Interview with Ajith
BACK WITH GREAT BANG!
Ajith
the teenage hero who hit the bulls-eye with 'Kathal Kottai' and was tipped to be
the next top draw, found himself sliding down from the top. A series of bad
films and to top it all he had a bad back restricting him from doing dances and
fights. His girlfriend Heera had walked out on him. His business venture of
distributing films landed him in debts. He chose to stick it out on the wrong
side of the trade union war and the big guys and majority disowned him. All the
big banners claimed he was not saleable and was drifting away. A guy who was a
truant in his work is today having the best of films. Rajiv Menon's 'Kandu Konda
ayan', 'Nee Varuvaya', 'Mukhavare' are those in the pipeline while films
released are 'Valee' followed by 'Anandapoongakatre' by Rajkapoor. Ajith speaks
about his new lease of life and his future.
Q: With the success of 'Unaithedi' you seem to be back in reckoning with offers
once again coming your way?
A: More than the success of 'Unaithedi' I think it's the message that I am
dedicated to my work that has endeared me to the producers. When I had a bad
back I was still shooting for the film and went in a wheelchair to the dubbing
theatre. I was determined to show that I am serious about my work and today that
is what has got me the offers. I think a success of a film industry. With the
release of 'Valee' I am going to be recognised as an actor. I am speaking to you
before the release of the film and I am confident of its success because I can
sense a good film. I told the director Surya that at the 100th day of the film I
will gift him a car and today after being doubly positive of the film I have got
him a Santro. After the release of 'Valee' no one will come to me with
meaningless scripts.
Q: You cannot pass on the blame to the directors because you too heard them and
accepted it?
A: Yes, quite right but then when everybody comes to you with bad scripts then
what choice do you have? Now I have the best in terms of scripts. No one will
come to me with scripts that are not well crafted because they will realise that
I am capable of something more than what they think of. I am back here with a
vengeance and shamelessly I want to announce that I want to be at the top.
Q: How come your physical, mental and economic problems have not affected your
career?
A: I never let these problems affect my performance. When I was in front of the
camera I never thought about it but when away from the public eye and in the
company of friends I cried. I never wept in front of my so-called well wishers
because I did not want them to see my sorrow. I then realised that only work,
work and more work will make me get to the top slot. Work is worship and today
it has paid off. Today work has become an obsession to me. I have settled my
debts and come out of it. Career is looking up. The traumatic period has taught
me a lesson where I know who my friends are.
Q: Now that you are back with a vengeance then probably you might like to teach
your enemies a few lessons.
A: I am not bitter to anyone. I see it as a part of growing up. What hurt me
most was when people who I thought were friends ditched me. I can understand
film folk saying nasty things about me because its rivalry. I don't blame
anybody for what happened and I am not for any emotional outburst. I only want
to show to those who ditched me that the loss is theirs and not mine. Some tried
to mend fences but then its too late.
Q: In most films you do it is a dual hero subject. Is it wise to do so when the
industry rates a hero by his capacity to pull in crowds single-handedly?
A: R B Chowdary's 'Nee Varuvaya' is the last subject that I am doing as a double
hero and for the next two years I will not be doing any twin hero subject The
reason being I want to concentrate on my individual performance. All the same,
films that I accepted as twin hero like 'Anandapoogatre' is because of Karthik
who is a good friend and its director Rajkapoor, Rajiv Menon's film has two
national award winners Mamooty and Tabu along with Aishwarya Rai and I want to
be associated with such a team.
Q: You always took pride in giving new directors a break but they only let you
down. So you may shift to established directors I presume after C Sundar's 'Unnaithedi'?
A: In 1997 all new directors who worked with me gave me flops but in 1999 I can
tell you that 'Valee' will shock the industry and the system. A new director
Surya is going to shock the filmdom and he deserved a car no doubt. This is my
year and the new guys who will work with me are going to give it with a bang. No
one can snatch it from me now.
Q: What about matters of the heart?
A: I have to meet someone who is compatible with me and the search continues but
then career is first now.
Q: Probably no more industry girls?
A: Not that way. If the girl is not from the industry then she could be
suspicious of you. Just because of Heera I should not classify each and everyone
like her. Even today I respect Heera as an individual and we decided to go on
with our lives. Today I have friends like Chakravarthy who is producing 'Valee'
and he is a friend who stood by my side throughout the problems and even when
the industry banned me. I am proud to be his friend. With the right friends and
scripts, 1999 is mine.
AJITH AND HIS NEW PASSION
It is difficult to slot him. He had a passion for motor-bikes and even took part in the two-wheeler race at Sholavaram, a decade back. Then he took to acting with the same passion, and has since carved a niche for himself as one of the top actors among the younger crop of heroes. And when one thought that he could be consolidating his position, what with so many young fresh faces entering into the acting arena, he has surprised us yet again. He took up flying, and is just an hour’s experience away from getting his driving licence! And there is more. He has taken up motor sporting and has tied up with Akbar Ebrahim of the ADCA (Advanced Driving & Corporate Academy Private Limited) to train him and develop his racing skills.
Meet Ajith Kumar, actor, to-be-pilot, racing driver. Ajith chats about his new passion and juggling of careers.
On why he is doing it:
I have been passionate about racing, since childhood. People who know me close, like my family and friends, know this to be a fact. In fact, before I joined films, I has participated in an international two-wheeler race. I was determined to follow it up again, when I had enough money. For, motor sport is an expensive affair.
On his films having flopped:
Not at all! If that was the case I would have taken up motor sporting, when five of my films flopped last year. I have seen both success and failure. Hits and flops don’t matter to me any more.
On the diverse professions:
The movie industry is in many ways like motor racing. There is a lot of co-relation between the two. A good actor can at times rise above a bad script and get noticed. Again, a bad actor however good a script, can make a mess of it. Similarly, a good driver can make it at times, despite having a bad car and vice versa. But ultimately, what counts in both is the right package!
On his juggling careers:
Movie is my bread and butter. And I’ve to live up to an image. I’ve planned to do not more than two films a year. I want the right package, both in films and in racing. We have a race spread over seven months and it suits my acting career. It won’t be easy balancing both, but I’m determined to do it. It won’t affect my family life either.
On pushing himself:
All the way! My wife Shalini knows how committed I am when I take up something. I am learning flying and I’m just an hour away from my pilot’s license.
On his choice of coach:
Motor sports like any other needs not only dedication, but also a good coach. So when I planned to enter into it, Akbar was the one I thought of. I’ve known him since his cricket days. I’ve been following his racing career, and seen him race at Sholavaram. He has trained others before me, and I think he’s the best to train me.
On the age factor:
I know that drivers today start early, in their 16s and 17s. I am thirty years old, but today racing is much safer than what it was earlier. Further a five-time champion, started the age of 38. Though I am persuading Akbar to make it move fast, we are taking one step at a time.
On the financial aspect:
Sponsors are talking to us. We’ll have to discuss this. Some may be coming only because I’m a film star. I don’t want to set a bad example. I’m particular that no one gets a raw deal. Akbar will be managing my career in motor racing and he’ll do what’s best for us and the sport.
On his racing position in 2003:
I really don’t know. I don’t want to speculate. I don’t want to talk big or give false hopes. Let me come to 2003 and then we will see!
Malini Mannath
SOURCE : CHENNAI ONLINE