Ajith Kumar filmography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Ajith_Kumar_at_Irungattukottai_Race_Track.jpg/220px-Ajith_Kumar_at_Irungattukottai_Race_Track.jpg)
Ajith Kumar is a Tamil actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. Apart from a small role in the 1990 Tamil film En Veedu En Kanavar,[1] his professional career began three years later with his debut as a lead actor in Tamil cinema with Amaravathi (1993). Despite being a moderate success, the film helped him obtain more modelling assignments. He followed it up the same year with Prema Pusthakam, his only Telugu film to date.[2][3] After Amaravathi's release, Ajith opted against acting, and instead tried pursuing a career in auto racing. While training for an amateur race, he injured his back and underwent three major surgeries, leaving him bed-ridden for a year and a half.[4] After recovering from the injury, he played supporting roles in Paasamalargal (1994) and Pavithra (1994).[4][5] After this, he co-starred with Vijay in Rajavin Parvaiyile (1995). That same year, he had his breakthrough with the romantic thriller Aasai. His performance earned him critical acclaim and established him as an up-and-coming actor in Tamil cinema.
He was next seen as the main lead in Agathiyan's epistolary Kadhal Kottai (1996), a critical and commercial success.[4] In 1997, he had five releases, all of which were commercial failures.[3] Ajith's dual portrayal of twin brothers—where one is deaf-mute—in S. J. Suryah's Vaalee (1999) won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor. Impressed with his performance in that film, Rajiv Menon cast Ajith in the ensemble drama Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) which was also commercial and critical success.[3][6] The following year, he collaborated with debutant director AR Murugadoss on the action film Dheena. The film was successful in establishing his reputation as an action hero and earning him the nickname "Thala" ("head").[7][a] He earned critical acclaim for his dual role performance in the vigilante film Citizen (2001),[9] and the film was commercial success.[10] and a Best Actor nomination at Filmfare for the drama Poovellam Un Vasam (2001). His last release of the year was Santosh Sivan's Hindi film Aśoka, where he played a brief antagonistic role opposite Shah Rukh Khan.[11][12] His -role performance as twin brothers in K. S. Ravikumar's film Villain (2002) won him a second Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor.[13]
Between 2003 and 2005, Ajith cut back on his acting career to focus on his racing career.[14] During this time, he had his only commercial success with Attahasam (2004).[15][16] Two years later he starred in Ravikumar's Varalaru, in which he played three different roles. It became the highest-grossing Tamil film of that year,[17] and Ajith went on to receive his third Best Tamil Actor award at Filmfare for his performance. In 2007 he was seen in two remakes—Kireedam and Billa,[b] both of which were big box office hits.[17] His next two releases, Aegan (2008) and Aasal (2010), were critical and commercial failures.[18]
Ajith played an antihero—as a money-minded, suspended police officer—in Venkat Prabhu's Mankatha (2011).[18][c] It had the biggest opening of that year for a Tamil film,[d] and became Ajith's biggest commercial success to that point.[20] His next release, Billa II (2012), Tamil cinema's first prequel,[e] opened to mixed reviews.[22][23] He followed that with the multi-starrer Arrambam (2013) and Siva's masala film Veeram (2014), both of which were commercially successful.[24] In 2015 he collaborated with Gautham Vasudev Menon for the crime thriller Yennai Arindhaal.[25][26] His performance as an undercover police officer earned him a Best Tamil Actor nomination at the 63rd Filmfare Awards South.[27] His second release of the year, Vedalam, had the biggest opening day in Tamil cinema and was among the highest grossing Tamil films of the year.[7]
