A notable project among the five films was [[Amitabh Bachchan]]'s Tamil production ''[[Ullaasam]]'' (1997), in which he was paid a high salary of {{INRConvert|2|m|year=1996}} for the first time.<ref name="dropout"/>
+Ajith's first commercially successful film as a lead actor was the romantic thriller ''[[Aasai]]'' (1995). The film, directed by [[Vasanth]] and produced by [[Mani Ratnam]] featured him in the lead role opposite [[Suvalakshmi]], whose brother-in-law infatuates about her. It performed well at the box office and established Ajith as an upcoming actor in [[Tamil cinema|the Tamil film industry]].<ref name="rediff">{{cite web|title=Rediff on the NeT, Movies: An interview with Ajith Kumar|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|date=July 1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214954/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/06aji.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref><ref name=starEcentral>{{cite web|url=http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/26/movies/2359934&sec=movies|title=Tough-guy role|last=Chandran|first=Sheela|date=26 October 2008|work=The Star|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903090043/http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F10%2F26%2Fmovies%2F2359934&sec=movies|archive-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Aasai'' also earned him his first nomination for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]]. He later played the lead in ''[[Kalloori Vaasal]]'', co-starring [[Prashanth]] and [[Pooja Bhatt]].<ref name="dropout"/> Ajith's second successful film came in the form of [[Award|National Award]] winning ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'', in which Ajith reunited with Agathiyan, the director of the earlier project ''Vaanmathi.''<ref name="southhitut">{{cite news|year=2009|title=Bollywood, here come the south stars!|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2009|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-25/news-interviews/28081837_1_hindi-version-first-film-allu-arjun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029033514/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-25/news-interviews/28081837_1_hindi-version-first-film-allu-arjun|archive-date=29 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film ''Kadhal Kottai'' paired him opposite [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]], with [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera Rajgopal]] playing a supporting role.<ref name="proposalo">{{cite web|author=Rajitha|title=Pyar to hona hi tha|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=15 September 1999|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm|access-date=11 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090458/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Ajith returned in 1998 with another big, successful project in [[Saran (director)|Saran]]'s ''[[Kaadhal Mannan]]'', an action romantic comedy, setting the foundation for an expanding fan base.<ref name="dropout"/> He also began acting in [[Vasanth]]'s ''[[Nerukku Ner]]'', and was later replaced by [[Suriya (actor)|Suriya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jul/21spice.htm|title=Yukta signs her first film|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=21 July 2011|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516053658/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jul/21spice.htm|archive-date=16 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The following films ''[[Aval Varuvala]]'' and ''[[Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen]]'' also became successes, with the latter featuring Ajith in a guest role. Except for ''[[Uyirodu Uyiraga]]'', which performed poorly, his other three films released in 1998 and six in 1999 were box office hits. [[Ramesh Khanna]]'s ''[[Thodarum]]'' and [[Sundar C]]'s romantic drama ''[[Unnaithedi]]'' opposite [[Malavika (Tamil actress)|Malavika]] set the tone for a series of big successes.
+In 1997, Ajith appeared in five films with none of the projects doing well commercially. During the same period, he had entered into the film distribution business and had experienced losses as a result. Describing the period as a "cruel time", Ajith also continued to have chronic back injuries and several of his other film commitments had become delayed.<ref name="dinakaran1999p1">{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/10-05-99/ajith1.htm |title=Dinakaran |website=www.dinakaran.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030805205934/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/10-05-99/ajith1.htm |archive-date=5 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A notable project among the five films was [[Amitabh Bachchan]]'s Tamil production ''[[Ullaasam]]'' (1997), in which he was paid a high salary of {{INRConvert|2|m|year=1996}} for the first time.<ref name="dropout"/>
-===1999–2007===
+Ajith returned in 1998 with another big, successful project in [[Saran (director)|Saran]]'s ''[[Kaadhal Mannan]]'', an action romantic comedy, setting the foundation for an expanding fan base.<ref name="dropout"/> He also began acting in [[Vasanth]]'s ''[[Nerukku Ner]]'', and was later replaced by [[Suriya (actor)|Suriya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jul/21spice.htm|title=Yukta signs her first film|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=21 July 2011|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516053658/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jul/21spice.htm|archive-date=16 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The following films ''[[Aval Varuvala]]'' and ''[[Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen]]'' also became successes, with the latter featuring Ajith in a guest role alongside [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]]. Except for ''[[Uyirodu Uyiraga]]'', which performed poorly, his other three films released in 1998 were box office hits.
-[[File:English Vinglish shooting 03.jpg|thumb|left|Kumar and actress [[Sridevi]] on the set of ''[[English Vinglish]]'' (2012)]]
-[[S. J. Suryah]]'s thriller ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaali]]'', which portrayed him in dual roles for the first time opposite [[Simran (actress)|Simran]], became one of his biggest hits during that time.<ref name="cancel"/> 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 many [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil|awards for Filmfare's Best Actor]].<ref name="lvaalaaward">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok|title=Star-spangled show on cards|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=15 April 2000|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013145530/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|archive-date=13 October 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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".<ref name="lvaalai">{{cite web|author=Krishna, Sandya|year=1999|title=Vaali:Review|publisher=Indolink.com|url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Vaali_162432.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830015339/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Vaali_162432.html|archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> The two following roles in the drama films ''[[Anantha Poongatre|Anandha Poongatre]]'' and ''[[Nee Varuvai Ena]]'' also brought Ajith plaudits for his portrayals. His final film before the new millennium was ''[[Amarkalam]]'', directed by Saran and featuring [[Shalini]], whom he married shortly after the film. ''Amarkalam'' told the story of a neglected child who grew up and failed to show feelings of love or affection, becoming a gangster in the process, with Ajith's depiction of his rogue character appreciated by critics.<ref name="ahitamarkalam">{{cite web|author=Rajitha|year=2000|title=Kamal joins the rat race|publisher=[[Rediff]]|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129003006/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm|archive-date=29 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
-His next, ''[[Mugavaree]]'', won him commercial and critical praise.<ref name="mugapraise">{{cite web|author=Kumar, Ashok S.R|title=Hits and misses of the year that was|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=19 January 2001|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/19/stories/09190224.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126012232/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/19/stories/09190224.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013}}</ref> 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 from [[Rediff]], 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".<ref name="ahimuga">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=The hero as a human being|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=6 March 2000|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/mar/06muga.htm|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619130010/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/mar/06muga.htm|archive-date=19 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in [[A. R. Rahman]]'s 2000 musical ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]'', directed by [[Rajiv Menon]]. The film featured Ajith alongside prominent actor [[Mammootty|Mammooty]] and actresses [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan|Aishwarya Rai]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] and [[Srividya]].<ref name="blockbusterkku">{{cite web |title=Chennai's new cinematic idiom |work=The Hindu |date=15 May 2000 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/15/stories/09150221.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125104358/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/15/stories/09150221.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="kkkktabu">{{cite web|title=Kandukondain Kandukondain |publisher=Express India |date=10 July 2000 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014072652/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}</ref><ref name="kkkk2tabu">{{cite web|author=Jain, Mimmy |title=I have seen... and conquered |publisher=Express India |date=8 August 2000 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030429043410/http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |archive-date=29 April 2003 }}</ref> After giving six straight hits in 1999, and having had ''Mugavaree'' and ''Kandukondain Kandukondain'' in 2000 as successes, Ajith had an unsuccessful film, ''[[Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven]]'', co-starring Simran.<ref name="ahitamarkalam"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |title=rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry |publisher=Rediff |date=14 June 2000 |access-date=5 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129003006/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |archive-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+===1999–2008===
+[[File:English Vinglish shooting 03.jpg|thumb|left|Ajith and actress [[Sridevi]] on the set of ''[[English Vinglish]]'' (2012)]]
