Through out the history of tamil movies, the heroes have always been do gooders and even if they do any villain act, there was a scene justifying their negative character.. all these myths were broken by Mankatha and has open the door for new generation Directors.
Mankatha is the story of the present. A person whose only aim is money does not see rights or wrongs in his pursue of money is the theme. Ajith has acted as a 40 year old person who is trying to rob 500 C, with grey hairs, cheating his girl frnd and back stabbing his frnds. If Thala had not acted in this movie, this movie would have become another usual Venkat Prabhu movie. Once Thala came into the script, it got a new lease of life.
"This script was not made for Ajith sir. Once he said he is ready to do the negative role, we changed a lot in his character. Made the story revolve around him. He is a directors actor" says Venkat Prabhu. In trying to steal the 500 C, whatever Thala does is something a tamil cinema hero should not do. The surprising point here is, more than the fans, the famil audience have also loved it. Even those who do not like Thala, have liked this movie and posted their appreciations in facebook. Tamil cinema fans who felt irritated with the same kinda roles lapped up to the different Mankatha.
On the salt and pepper look which has now gained a lot of appreciation, Thala says "A person whose only thought is money will not care about dyeing his hairs. Someone who calls himself kingmaker should have a lots of maturity. The age and look was needed for that character". A stylish performance has always been a cakewalk for Thala, however the style factor in a full pledged negative role is the reason for Mankatha's success. "Should not drink from now on", "How long will I act as a good guy", "This is my **** game", "Money money money", "I am impressed, give me more", and so on in most places Thala has made the fans forget that he is a villain here and has stood as a hero in the eyes of fans.
In all his 25 years in cinema, Thala has given more of heroism oriented movies. From Amaravathi to Mankatha, he has had as many lows as his highs. In spite of this, in the fan following, there is no one equivalent to him in tamil industry. In each defeat, his fans support him more. And that has earned him the title, king of box office. Usually fans will like the actors on screen performance and their style. But in the case of Ajith, it is not so. His fans love him more for his good character. There is more to speak about Thala other than his movies.
"I am proud that Aasai was Ajith's biggest break. But whatever he has reached now, is purely the result of his hard work only. We needed a handsome hero for Aasai. We saw many guys. I decided it is Ajith the moment i saw Ajith with a helmet in his hand. Like 16 vayathinilae, in Aasai, both hero and villain have heavy roles. I asked Ajith do you have that fire in you, i am seeing the same fire in Ajith still" says Director Vasanth. Ajith has always been ready for new attempts throught his career. There were many flops between Kadhal kottai and Vaali. When a movie becomes successful, the hero will hesitate to work with new directors. But Thala has given chance to many new comers. SJ Surya, ARM and some 15 directors were introduced by Ajith.
"Ajith is always interested in doing movies with different themes. He was suffering from backpain during Vaali time. He acted with that pain only in Vaali. I liked Mankatha very much. Salman has this kinda attitute in bollywood" says Dir SJ Surya. Directing a big hero for a new comer is a rare happening in Tamil cinema. To direct a big hero like Ajith, you should have directed atleast 4 successful movies is an unwritten law in tamil cinema. It is only Thala who broken this law and has given chances to many new comers. "Whenever I go to say a story to an actor, they always think i am trying for the assistant director slot. My physique is like that. However in my first meeting itself, Ajith said 'he will make it'. Mankatha has released as Thala's 50th film. I am proud that it was Dheena which gave him the name 'Thala'" says AR Murugadoss.
The unanimous choice for the stylish personality in tamil cinema is Thala Ajith. This was fully proved with Billa. Now Mankatha has also reiterated it. "Ajith speaks frankly and straight to face. So it will be easy to handle him as an actor. There is no surprise with Thala's stunning performance in Mankatha. He has that physical personality. Like Al Pacino, he can do both positive and negative roles because of his personality" says dir Vishnuvardhan.