Films
[edit]† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
- All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | En Veedu En Kanavar | School boy | Child artist | [28] |
1993 | Amaravathi | Arjun | Debut as lead actor | [29][30] |
Prema Pusthakam | Sreekar | Telugu film | [5][31] | |
1994 | Paasamalargal | Kumar | [5] | |
Pavithra | Ashok | [32] | ||
1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Chandru | [5] | |
Aasai | Jeevanantham | [33] | ||
1996 | Vaanmathi | Krishna | [34] | |
Kalloori Vaasal | Vasanth | [35] | ||
Minor Mappillai | Ramu | [5] | ||
Kadhal Kottai | Surya | [5] | ||
1997 | Nesam | Ranganathan | [5] | |
Raasi | Kumar | [5] | ||
Ullaasam | Guru | [5] | ||
Pagaivan | Prabhu | [5] | ||
Rettai Jadai Vayasu | Vijay | [5] | ||
1998 | Kaadhal Mannan | Shiva | [36] | |
Aval Varuvala | Jeeva | [5] | ||
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen | Sanjay | Cameo | [5] | |
Uyirodu Uyiraga | Ajay | [37] | ||
1999 | Thodarum | Jayaram | [38] | |
Unnai Thedi | Raghu | [39] | ||
Vaalee | Shiva/Deva[f] | [40][41] | ||
Anantha Poongatre | Jeeva | [5] | ||
Amarkalam | Vasu | 25th film[g] | [42] | |
Nee Varuvai Ena | Subramani | Cameo | [5] | |
2000 | Mugavaree | Sridhar | [43] | |
Kandukondain Kandukondain | Manohar | [44] | ||
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | Surya | [45] | ||
2001 | Dheena | Dheenadhayalan (Thala)[h] | [46] | |
Citizen | Citizen/Subramani[f] | [47] | ||
Poovellam Un Vasam | Chinna | [48][49] | ||
Aśoka | Susima | Hindi film; special appearance | [50][31] | |
2002 | Red | Red | [51] | |
Raja | Raja | [52] | ||
Villain | Shiva/Vishnu[f] | [13][53] | ||
2003 | Ennai Thalatta Varuvala | Sathish | Cameo | [54] |
Anjaneya | Paramaguru | [55] | ||
2004 | Jana | Janarthanan | [56] | |
Attahasam | Guru/Jeeva[f] | [57] | ||
2005 | Ji | Vasu | [58] | |
2006 | Paramasivan | Subramaniyam Siva (Paramasivan)[h] | [59] | |
Thirupathi | Thirupathi | [60] | ||
Varalaru | Jeeva/Shivashankar/Vishnu[i] | [61][62] | ||
2007 | Aalwar | Shiva | [63] | |
Kireedam | Sakthivel | [64] | ||
Billa | David Billa/Saravanavelu[f] | [65][66] | ||
2008 | Aegan | Shiva | [67] | |
2010 | Aasal | Jeevanantham/Shiva[f] | Also screenwriter | [68][69] |
2011 | Mankatha | Vinayak Mahadev | 50th film[c] | [70][71] |
2012 | Billa II | David Billa | [72] | |
English Vinglish | A flight passenger | Tamil version of the Hindi film[j] Cameo |
[74] | |
2013 | Arrambam | Ashok Kumar | [75][76] | |
2014 | Veeram | Vinayagam | [77][78] | |
2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | Sathyadev | [79][80] | |
Vedalam | Ganesh (Vedalam)[h] | [81] | ||
2017 | Vivegam | Ajay Kumar (AK)[h] | [82] | |
2019 | Viswasam | Thookku Durai | [83] | |
Nerkonda Paarvai | Bharath Subramaniam | [84] | ||
2022 | Valimai | Arjun Kumar | [85] | |
2023 | Thunivu | Dark Devil | [86] | |
2024 | Vidaa Muyarchi † | TBA | October 31 2024 | [87] |
2025 | Good Bad Ugly † | TBA | Filming | [88] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Ajith Kumar's character in the film is called by the nickname "Thala".[8]
- ^ Kireedam was a remake of the namesake 1989 Malayalam film while Billa was a remake of the 1980 Tamil film of the same name.
- ^ a b It was Ajith Kumar's 50th film.[18]
- ^ The film grossed ₹252 million in its first week.[19]
- ^ The film was a prequel to his 2007 film of the same name.[21]
- ^ a b c d e f Ajith Kumar played two characters.