+Ramesh Khanna's ''[[Thodarum]]'' and Sundar C's romantic drama ''[[Unnai Thedi|Unnaithedi]]'' opposite Malavika set the tone for a series of big successes. [[S. J. Suryah]]'s thriller ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaali]]'', which portrayed Ajith in dual roles for the first time opposite [[Simran (actress)|Simran]], became one of his biggest hits at that time.<ref name="cancel"/> The film told the story of a deaf-mute brother setting his eyes on his younger brother's wife, with Ajith's portrayal of the two brothers winning him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="lvaalaaward">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok|title=Star-spangled show on cards|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=15 April 2000|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013145530/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|archive-date=13 October 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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".<ref name="lvaalai">{{cite web|author=Krishna, Sandya|year=1999|title=Vaali:Review|publisher=Indolink.com|url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Vaali_162432.html|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830015339/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Vaali_162432.html|archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> The two following roles in the drama films ''[[Anantha Poongatre|Anandha Poongatre]]'' and ''[[Nee Varuvai Ena]]'' also brought Ajith plaudits for his portrayals. His final film before the new millennium was ''[[Amarkalam]]'', directed by Saran and featuring [[Shalini]], whom he married shortly after the film. ''Amarkalam'' told the story of a neglected child who grew up and failed to show feelings of love or affection, becoming a gangster in the process, with Ajith's depiction of his rogue character appreciated by critics.<ref name="ahitamarkalam">{{cite web|author=Rajitha|year=2000|title=Kamal joins the rat race|publisher=[[Rediff]]|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129003006/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm|archive-date=29 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+His next, ''[[Mugavaree]]'', won him commercial and critical praise.<ref name="mugapraise">{{cite web|author=Kumar, Ashok S.R|title=Hits and misses of the year that was|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=19 January 2001|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/19/stories/09190224.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126012232/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/19/stories/09190224.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 January 2013}}</ref> 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 from [[Rediff]], 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".<ref name="ahimuga">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=The hero as a human being|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=6 March 2000|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/mar/06muga.htm|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619130010/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/mar/06muga.htm|archive-date=19 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in [[A. R. Rahman]]'s 2000 musical ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]'', directed by [[Rajiv Menon]]. The film featured Ajith alongside prominent actor [[Mammootty|Mammooty]] and actresses [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan|Aishwarya Rai]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] and [[Srividya]].<ref name="blockbusterkku">{{cite web |title=Chennai's new cinematic idiom |work=The Hindu |date=15 May 2000 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/15/stories/09150221.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125104358/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/15/stories/09150221.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=25 January 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="kkkktabu">{{cite web|title=Kandukondain Kandukondain |publisher=Express India |date=10 July 2000 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014072652/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}</ref><ref name="kkkk2tabu">{{cite web|author=Jain, Mimmy |title=I have seen... and conquered |publisher=Express India |date=8 August 2000 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030429043410/http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |archive-date=29 April 2003 }}</ref> After giving six straight hits in 1999, and having had ''Mugavaree'' and ''Kandukondain Kandukondain'' in 2000 as successes, Ajith had an unsuccessful film, ''[[Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven]]'', co-starring Simran.<ref name="ahitamarkalam"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |title=rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry |publisher=Rediff |date=14 June 2000 |access-date=5 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129003006/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |archive-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 [[File:Art Director M. Prabhaharan at the shooting spot of Aasal.jpg|thumb|Ajith with art director [[M. Prabhaharan]] on location while filming ''Aasal'']]
-In 2001, Ajith appeared in three commercially successful Tamil films. ''[[Dheena]]'' co-starring [[Laila (actress)|Laila]] and [[Suresh Gopi]], released at [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] and marked the beginning of a new image of Ajith as an action hero who would appeal to the masses.<ref name="vmasse">{{cite news|author=Rao, Subha|title=Race (ing) to be a Star|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/06/07/stories/2004060701250300.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=7 June 2004|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825190017/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/06/07/stories/2004060701250300.htm|archive-date=25 August 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> He earned the nickname, "Thala" (Leader), from this film. In the same year, he was offered a role in ''[[Nandha]]'', which he rejected and was replaced by [[Suriya]], the eldest son of actor [[Sivakumar]].<ref name=rf1>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/06sl1-surya-on-his-gajini.htm|title=Surya looks back at his Ghajinidays|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=6 January 2009|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516052427/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/06sl1-surya-on-his-gajini.htm|archive-date=16 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> His next was the much-hyped thriller ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'', portraying him in ten different get-ups and it became a commercial success at the box office.<ref name="citizen hype">{{cite web|author=Kamath, Sudhish|title=Talk of the Town|date=29 December 2000|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231104959/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|archive-date=31 December 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> A role in the family drama ''[[Poovellam Un Vasam]]'' followed opposite [[Jyothika]] and was a success commercially and critically, earning a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prizes)|Special Best Actor Award from the Tamil Nadu State]].<ref name="pvhit">{{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=1 October 2004|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041024060415/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html| archive-date= 24 October 2004 | url-status=live}}</ref> The year ended off with an appearance in [[Santosh Sivan]]'s Hindi project ''[[Asoka (2001 film)|Asoka]]'', in which Ajith played as one of the [[antagonist]] against [[Shah Rukh Khan]], which did not perform well.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/15/stories/2008021550580100.htm |title=Friday Review Hyderabad : Troubled chapters from history |date=15 February 2008 |location=Chennai, India |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104100517/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/15/stories/2008021550580100.htm |archive-date=4 November 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2002, Ajith appeared in three films, the first two, ''[[Red (2002 film)|Red]]''<ref>{{cite web |author=HostOnNet.com |url=http://movies.bizhat.com/review_villain.php |title=BizHat.com – Villain Review. Ajith, Meena, Kiran, Nasser, Ramesh Khanna, Vijay Kuma |publisher=Movies.bizhat.com |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104162800/http://movies.bizhat.com/review_villain.php |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Raja (2002 film)|Raja]]''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/03/stories/2004120302750600.htm |title=Entertainment / Cinema : Back after a gap |date=3 December 2004 |location=Chennai, India |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110044254/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/03/stories/2004120302750600.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> being box office disappointments, the former further building up his image as an action hero. The third film ''[[Villain (2002 film)|Villain]]'', in which Ajith appeared in dual roles, one as a mentally disabled person and another as a caring brother, became successful and earned his second [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil|Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award]].<ref name="villainhit">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Ajit – Fast and Furious|publisher=[[Sify]]|date=25 July 2003|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13208723&vsv=71|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219042059/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13208723&vsv=71|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="villainaward">{{cite news|author=PTI|title=Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-17/news-interviews/27262867_1_film-awards-lal-jose-girish-kasaravalli|date=17 May 2003|access-date=30 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415074655/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=747-C1rHALI&feature=relmfu|archive-date=15 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In 2001, Ajith appeared in three commercially successful Tamil films. ''[[Dheena]]'' co-starring [[Laila (actress)|Laila]] and [[Suresh Gopi]], released at [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] and marked the beginning of a new image of Ajith as an action hero who would appeal to the masses.<ref name="vmasse">{{cite news|author=Rao, Subha|title=Race (ing) to be a Star|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/06/07/stories/2004060701250300.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=7 June 2004|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825190017/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/06/07/stories/2004060701250300.htm|archive-date=25 August 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> He earned the nickname, "Thala" (Leader), from this film. In the same year, he was offered a role in ''[[Nandha]]'', which he rejected and was replaced by [[Suriya]], the eldest son of actor [[Sivakumar]].<ref name=rf1>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/06sl1-surya-on-his-gajini.htm|title=Surya looks back at his Ghajinidays|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=6 January 2009|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516052427/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/06sl1-surya-on-his-gajini.htm|archive-date=16 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> His next was the much-hyped thriller ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'', portraying him in ten different get-ups and it became a commercial success at the box office.<ref name="citizen hype">{{cite web|author=Kamath, Sudhish|title=Talk of the Town|date=29 December 2000|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161231104959/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/29/stories/0429401w.htm|archive-date=31 December 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> A role in the family drama ''[[Poovellam Un Vasam]]'' followed opposite [[Jyothika]] and was a critical and commercial success, earning him the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize|Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award]] and his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="pvhit">{{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years|website=IndiaGlitz|date=1 October 2004|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041024060415/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html| archive-date= 24 October 2004 | url-status=live}}</ref> The year ended off with an appearance in [[Santosh Sivan]]'s Hindi project ''[[Asoka (2001 film)|Asoka]]'', in which Ajith played as one of the [[antagonist]] against [[Shah Rukh Khan]], which did not perform well.