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Ajith
A dream run at the B-O!
Before Vaali became a hit, the trade pundits wondered how on earth the audience would suffer him in a double role, what with his films falling like nine pins. Later, they dubbed him a fluke and attributed the success to Simran’s performance. Next, they said it was a bad move on his part to play a streetsmart toughie, (in Amarkaalam) especially after he’d just played a romantic hero, and had hardly the physique to match. When the film clicked, making the soothsayers eat their words, they said it had done well only in the cities, only to be made to eat humble pie yet again. But now that Ajith’s next, Mukhavare, with a relatively new director is poised to hit the screens, he’s hot property. Even the hard-to-please Ajith-baiters seem to know when to clam up and simply jump aboard the fanwagon!

I’d rather stick to a three-films-a-year regimen, than sign films indiscriminately. I have a Supergood film on hand, and one with Oscar Movies. I have even opened an office of my own, AK International. Now, I’m no longer the inaccessible actor I was, and that’s a promise. But production isn’t my ballgame, and I’ve just about managed to clear my debts from a distribution misadventure. I’d rather stick to acting, any day.

Sitting pretty he may be, but Ajith’s far from basking in the glory of a string of successes. Or signing films in any hurry. “I’d rather stick to a three-films-a-year regimen, than sign films indiscriminately,” Ajith explains. “I have a Supergood film on hand, and one with Oscar Movies, and, may be, will take on a third one. But I’m available for discussions with filmmakers, and have even opened an office all my own, AK International, for the purpose. Earlier, I’d meet producers at NIC Arts’ office, which probably gave them the impression I was a partner at NIC. Or perhaps, they hesitated to meet me at another’s office. Now, I even have a super-efficient staff, thanks to which I’m able to respond within 24 hours to any query either from the press or filmmakers. I’m no longer the inaccessible actor I was, and that’s a promise,” he adds.

AK International, his posh office in an upmarket Chennai locality, has all the trappings of a corporate office. So is it that first tentative step towards a re-entry as producer, I ask him. “Oh please,” he pleads, folded hands raised above his head in mock servility. “Once is about enough. Production isn’t my ballgame, and I’ve just about managed to clear my debts from a distribution misadventure. I’d rather stick to acting, any day!,” he jokes. But there’s no mistaking his resolve.

As an actor, too, he’s made several resolutions. Like saying ‘no’ to two hero projects. Or giving double roles the thumbs down. Or even unabashedly claiming he’s number one. “When I was down and out, owing to ill health and other personal problems, I’d dream of getting to the slot that Vijay held. Today, thanks to four hits in a row, I have. So, what’s wrong in claiming ownership to what’s mine?” he asks.

But Vijay’s quick to write off any malice or ill-feeling. He even goes out of his way to speak up for Vijay, and tell his own fans to steer clear of unseemly tussles with Vijay’s fans. When Vijay was banned by the film employees union, following a dispute with Vijay’s father, it was Ajith who stood up for Vijay. He said it was improper for the unions to ban Vijay for a grievance they had with his dad. Again, when Kushi was launched in Chennai, Ajith turned up to congratulate Vijay. The efforts have gone a long way in setting up a cordial atmosphere in filmdom.

Now that Mukhavare is ready for release, Ajith is ready and waiting to tie the knot. The wedding bells have already begun to chime. And as soon as his betrothed, actress Shalini returns from a stage show in Dubai, where she’s gone to perform with Mammootty and Mohan Lal, the wedding will be solemnised. “It will be a private affair,” he warns. “But of course, I will have a reception for my friends and wellwishers,” he adds, by way of consolation.

Some recent rumours in the press have disturbed him, though he insists, they’re far from true. Some said he was about to turn Muslim, because Shalini was one, too. Truth is, Shalini is a Christian, a protestant, and Ajith, a Hindu. And neither is on the verge of conversion. Another report said his backbone operation had left him sexually impotent. “It hurts to be written about like this, but it’s a price, I guess, one pays for stardom,” shrugs Ajith.

Our conversation over, his mobile rings, as if on cue. His face lights up and he flashes that trademark impish smile on hearing the voice at the other end. No prizes for guessing who’s on the line. We get up and slink away in silence, leaving the lovers to exchange sweet nothings.

Ayyappa Prasad