- ^ This was Ajith's 25th film[42]
- ^ a b c d Ajith Kumar played a character with two or more names.
- ^ Ajith Kumar played three characters.
- ^ It was originally filmed in Hindi with a few scenes additionally shot for the Tamil version. Ajith Kumar played the role of Amitabh Bachchan in the Tamil dubbed version.[73]
References
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- ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (30 April 2018). "Nine days and a killer wave: the story behind Ajith's 'Prema Pusthakam'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018.
- ^ a b c Rajitha (15 September 1999). "Pyar to hona hi tha". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Warrier, Shobha (6 July 1999). "Bad back, great future". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "அஜித் 56; 'காதல் புத்தகம்' முதல் 'வேதாளம்' வரை" [Ajith 56; From 'Kadhal Puthagam' to 'Vedalam']. Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 28 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016.
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- ^ a b Pillai, Sreedhar (14 November 2015). "A cracker of an opening". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016.
- ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (25 May 2016). "'Thala 58': Is AR Murugadoss hinting at joining hands with Ajith?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016.
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- ^ a b "Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 17 May 2003. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
- ^ Allirajan, M.; Rao, Subha J. (24 November 2003). "A for attitude". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016.
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- ^ a b Saraswathi, S. (5 February 2015). "Ajith's Top 10 Hits". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Raghavan, Nikhil (16 July 2011). "What's on the cards?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016.
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- ^ "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.
- ^ "Find out who's who of Tamil film 'Billa 2'". News18. 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016.
- ^ Narayanan, Sharadha (18 June 2012). "'Billa 2': The art of telling a story backwards". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.
- ^ Seshagiri, Sangeetha (11 January 2014). "'Veeram' Review Roundup: Complete Masala Entertainer for Ajith's Fans". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016.
- ^ Haricharan (17 February 2015). "I am dying to work with Ajith again". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.
- ^ V.P, Nicy (16 February 2015). "Yennai Arindhaal got positive reviews from critics and audience alike". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.
- ^ Sundaram, Nandhu (22 November 2016). "Acham Enbathu Madamaiyada, A Medley Of Filmmaker Gautham Menon's Favourite Motifs". Outlook. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017.
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- ^ a b Shivakumar, Vivek (9 August 2019). "From 'Aasai Nayagan' to 'Thala': Ajith's Career Through Titles". Film Companion. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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- ^ "25 Years of Ajith Kumar: Aasai to Mankatha, a look at the best films of Thala". India Today. 3 August 2017. slide 1. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
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- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (7 January 2010). "Grill Mill: Interview with actor-choreographer Kalyan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016.
- ^ "தில்லோத்தமா கண் சிமிட்டி, தலை சாய்த்துப் புன்னகைத்ததை மறக்க முடியுமா?!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 6 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ Ramesh, Kala Krishnan (21 February 1999). "Tuvvi, tuvvi, tuvvi". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
- ^ S., Arul (25 April 1999). "Film Review". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012.
- ^ Vijiyan, K. N. (6 March 1999). "Sundar C. delivers another hit". New Straits Times. p. 19. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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- ^ Sebastian, Pradeep; K., Kavitha; Ramesh, Kala Krishnan (31 May 1999). "Film Reviews". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
- ^ a b Rajendran, Sowmya (24 April 2020). "Revisiting 'Amarkalam', the film that brought Ajith and Shalini together". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
[...] this was Ajith's 25th film.
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- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (2 June 2000). "Film Review: Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuvaen". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (2 February 2001). "Film Review: Dheena". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
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- ^ Mahadevan-Dasgupta, Uma (25 November 2001). "The Emperor's new clothes". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010.
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- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (15 November 2002). "Villain". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
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- ^ Srinivasan, Sudhir (10 November 2015). "Vedhalam: Pulsating fight scenes, but predictable otherwise". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
- ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (24 August 2017). "'Vivegam' review: Fast without fury". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017.
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- ^ "Ajith Kumar to join KGF universe, could sign 2 films with Prashanth Neel: Report". India Today. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
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