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/15/stories/2008021550580100.htm |title=Friday Review Hyderabad : Troubled chapters from history |date=15 February 2008 |location=Chennai, India |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104100517/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/15/stories/2008021550580100.htm |archive-date=4 November 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2002, Ajith appeared in three films, the first two, ''[[Red (2002 film)|Red]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/yeh-dil-aashiqanaa/article28570347.ece|title="Red"|date=25 January 2002|work=The Hindu|last=Rangarajan|first=Malathi|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231054830/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/red/article28570343.ece|archive-date=31 December 2019}}</ref> and ''[[Raja (2002 film)|Raja]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=11 July 2002 |title=Raja |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/07/12/stories/2002071200790200.htm |url-status=usurped |access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030129183812/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/07/12/stories/2002071200790200.htm |archive-date=29 January 2003}}</ref> being box office disappointments, the former further building up his image as an action hero. The third film ''[[Villain (2002 film)|Villain]]'', directed by [[K. S. Ravikumar]], portrayed Ajith in dual roles, one as a mentally disabled person and another as a caring brother. The film emerged as a commercial successf and earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="villainhit">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Ajit – Fast and Furious|website=[[Sify]]|date=25 July 2003|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13208723&vsv=71|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219042059/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13208723&vsv=71|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="villainaward">{{cite news|author=PTI|title=Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-17/news-interviews/27262867_1_film-awards-lal-jose-girish-kasaravalli|date=17 May 2003|access-date=30 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415074655/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=747-C1rHALI&feature=relmfu|archive-date=15 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+From 2003 through 2005, Ajith appeared in fewer films due to his career in motor racing becoming more prominent.<ref name="vaaattitude">{{cite news|author=Rao, Subha|title=A for attitude|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/11/24/stories/2003112401580100.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=24 November 2003|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925172939/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/11/24/stories/2003112401580100.htm|archive-date=25 September 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2003 saw the release of his long-delayed ''[[Ennai Thalatta Varuvala]]'' and the police drama ''[[Anjaneya (film)|Anjaneya]]'', both failing commercially. In that period, three successful films, namely ''[[Saamy]]'', ''[[Kaakha Kaakha]]'' and ''[[Ghajini (2005 film)|Ghajini]]'', were turned away by the actor due to various reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/ajith-kumar-lesser-known-facts/ajith-kumar-lesser-known-facts/photostory/48175761.cms|title=Ajith Kumar: Lesser known facts|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
+His next film, ''[[Jana (film)|Jana]]'' with [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]], also became a big failure, with the Saran film ''[[Attahasam|Attagasam]]'', being his only hit in the period.<ref name="vleadatte">{{cite web|title=Attagasam leads the race|website=IndiaGlitz|date=16 November 2004|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/11416.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041116203825/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/11416.html| archive-date= 16 November 2004 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film saw Ajith portray dual roles, with a song "Thala Deepavali", penned to promote his action image. In 2005, the failure of the [[N. Lingusamy|Linguswamy]] film ''[[Ji (film)|Ji]]'', despite garnering positive reviews and taking a strong opening, saw Ajith take a sabbatical from acting to re-work his image.<ref name="jigood">{{cite news|author=Pillai, Sreedhar|title=King of Opening is back!|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/02/12/stories/2005021200420200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=12 February 2005|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903024911/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/02/12/stories/2005021200420200.htm|archive-date=3 September 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="jiflope">{{cite web|title=Ji' collapses, 'Constantine' rises!|website=[[Sify]]|date=21 February 2005|url=http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13675478|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050915085544/http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13675478|archive-date=15 September 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Of the five films released between 2003 and 2005, his only box office hit was ''Attagasam''.
-From 2003 through 2005, Ajith appeared in fewer films due to his career in motor racing becoming more prominent.<ref name="vaaattitude">{{cite news|author=Rao, Subha|title=A for attitude|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/11/24/stories/2003112401580100.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=24 November 2003|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925172939/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/11/24/stories/2003112401580100.htm|archive-date=25 September 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2003 saw the release of his long-delayed ''[[Ennai Thalatta Varuvala]]'' and the police drama ''[[Anjaneya (film)|Anjaneya]]'', both failing commercially. In that period, three successful films, namely ''[[Saamy]]'', ''[[Kaakha Kaakha]]'' and ''[[Ghajini (2005 film)|Ghajini]]'', were turned away by the actor due to various reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/ajith-kumar-lesser-known-facts/ajith-kumar-lesser-known-facts/photostory/48175761.cms|title=Ajith Kumar: Lesser known facts|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
+During 2006, Ajith returned from his hiatus by appearing in [[P. Vasu]]'s ''[[Paramasivan]]'' for which he had lost twenty kilograms to portray the lead role.<ref name="twentyloss">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=P Vasu: Ready for Paramasivan|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=11 January 2006|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/11vasu.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060113032912/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/11vasu.htm| archive-date= 13 January 2006 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film enjoyed a moderate success, scoring over Vijay's ''[[Aathi]]'', which also released in the same week, at the box office.<ref name="parmaAjit">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=Ajith vs Vijay this Pongal|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=11 January 2007|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/10slid1.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070112223628/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/10slid1.htm| archive-date= 12 January 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> Critics from [[The Hindu]] stated that 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.<ref name="paramasivangood">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Mlaathi|title=Going in for a much-changed look|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/20/stories/2006012000340200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=20 January 2006|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903201638/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/20/stories/2006012000340200.htm|archive-date=3 September 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> Furthermore, for ''Paramasivan'' and his two other projects in 2006, Ajith sported long hair, which was being grown for [[Bala (director)|Bala]]'s project ''[[Naan Kadavul]]'', which Ajith eventually opted out of.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/23naan.htm|title=More controversy for Naan Kadavul|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=23 June 2006|access-date=11 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129065922/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/23naan.htm|archive-date=29 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, his next film, [[AVM Productions]]'s, ''[[Thirupathi (2006 Tamil film)|Thirupathi]]'', directed by [[Perarasu]] performed above average business at the box office, despite garnering poor reviews, with [[Rediff]] critics citing that the film is "anything but sensible", but that Ajith "salvages the situation with a spirited performance".<ref name="thirupathi review">{{cite web|author=Sudha, S|title=Tirupathi: Anything but sensible|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=17 April 2006|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/17tir.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060430182457/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/17tir.htm| archive-date= 30 April 2006 | url-status=live}}</ref> Ajith summed up a successful comeback by the release of his long-delayed action drama ''[[Varalaru]]'', which went on to become his first biggest success. The [[K. S. Ravikumar]] film co-starring [[Asin]], portrayed Ajith in three roles, including that of a classical dancer, with his portrayals being critically praised.<ref name="Varalaru">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Malathi|title=In the race, surely – Varalaaru|date=27 January 2006|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/27/stories/2006102700060200.htm|location=Chennai, India|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819110816/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/27/stories/2006102700060200.htm|archive-date=19 August 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="varaalaas">{{cite web|author=Abbhi, Athisay|year=2006|title=Ajith all the way in Varalaaru|publisher=[[Rediff]]|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23var.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013073849/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23var.htm| archive-date= 13 October 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> Moreover, the film earned Ajith his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="varafilm">{{cite web|title=Ajith, Bhavana win Filmfare awards|website=IndiaGlitz|date=1 August 2007|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32716.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070823153903/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32716.html| archive-date= 23 August 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, media reports hinted that the actor would do a project with [[S. Shankar|Shankar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2007/shankar-ajith-090407.html|title=Shankar team-up with Ajith|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|year=2007|access-date=11 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514170007/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2007/shankar-ajith-090407.html|archive-date=14 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ajith's first release in 2007, ''[[Aalwar]]'', became a debacle at the box office, with his previous film still continuing to run in theatres even after ''Aalwar'' had stopped its brief theatrical run.<ref name="aaklwarfail">{{cite web|author=Nath, Aparna|title='Pokiri' the only Pongal hit|publisher=Nowrunning.com|date=22 January 2007|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/pokiri-the-only-pongal-hit/9272/story.htm|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211133454/http://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/pokiri-the-only-pongal-hit/9272/story.htm|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'', a remake of the 1989 [[National Film Award (India)|National Award]]-winning [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film]] of the same name, was released to positive reviews, with the film also becoming a moderate success.<ref name="kireedan">{{cite web|title='Kireedom' is a box office hit!|publisher=OneIndia.com|date=23 July 2007|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23072007-4.shtml|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518074021/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23072007-4.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the shooting of the film, Ajith developed a further spinal injury, a recurrence of his problem earlier in his career.<ref name="injuryajith">{{cite web|year=2007|title=Ajith fans on sms campaign|website=IndiaGlitz|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/29058.html|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124092135/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/29058.html|archive-date=24 November 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
