Vasu teamed up with Ajith for 'Paramasivan' (2006) where Ajith lost around 20 kilos to play the character. He performed exceptionally well in BMW Asia Championship, 2003 that was held in Thailand, Japan and Korea.Īfter delivering a blockbuster with Chandramukhi (2005), director P. He has also announced back then that he would do just two films in a year as it gives more time for racing. In 2003, he took a small break from movies and concentrated on his eternal love, motor racing. He played a negative role of Susima Maurya alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. During the making of this film, he fell in love with the film’s leading lady Shalini, whom he married the very next year. In 2002, Ajith accepted his first Hindi project ‘Asoka’ directed by popular cinematographer Santhosh Sivan. In the same year, he appeared in a romantic musical drama ‘Amrakalam’ which played a crucial role in his personal life. The film earned him his first Filmfare Best Actor Award. He was praised highly by all the critics for his unparalleled performance in dual roles. One of the films that include on the list is, S.J Suryah’s blockbuster directorial 'Vaali' (1999). For the record, in a single year (1999), the actor gave 6 super hit films. With each passing year, Ajith bagged back to back hits. Around this time, considering his huge stardom, Amitabh Bachchan’s production company ABCL ventured into the South with 'Ullassam' (1997), a triangular love drama where Ajith shared screen with 'Chiyan' Vikram and Maheshwari. Another successful film that came at the very early stage of his career was 'Kaadhal Kottai' (1996) that fetched Agasthyan a National Award for Best Direction and Screenplay. 'Vaanmathi' (1996), his next film after Asai also went on to become a big success and made him the Superstar overnight.
After small appearances in films like 'Paasamalargal' (1994) and 'Rajaavin Paarvayile' (1995), Ajith bagged a huge success in the form of 'Asai' (1995), a film that marked the directorial debut of P.C Sreeram. His first Tamil film as the lead hero, 'Amaravathi' (1993) as well wasn’t a big success but got him good recognition in the Tamil Industry.
Notably, as an ode to the young director, Gollapudi Srinivas National Award is given to acclaimed filmmakers every year.ĭespite his debut movie as a lead being a big disaster at the box office, offers didn’t stop knocking at Ajith’s door. The director of the film, Gollapudi Srinivas died while shooting the film and it was later completed by his father Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, a well-known writer and character artist in Telugu movies. The film had a heart-wrenching back story to it. After putting an end to his textile business, Ajith moved completely into acting in ads and thus accepted his first film as a lead, a Telugu film titled ‘Prema Pusthakam’ (1993) where Bollywood actress Kanchan was paired opposite to him.