-His next film, ''[[Jana (film)|Jana]]'' with [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]], also became a big failure, with the Saran film ''[[Attahasam|Attagasam]]'', being his only hit in the period.<ref name="vleadatte">{{cite web|title=Attagasam leads the race|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=16 November 2004|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/11416.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041116203825/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/11416.html| archive-date= 16 November 2004 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film saw Ajith portray dual roles, with a song "Thala Deepavali", penned to promote his action image. In 2005, the failure of the [[N. Lingusamy|Linguswamy]] film ''[[Ji (film)|Ji]]'', despite garnering positive reviews and taking a strong opening, saw Ajith take a sabbatical from acting to re-work his image.<ref name="jigood">{{cite news|author=Pillai, Sreedhar|title=King of Opening is back!|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/02/12/stories/2005021200420200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=12 February 2005|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903024911/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/02/12/stories/2005021200420200.htm|archive-date=3 September 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="jiflope">{{cite web|title=Ji' collapses, 'Constantine' rises!|publisher=[[Sify]]|date=21 February 2005|url=http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13675478|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050915085544/http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13675478|archive-date=15 September 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Of the five films released between 2003 and 2005, his only box office hit was ''Attagasam''.
+Ajith then starred in ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'', a remake of the 1980 [[Rajinikanth]]-starrer [[Billa (1980 film)|of the same name]]. The [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]]-directorial fetched critical praise for Ajith, becoming a trend-setter for stylish art direction and cinematography in India.<ref name="Billajit">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Malathi|title=Billa beats boredom|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/12/21/stories/2007122150090300.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=21 December 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071223102715/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/12/21/stories/2007122150090300.htm| archive-date= 23 December 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]]| url-status=dead}}</ref> ''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. ''Billa'' also earned him his sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. After ''Billa'', Ajith appeared in the film, [[Ayngaran International]]'s production ''[[Aegan]]'', directed by the choreographer turned director [[Raju Sundaram]]. The film, a remake of the 2004 [[Hindi]] comedy ''[[Main Hoon Na]]'', received mixed reviews and was a failure at the box office.<ref name="Aegan">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Aegan:Movie Review|website=[[Sify]]|date=24 October 2008|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?cid=2429&ctid=5&id=14784482|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120020544/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14784482&ctid=5&cid=2429|archive-date=20 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-During 2006, Ajith returned from his hiatus by appearing in [[P. Vasu]]'s ''[[Paramasivan]]'' for which he had lost twenty kilograms to portray the lead role.<ref name="twentyloss">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=P Vasu: Ready for Paramasivan|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=11 January 2006|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/11vasu.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060113032912/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/11vasu.htm| archive-date= 13 January 2006 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film enjoyed a moderate success, scoring over Vijay's ''[[Aathi]]'', which also released in the same week, at the box office.<ref name="parmaAjit">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|title=Ajith vs Vijay this Pongal|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=11 January 2007|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/10slid1.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070112223628/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/10slid1.htm| archive-date= 12 January 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> Critics from [[The Hindu]] stated that 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.<ref name="paramasivangood">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Mlaathi|title=Going in for a much-changed look|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/20/stories/2006012000340200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=20 January 2006|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903201638/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/20/stories/2006012000340200.htm|archive-date=3 September 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> Furthermore, for ''Paramasivan'' and his two other projects in 2006, Ajith sported long hair, which was being grown for [[Bala (director)|Bala]]'s project ''[[Naan Kadavul]]'', which Ajith eventually opted out of.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/23naan.htm|title=More controversy for Naan Kadavul|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=23 June 2006|access-date=11 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129065922/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/23naan.htm|archive-date=29 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, his next film, [[AVM Productions]]'s, ''[[Thirupathi (2006 Tamil film)|Thirupathi]]'', directed by [[Perarasu]] performed above average business at the box office, despite garnering poor reviews, with [[Rediff]] critics citing that the film is "anything but sensible", but that Ajith "salvages the situation with a spirited performance".<ref name="thirupathi review">{{cite web|author=Sudha, S|title=Tirupathi: Anything but sensible|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=17 April 2006|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/17tir.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060430182457/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/17tir.htm| archive-date= 30 April 2006 | url-status=live}}</ref> Ajith summed up a successful comeback by the release of his long-delayed film ''[[Varalaru]]'', which went on to become his first biggest success. The [[K. S. Ravikumar]] film co-starring [[Asin]], portrayed Ajith in three roles, including that of a classical dancer, with his portrayals being critically praised.<ref name="Varalaru">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Malathi|title=In the race, surely – Varalaaru|date=27 January 2006|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/27/stories/2006102700060200.htm|location=Chennai, India|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819110816/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/27/stories/2006102700060200.htm|archive-date=19 August 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="varaalaas">{{cite web|author=Abbhi, Athisay|year=2006|title=Ajith all the way in Varalaaru|publisher=[[Rediff]]|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23var.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013073849/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/23var.htm| archive-date= 13 October 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> Moreover, the film earned Ajith his third Filmfare Best Actor Award.<ref name="varafilm">{{cite web|title=Ajith, Bhavana win Filmfare awards|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=1 August 2007|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32716.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070823153903/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32716.html| archive-date= 23 August 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, media reports hinted that the actor would do a project with [[S. Shankar|Shankar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2007/shankar-ajith-090407.html|title=Shankar team-up with Ajith|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|year=2007|access-date=11 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514170007/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2007/shankar-ajith-090407.html|archive-date=14 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ajith's first release in 2007, ''[[Aalwar]]'', became a debacle at the box office, with his previous film still continuing to run in theatres even after ''Aalwar'' had stopped its brief theatrical run.<ref name="aaklwarfail">{{cite web|author=Nath, Aparna|title='Pokiri' the only Pongal hit|publisher=Nowrunning.com|date=22 January 2007|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/pokiri-the-only-pongal-hit/9272/story.htm|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211133454/http://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/pokiri-the-only-pongal-hit/9272/story.htm|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'', a remake of the 1989 [[National Film Award (India)|National Award]] winning [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film]] of the same name, was released to positive reviews, with the film also becoming a moderate success.<ref name="kireedan">{{cite web|title='Kireedom' is a box office hit!|publisher=OneIndia.com|date=23 July 2007|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23072007-4.shtml|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518074021/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23072007-4.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> During the shooting of the film, Ajith developed a further spinal injury, a recurrence of his problem earlier in his career.<ref name="injuryajith">{{cite web|year=2007|title=Ajith fans on sms campaign|publisher=Indiaglitz|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/29058.html|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124092135/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/29058.html|archive-date=24 November 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
+===2010–2019===
+[[File:Ajith_Kumar_at_Irungattukottai_Race_Track.jpg|thumb|Ajith in 2010]]
+Following a year of production, Ajith's ''[[Aasal]]'', released 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 bigger expectations.<ref name="Visaasal">{{cite news|year=2010|title=Ajith's 'Aasal' hits screens this Friday|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2 February 2010|url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/Regional-/Tamil/Ajiths-Asal-hits-screens-this-Friday/articleshow/5526903.cms|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212210225/http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/Regional-/Tamil/Ajiths-Asal-hits-screens-this-Friday/articleshow/5526903.cms|archive-date=12 February 2010}}</ref>
-Ajith then starred in ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'', a remake of the 1980 [[Rajinikanth]] starrer [[Billa (1980 film)|of the same name]]. The [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]] directorial fetched critical praise for Ajith, becoming a trend-setter for stylish art direction and cinematography in India.<ref name="Billajit">{{cite news|author=Rangarajan, Malathi|title=Billa beats boredom|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/12/21/stories/2007122150090300.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=21 December 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071223102715/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/12/21/stories/2007122150090300.htm| archive-date= 23 December 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]]| url-status=dead}}</ref> ''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.
+After a second foray into motor racing, Ajith signed a film directed by [[Venkat Prabhu]], titled ''[[Mankatha]]'', which notably became his 50th project.<ref>{{cite web|year=2010|title=MANKATHA TABLE SET FOR PLAY|website=Behindwoods|access-date=16 October 2010|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-10-03/mankatha-premji-amaran-15-10-10.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101018033942/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-10-03/mankatha-premji-amaran-15-10-10.html| archive-date= 18 October 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film featured him in a full-length negative role as Vinayak Mahadevan, a suspended police officer with a lust for money. His performance and his decision to portray a character with negative shade, breaking the stereotype hero image in Tamil cinema,<ref name="sify2">{{cite web|title=Mankatha takes best opening of 2011|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=9 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130200/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|archive-date=9 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rangarajan|first=Malathi|title=A gutsy game!|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2420824.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 September 2011|location=Chennai, India|date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123015512/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2420824.ece|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> were lauded by critics, with reviewers from ''[[Sify]]'' and ''[[Rediff]]'' terming the film as an "out and out Ajith film" that worked "only because of Ajith".<ref name="sify1">{{cite web|title=Movie review: Mankatha|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-review-tamil-14978052.html|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629171600/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-review-tamil-14978052.html|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="rediff1">{{cite web|last=Srinivasan|first=Pavithra|title=Review:Mankatha works only because of Ajith|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-mankatha/20110831.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309061745/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-mankatha/20110831.htm|archive-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 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",<ref name="sify1"/> while the latter wrote that practically "he carried the whole film on his capable shoulders".<ref name="rediff1"/> ''Mankatha'' emerged as a commercial success and earned him his seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="sify2"/>
-===2008–present===
+Ajith then starred in ''[[Billa II]]'', a sequel to his 2007 film ''Billa'', which released on 13 July 2012. Reviewers appreciated Ajith's on-screen presence and stunts but blamed him for the choice of story and the director.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/billa-2-review-tamil-15002888.html |title=Movie Review : Billa-2 |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003054201/http://www.sify.com/movies/billa-2-review-tamil-15002888.html |archive-date=3 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-12-02/billa-ii-review.html |title=Billa Ii Review – Billa Ii Movie Review |website=Behindwoods |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928003826/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-12-02/billa-ii-review.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-billa-2-fails-to-meet-the-expectations/20120713.htm|title=Review: Billa 2 fails to meet the expectations|publisher=Rediff|date=13 July 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215204/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-billa-2-fails-to-meet-the-expectations/20120713.htm|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Billa-2/movie-review/14864866.cms|title=Billa 2 movie review|work=The Times of India|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114142518/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Billa-2/movie-review/14864866.cms|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12833.html |title=Billa II Tamil Movie Review |website=IndiaGlitz |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190402/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12833.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, the film performed poorly at the box office.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171216005710/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Billa-II-flops-at-the-US-UK-box-office/articleshow/15313346.cms Billa II flops at the US & UK box office – Times of India]. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1 August 2012). Retrieved on 2 July 2016.</ref>
-[[File:JLD with Ajith kumar.jpg|thumb|Kumar with JLD on set of ''Nerkonda Paarvai'']]
+He starred in [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]]'s ''[[Arrambam]]'', alongside [[Arya (actor)|Arya]], [[Nayantara]] and [[Taapsee Pannu]], which was released on 31 October, and earned positive reviews from both critics and audience.<ref name=Arrambam>{{cite news|last=Arrambam|first=release date|title=Ajith 53|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-Arrambam-promise-a-lot/articleshow/21504833.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801085208/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-Arrambam-promise-a-lot/articleshow/21504833.cms|archive-date=1 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Arrambam'' earned him his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. His next film was ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'', directed by [[Siva (director)|Siva]] and co-starring [[Tamannaah]], which was released on [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] 2014,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-film-with-Siva-is-titled-Veeram/articleshow/21760908.cms|title=Ajith's film with Siva is titled Veeram|work=The Times of India|date=12 August 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831110106/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-film-with-Siva-is-titled-Veeram/articleshow/21760908.cms|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> which also earned positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.co.in/039veeram039-review-roundup-complete-masala-entertainer-for-ajith039s-fans-533864|title = Veeram' Review Roundup: Complete Masala Entertainer for Ajith's Fans|date = 11 January 2014|access-date = 27 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150516015032/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/039veeram039-review-roundup-complete-masala-entertainer-for-ajith039s-fans-533864|archive-date = 16 May 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> Ajith's next film was ''[[Yennai Arindhaal]]'', with [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]] as director.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Thala55-titled-Yennai-Arindhaal/articleshow/44971868.cms | title=Thala55 titled 'Yennai Arindhaal' | work=The Times of India | date=30 October 2014 | access-date=30 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030043219/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Thala55-titled-Yennai-Arindhaal/articleshow/44971868.cms | archive-date=30 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Ajith's performance as a cop was widely praised with a critic calling it "Ajith's best since ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]''".<ref>{{cite news|title=The hero has a name|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece|website=The Hindu|date=7 February 2015|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109100615/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Both ''Veeram'' and ''Yennai Arindhaal'' earned him his ninth and tenth nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. Ajith worked with Siva again in ''[[Vedalam]]'' (2015), in which critics praised his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vedalam/vedalam-review.html |title=Vedalam (aka) Vedhalam review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507193157/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vedalam/vedalam-review.html |archive-date=7 May 2016 |work=Behindwoods.com|date=10 November 2015}}</ref> His latest project is [[Vivegam]] which received mixed-to-negative reviews with critics citing illogical scenes and average screenplay.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vivegam Review {3/5}: Action is what Vivegam promises and it is what the film offers – bangs for every buck|website=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/vivegam/movie-review/60201826.cms|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vivegam/vivegam-review.html|title=Vivegam (aka) Vivekam review|website=Behindwoods|date=24 August 2017|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005433/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vivegam/vivegam-review.html|archive-date=22 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His next release, ''[[Viswasam]]'', was released on Pongal festival of 2019. Ajith later starred in ''[[Nerkonda Paarvai]]'', remake of the Hindi film, ''[[Pink (2016 film)|Pink]]'' (2016), which was released in the same year.
-After ''Billa'', Ajith appeared in the film, [[Ayngaran International]]'s production ''[[Aegan]]'', directed by the choreographer turned director [[Raju Sundaram]]. The film, a remake of the 2004 [[Hindi]] comedy ''[[Main Hoon Na]]'', received mixed reviews and was a failure at the box office.<ref name="Aegan">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Aegan:Movie Review|publisher=[[Sify]]|date=24 October 2008|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?cid=2429&ctid=5&id=14784482|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120020544/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14784482&ctid=5&cid=2429|archive-date=20 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-Following a year of production, Ajith's ''[[Asal (film)|Aasal]]'', released 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 bigger expectations.<ref name="Visaasal">{{cite news|year=2010|title=Ajith's 'Aasal' hits screens this Friday|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2 February 2010|url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/Regional-/Tamil/Ajiths-Asal-hits-screens-this-Friday/articleshow/5526903.cms|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212210225/http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/Regional-/Tamil/Ajiths-Asal-hits-screens-this-Friday/articleshow/5526903.cms|archive-date=12 February 2010}}</ref>
-After a second foray into motor racing, Ajith signed a film directed by [[Venkat Prabhu]], titled ''[[Mankatha]]'', which notably became his 50th project.<ref>{{cite web|year=2010|title=MANKATHA TABLE SET FOR PLAY|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=16 October 2010|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-10-03/mankatha-premji-amaran-15-10-10.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101018033942/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-10-03/mankatha-premji-amaran-15-10-10.html| archive-date= 18 October 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref> The film featured him in a full-length negative role as Vinayak Mahadevan, a suspended police officer with a lust for money. His performance and his decision to portray a character with negative shade, breaking the stereotype hero image in Tamil cinema,<ref name="sify2">{{cite web|title=Mankatha takes best opening of 2011|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=9 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130200/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-takes-best-opening-of-2011-news-tamil-ljbmvmccafa.html|archive-date=9 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rangarajan|first=Malathi|title=A gutsy game!|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2420824.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 September 2011|location=Chennai, India|date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123015512/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2420824.ece|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> were lauded by critics, with reviewers from ''[[Sify]]'' and ''[[Rediff]]'' terming the film as an "out and out Ajith film" that worked "only because of Ajith".<ref name="sify1">{{cite web|title=Movie review: Mankatha|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-review-tamil-14978052.html|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629171600/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankatha-review-tamil-14978052.html|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="rediff1">{{cite web|last=Srinivasan|first=Pavithra|title=Review:Mankatha works only because of Ajith|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-mankatha/20110831.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309061745/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-mankatha/20110831.htm|archive-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 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",<ref name="sify1"/> while the latter wrote that practically "he carried the whole film on his capable shoulders".<ref name="rediff1"/> ''Mankatha'' became a financially successful venture.<ref name="sify2"/>
+===2022-present===
-Ajith then starred in ''[[Billa II]]'', a sequel to his 2007 film ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'', which released on 13 July 2012. Reviewers appreciated Ajith's on-screen presence and stunts but blamed him for the choice of story and the director.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/billa-2-review-tamil-15002888.html |title=Movie Review : Billa-2 |publisher=Sify |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003054201/http://www.sify.com/movies/billa-2-review-tamil-15002888.html |archive-date=3 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-12-02/billa-ii-review.html |title=Billa Ii Review – Billa Ii Movie Review |publisher=Behindwoods |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928003826/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-12-02/billa-ii-review.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-billa-2-fails-to-meet-the-expectations/20120713.htm|title=Review: Billa 2 fails to meet the expectations|publisher=Rediff|date=13 July 2012|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215204/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-billa-2-fails-to-meet-the-expectations/20120713.htm|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Billa-2/movie-review/14864866.cms|title=Billa 2 movie review|work=The Times of India|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114142518/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Billa-2/movie-review/14864866.cms|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12833.html |title=Billa II Tamil Movie Review |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190402/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12833.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, the film performed poorly at the box office.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171216005710/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Billa-II-flops-at-the-US-UK-box-office/articleshow/15313346.cms Billa II flops at the US & UK box office – Times of India]. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1 August 2012). Retrieved on 2 July 2016.</ref>
+In 2022, Ajith collaborated with Vinoth, again, for ''[[Valimai]]''. It was written and directed by Vinoth. It released on 24 February to mixed reviews from both the critics and audience, alike.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/valimai/valimai-review.html|title=Valimai (aka) Valimaii review|date=24 February 2022|website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The following year in 2023, they collaborated again for the bank heist thriller, ''[[Thunivu]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ajiths-thunivu-could-probably-be-a-sequel-to-his-character-from-mankatha/articleshow/96880611.cms|title=Ajith's 'Thunivu' could probably be a sequel to his character from 'Mankatha'! - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> It was produced by [[Boney Kapoor]] and it was the third collaboration of the team consisting of Ajith, Boney Kapoor, H. Vinoth, and Nirav Shah. [[Ghibran]] composed the music and background score for the film.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thunivu-trailer-ajith-kumar-ups-the-ante-yet-again-in-slick-actioner/article66324500.ece#:~:text=Reported%20to%20be%20a%20heist,in%20Nerkonda%20Paarvai%20and%20Valimai | title='Thunivu' trailer: Ajith Kumar ups the ante yet again in slick actioner | newspaper=The Hindu | date=31 December 2022 }}</ref>
-He starred in [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]]'s ''[[Arrambam]]'', alongside [[Arya (actor)|Arya]], [[Nayantara]] and [[Taapsee Pannu]], which was released on 31 October, and earned positive reviews from both critics and audience.<ref name=Arrambam>{{cite news|last=Arrambam|first=release date|title=Ajith 53|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-Arrambam-promise-a-lot/articleshow/21504833.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801085208/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-Arrambam-promise-a-lot/articleshow/21504833.cms|archive-date=1 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> His next film after ''Arrambam'' was ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'', directed by [[Siva (director)|Siva]] and co-starring [[Tamannaah]], which was released on [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] 2014,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-film-with-Siva-is-titled-Veeram/articleshow/21760908.cms|title=Ajith's film with Siva is titled Veeram|work=The Times of India|date=12 August 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831110106/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Ajiths-film-with-Siva-is-titled-Veeram/articleshow/21760908.cms|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> which also earned positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.co.in/039veeram039-review-roundup-complete-masala-entertainer-for-ajith039s-fans-533864|title = Veeram' Review Roundup: Complete Masala Entertainer for Ajith's Fans|date = 11 January 2014|access-date = 27 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150516015032/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/039veeram039-review-roundup-complete-masala-entertainer-for-ajith039s-fans-533864|archive-date = 16 May 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> Ajith's next film was ''[[Yennai Arindhaal]]'', with [[Gautham Menon]] as director.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Thala55-titled-Yennai-Arindhaal/articleshow/44971868.cms | title=Thala55 titled 'Yennai Arindhaal' | work=The Times of India | date=30 October 2014 | access-date=30 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030043219/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Thala55-titled-Yennai-Arindhaal/articleshow/44971868.cms | archive-date=30 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Ajith's performance as cop was widely praised with a critic calling it "Ajith's best since [[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=The hero has a name|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece|website=The Hindu|date=7 February 2015|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109100615/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Ajith was subsequently nominated for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]] in the [[63rd Filmfare Awards South]]. Ajith worked with Siva again in ''[[Vedalam]]'' (2015), in which critics praised his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vedalam/vedalam-review.html |title=Vedalam (aka) Vedhalam review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507193157/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vedalam/vedalam-review.html |archive-date=7 May 2016 |work=Behindwoods.com|date=10 November 2015}}</ref> His latest project is [[Vivegam]] which received mixed to negative reviews with critics citing illogical scenes and average screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vivegam Review {3/5}: Action is what Vivegam promises and it is what the film offers – bangs for every buck|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/vivegam/movie-review/60201826.cms|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vivegam/vivegam-review.html|title=Vivegam (aka) Vivekam review|website=Behindwoods|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005433/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/vivegam/vivegam-review.html|archive-date=22 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Viswasam]]'' released during Pongal festival of January 2019 is a box office hit having sentiment and action scenes which made it attractive for his fans and family audiences. [[Nerkonda Paarvai|Nerkonda Parvai]] which becomes the 2nd movie for Ajith in 2019.
 ==Other works==
+[[File:Ajith_kumar_at_MIT%28MADRAS_INSTITUTE_OF_TECHNOLOGY%29_for_helping_team_DAKSHA.jpg|thumb|Ajith in 2018]]
 In the late 1990s, Ajith began his own film distribution company called Circuit 9000. In 1998, he announced that he would close the business and refrain from producing, distributing or directing films in the future.<ref name="dinakaran1999p1"/>
-Ajith 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.<ref name="mor">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok S. R|title=Ajit's charitable side|access-date=22 December 2004|url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/22/stories/2004122212670200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=22 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911161621/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/22/stories/2004122212670200.htm|archive-date=11 September 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+Ajith 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]].<ref name="mor">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok S. R|title=Ajit's charitable side|access-date=22 December 2004|url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/22/stories/2004122212670200.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=22 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911161621/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/22/stories/2004122212670200.htm|archive-date=11 September 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 In 2004, Ajith was signed as [[Nescafe]]'s brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKu6lKtDLw8 |title=AJITH IN NESCAFE SUNRISE AD |publisher=Youtube |date=12 April 2009 |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315212915/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKu6lKtDLw8 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, he has limited his appearance to the silver screen by not appearing or promoting any commercials.
-Ajith Kumar is passionate about [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s and [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Ajith-actor-racer-has-another-passion-that-took-wings-early/articleshow/4038909.cms|title=Ajith, actor, racer has another passion that took wings early - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417041348/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Ajith-actor-racer-has-another-passion-that-took-wings-early/articleshow/4038909.cms|archive-date=17 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Recently he has been appointed as the test pilot and UAV system advisor by [[Madras Institute of Technology]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ajith-to-help-chennai-mits-drone-mission/articleshow/64025084.cms|title=Ajith to help Chennai MIT's drone mission - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417052917/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ajith-to-help-chennai-mits-drone-mission/articleshow/64025084.cms|archive-date=17 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> for Medical Express-2018 UAV Challenge.
+Ajith is passionate about [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s and [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Ajith-actor-racer-has-another-passion-that-took-wings-early/articleshow/4038909.cms|title=Ajith, actor, racer has another passion that took wings early - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417041348/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Ajith-actor-racer-has-another-passion-that-took-wings-early/articleshow/4038909.cms|archive-date=17 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Recently he has been appointed as the test pilot and UAV system advisor by [[Madras Institute of Technology]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ajith-to-help-chennai-mits-drone-mission/articleshow/64025084.cms|title=Ajith to help Chennai MIT's drone mission - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417052917/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ajith-to-help-chennai-mits-drone-mission/articleshow/64025084.cms|archive-date=17 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> for Medical Express-2018 UAV Challenge.
 ==Racing career==
-Ajith became a [[racing driver]], competing in circuits around India in places such as [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]] and [[Delhi]]. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. He has also been abroad for various races, including [[Germany]] and [[Malaysia]]. He drove in the 2003 [[Formula Asia]] BMW Championships.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/15/stories/2003091500030200.htm | location=Chennai, India | title=No act this! | date=15 September 2003 | access-date=3 August 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825181557/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/15/stories/2003091500030200.htm | archive-date=25 August 2010 | work=[[The Hindu]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, [[Armaan Ebrahim]] and [[Parthiva Sureshwaren]].<ref name="formulatwo.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.formulatwo.com/2010-drivers/ajith-kumar.aspx |title=FIA Formula Two Championship 2011 |publisher=Formulatwo.com |access-date=24 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028161257/http://www.formulatwo.com/2010-drivers/ajith-kumar.aspx |archive-date=28 October 2010 }}</ref>
+Ajith became a [[racing driver]], competing in circuits around India in places such as [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]] and Delhi. He is one among very few Indians to race in the International arena and in Formula championships. He has also been abroad for various races, including Germany and [[Malaysia]]. He drove in the 2003 [[Formula Asia]] BMW Championships.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/15/stories/2003091500030200.htm | location=Chennai, India | title=No act this! | date=15 September 2003 | access-date=3 August 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825181557/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/15/stories/2003091500030200.htm | archive-date=25 August 2010 | work=[[The Hindu]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> He raced in the 2010 Formula 2 Championship along with two other Indians, [[Armaan Ebrahim]] and [[Parthiva Sureshwaren]].<ref name="formulatwo.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.formulatwo.com/2010-drivers/ajith-kumar.aspx |title=FIA Formula Two Championship 2011 |publisher=Formulatwo.com |access-date=24 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028161257/http://www.formulatwo.com/2010-drivers/ajith-kumar.aspx |archive-date=28 October 2010 }}</ref>
 ===Formula BMW Asia (2003)===
@@ Line 83: / Line 88: @@
 ===Formula 2 (2010)===
-[[File:01TamilActor&Ajith.jpg|thumb|Kumar in the [[Madras Rubber Factory|MRF]] racing series (2010) in Chennai]]
+[[File:01TamilActor&Ajith.jpg|thumb|Ajith at the [[Madras Rubber Factory|MRF]] racing series (2010) in Chennai]]
-After a six-year sabbatical, Ajith signed up for his third season of car racing by participating in the [[2010 FIA Formula Two Championship season|2010 season]] of the [[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.formulatwo.com/news/india%E2%80%99s-ajith-kumar-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx |title=India's Ajith Kumar signs up for Formula Two |date=23 March 2010 |work=[[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]] |publisher=[[MotorSport Vision]] |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326101024/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/india%E2%80%99s-ajith-kumar-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The decision to be involved in the sport was made after Ajith's film directed by [[Gautham Menon]] was delayed, allowing him to participate in the whole season.<ref name="gauthamdealay">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2010|title=Details of Gautham- Ajith film|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=5 March 2010|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14934070|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103043336/http://www.sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14934070|archive-date=3 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to signing up, he competed in the final round of the MRF racing series in [[Chennai]] in February 2010, but failed to finish the race due to mechanical problems. Further trials in [[Sepang]], 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Menon, Priya |year=2010 |title=Kollywood star gets behind the wheel after six-year break |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |access-date=13 March 2010 |url=http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/13/central/5853070&sec=central |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326083514/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F3%2F13%2Fcentral%2F5853070&sec=central |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2010 }}</ref>
+After a six-year sabbatical, Ajith signed up for his third season of car racing by participating in the [[2010 FIA Formula Two Championship season|2010 season]] of the [[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.formulatwo.com/news/india%E2%80%99s-ajith-kumar-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx |title=India's Ajith Kumar signs up for Formula Two |date=23 March 2010 |work=[[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]] |publisher=[[MotorSport Vision]] |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326101024/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/india%E2%80%99s-ajith-kumar-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The decision to be involved in the sport was made after Ajith's film directed by [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]] was delayed, allowing him to participate in the whole season.<ref name="gauthamdealay">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2010|title=Details of Gautham- Ajith film|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=5 March 2010|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14934070|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103043336/http://www.sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14934070|archive-date=3 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to signing up, he competed in the final round of the MRF racing series in [[Chennai]] in February 2010, but failed to finish the race due to mechanical problems. Further trials in [[Sepang]], 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Menon, Priya |year=2010 |title=Kollywood star gets behind the wheel after six-year break |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |access-date=13 March 2010 |url=http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/13/central/5853070&sec=central |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326083514/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F3%2F13%2Fcentral%2F5853070&sec=central |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2010 }}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
-Ajith dated actress [[Heera Rajagopal]] in the mid-1990s, but ended the relationship in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/most-talked-about-link-ups-in-kollywood/photostory/48093565.cms |title=Archived copy |access-date=18 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221420/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/Most-talked-about-link-ups-in-Kollywood/photostory/48093565.cms |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dinakaran1998">https://web.archive.org/web/20030814095528/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/18-07-98/ajith.htm</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20040523005934/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/01-06-99/ajith4.htm</ref>
-In 1999, during the shoot of [[Saran (director)|Saran]]'s ''[[Amarkalam]]'', Ajith began to date his co-star [[Shalini]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kollyspy.com/untold-love-affairs-ajith/|title=REVEALED: Untold Love Affairs of Ajith – Kollyspy.com|last=kollyspy|date=14 May 2016|work=Kollyspy.com|access-date=24 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825041317/http://kollyspy.com/untold-love-affairs-ajith/|archive-date=25 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time, their involvement made him a regular subject of [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] gossip. Despite the fact actor [[Ramesh Khanna]] advised Ajith not to marry an actress,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/apr/09/i-warned-ajith-not-to-marry-an-actress-director-ramesh-kanna-1962198.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616102407/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/apr/09/i-warned-ajith-not-to-marry-an-actress-director-ramesh-kanna-1962198.html |archive-date=16 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ajith proposed to actress Shalini in June 1999 and they were married in April 2000 in Chennai.<ref name="retire">{{cite news|author=Kamath, Sudhish|title=Talk of the Town!|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/04/26/stories/0426223j.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=26 April 2000|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110054752/http://www.hindu.com/2000/04/26/stories/0426223j.htm|archive-date=10 November 2012|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 January 2008, their daughter, Anoushka, was born in Chennai.<ref name="babyanoushka">{{cite web|year=2008|title=Ajith – Shalini, blessed with a baby girl|publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=3 January 2008|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/35663.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080104091350/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/35663.html| archive-date= 4 January 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/parvathy-nair-lauds-yennai-arindhaal-co-star-ajiths-personality-613791 |title=Parvathy Nair Lauds 'Yennai Arindhaal' Co-Star Ajith's Personality|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624213014/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/parvathy-nair-lauds-yennai-arindhaal-co-star-ajiths-personality-613791 |archive-date=24 June 2016 |work=International Business Times|date=12 November 2014}}</ref> On 2 March 2015, their second child, a son Aadvik was born.<ref name="kuttythala">{{cite web|year=2015|title=It's a baby boy for Ajith and Shalini|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2015|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/its-a-baby-boy-for-ajith/article6950914.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828010612/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/its-a-baby-boy-for-ajith/article6950914.ece|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kuttythala1">{{cite web|year=2015|title=Ajith – Shalini blessed with Kutty Thala|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2 March 2015|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Ajith-Shalini-blessed-with-Kutty-Thala/articleshow/46426662.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305104823/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Ajith-Shalini-blessed-with-Kutty-Thala/articleshow/46426662.cms|archive-date=5 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Ajith dated actress [[Heera Rajagopal]] in the mid-1990s, but ended the relationship in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/most-talked-about-link-ups-in-kollywood/photostory/48093565.cms |title=Most talked about link-ups in Kollywood |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221420/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/Most-talked-about-link-ups-in-Kollywood/photostory/48093565.cms |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dinakaran1998">{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/18-07-98/ajith.htm |title=Dinakaran |website=www.dinakaran.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030814095528/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/18-07-98/ajith.htm |archive-date=14 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/01-06-99/ajith4.htm |title=Dinakaran |website=www.dinakaran.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040523005934/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/01-06-99/ajith4.htm |archive-date=23 May 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
-<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quintdaily.com/2017/08/vivegam-tamil-movie-rating-audience-review/|title=Vivegam Tamil Movie Rating [4/5], Audience Review – QuintDaily|last=quintdaily|date=23 August 2017|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824012624/https://quintdaily.com/2017/08/vivegam-tamil-movie-rating-audience-review/|archive-date=24 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Through his marriage to actress [[Shalini]], he became brother-in-law to actor [[Richard Rishi]] and actress [[Shamili]], who appeared as his sister-in-law in [[Rajiv Menon]]'s ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]''.
-==Filmography==
+In 1999, during the shoot of [[Saran (director)|Saran]]'s ''[[Amarkalam]]'', Ajith started dating his co-star [[Shalini]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kollyspy.com/untold-love-affairs-ajith/|title=REVEALED: Untold Love Affairs of Ajith – Kollyspy.com|last=kollyspy|date=14 May 2016|work=Kollyspy.com|access-date=24 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825041317/http://kollyspy.com/untold-love-affairs-ajith/|archive-date=25 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time, their involvement made them a regular subject of [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] gossip. Despite the fact actor [[Ramesh Khanna]] advised Ajith not to marry an actress,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/apr/09/i-warned-ajith-not-to-marry-an-actress-director-ramesh-kanna-1962198.html |title=I warned Ajith not to marry an actress: Director Ramesh Kanna |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616102407/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/apr/09/i-warned-ajith-not-to-marry-an-actress-director-ramesh-kanna-1962198.html |archive-date=16 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ajith proposed to actress Shalini in June 1999 and they were married in April 2000 in Chennai.<ref name="retire">{{cite news|author=Kamath, Sudhish|title=Talk of the Town!|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/04/26/stories/0426223j.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=26 April 2000|access-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110054752/http://www.hindu.com/2000/04/26/stories/0426223j.htm|archive-date=10 November 2012|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref> They have two children.<ref name="babyanoushka">{{cite web|year=2008|title=Ajith – Shalini, blessed with a baby girl|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=3 January 2008|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/35663.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080104091350/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/35663.html| archive-date= 4 January 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/parvathy-nair-lauds-yennai-arindhaal-co-star-ajiths-personality-613791 |title=Parvathy Nair Lauds 'Yennai Arindhaal' Co-Star Ajith's Personality|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624213014/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/parvathy-nair-lauds-yennai-arindhaal-co-star-ajiths-personality-613791 |archive-date=24 June 2016 |work=International Business Times|date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="kuttythala">{{cite news|year=2015|title=It's a baby boy for Ajith and Shalini|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2015|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/its-a-baby-boy-for-ajith/article6950914.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828010612/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/its-a-baby-boy-for-ajith/article6950914.ece|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live|last1=Desk|first1=Internet}}</ref><ref name="kuttythala1">{{cite web|year=2015|title=Ajith – Shalini blessed with Kutty Thala|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2 March 2015|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Ajith-Shalini-blessed-with-Kutty-Thala/articleshow/46426662.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305104823/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Ajith-Shalini-blessed-with-Kutty-Thala/articleshow/46426662.cms|archive-date=5 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Through his marriage to actress [[Shalini]], he became brother-in-law to actor [[Richard Rishi]] and actress [[Shamili]], who appeared as his sister-in-law in [[Rajiv Menon]]'s ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]''.
+== Filmography ==
 {{Main|Ajith Kumar filmography}}
@@ Line 102: / Line 107: @@
 ==References==
-{{reflist|30em}}
+{{reflist}}
 ==External links==
-{{Commons category|Ajith Kumar}}
 * {{IMDb name|id=0015001}}
@@ Line 112: / Line 117: @@
 {{Authority control}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Ajith}}
 [[Category:1971 births]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
@@ Line 126: / Line 130: @@
 [[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
 [[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from Hyderabad, India]]
+[[Category:JK Tyre National Level Racing Championship drivers]]
-[[Category:Male actors from Hyderabad, India]]
+[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
-[[Category:People from Secunderabad]]
+[[Category:Sindhi Hindus]]

Ajith Kumar
Kumar in 2019
Born	Ajithkumar Subramaniam (1971-05-01) 1 May 1971 (age 55)^[1]
Occupation	Actor race car driver
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Shalini ( m. 2000)
Children	2