Not only has he made a name for himself in tamil cinema, standing firm in it inspite of the accidents in motor racing is an ample example for Thala's self confidence. There has been 13 surgeries on his back. His body does not cooperate for difficult dance steps or fights. But still, Thala has always tried to make himself better with every other movie. Nic arts chakravarthi who has produced several Ajith's movies from Vaali till Varalaru says "It was only during Vaali's final stages that Ajith got a major operation done. It was said he would get completely cure only after 4-5 months. Doctors had advised him bed rest for the next few months. He still came for shooting in 10 days, i dont think anyone else would have done it".
Ajith is like a phoenix in coming back from defeat and pains says people close to him. Time and experience has given a lot of maturity to Ajith. This maturity has made him take good and bold steps in his life. Its easy to get lost in the dream world of cinema. Many are unable to decide until what to go and what not to go in the cinema world. Ajith is someone who has clearly decided about what he can and what he will and has shown this time and again. The bond between tamil cinema and politics is inseparable. Every fan wants his favourite star to make a mark as a political leader and every political party wants the top stars to support them. This has always caused difficulties to many stars. Last year, in the function of then CM Karunanidhi, Ajith openly said actors are threatened to participate in such functions which lead to many problems for him.
Rajini who applauded Ajith's bold speech would have faced it so many times. But it was only Ajith who spoke it boldly in front of the CM himself. And the fact that he was not supported by any other party makes his act even more laudable. Many appreciated Ajith for this bold act and few even felt pity on him for going against the political heads. The events after this speech would have been bitter for Ajith but he proved no one can restrict a person who values his freedom and self respect. "People believe if a person becomes a successful actor, he can solve all the problems in the universe", Marlon brando in an interview. Ajith too believes the same.
"During Vaali, there was a stand off between producers and FEFSI. Ajith voiced for the cine workers. Any upcoming hero will not imagine to against the producers. Still Ajith stood by his decision. During the shooting, if there is rain, he would buy rain coats for all the workers involved. If they have to stand over a rock, he will get them the shoes with his money. Including the medical help, he will not boast about the helps he has done nor will let others speak about it" says Chakravarthi.
Ajith has a policy of not participating in the promotion events of his movies. Movies do not run for 100 days like before. Release the movies in 100s of theatres and get the money in few days is the motto these days. Only promotions can help in success of the movie is the present situation. Even superstar is not an exception to this promotion strategy. But still, "Good films do not need promotions" says Thala. And still Mankatha, he has never participated in any promotions for his movies. If some call it his adamant nature, a leading producer says thats what Thala is.
Thala entered the cine industry with no one to back him up, his only backbone is his fans. Because of their love for Thala, his fans sees his movies several times and gives the needed opening for his movies. It is Ajith who has most number of registered fan clubs. Inspite of all this, when he dissolved his fan clubs, the entire cine industry was surprised. In the assembly elections, some of his fan club members accepted money from leading political parties and supported them. And also those who didnt accept money were threatened to join parties with force. This threatenings made Ajith feel bad and that is the reason for disbanding his fan clubs. Ajith wanted to remain an actor only on screen.
Until a few years back, there was an unhealthy professional fight going on between Thala and Vijay. The fans of both actors were more like enemies. Even though Ajith was matured personally, he too was to blame for these childish acts. The interviews Thala gave against Vijay made headlines. But Thala ended all these in last year.
He made friendship with his long time competitor Vijay. That shows his maturity. There is a scene in Mankatha where Vijay's song runs in background. Also, fans have tweeted that Thala had worn the watch presented by Vijay.
Ajith to India today, "I have too done a few mistakes. There is no person who has never done a mistakes. Our experiences is a good teacher. I have learnt a lot from it. I do not wish to grow hatred in profession". He also respects women a lot. When the wives of actors mostly becomes housewives, its a surprise to see Shalini in badminton court. Shalini is lucky in this front. Not only in home, Ajith also respects his costars.
"On and off screen, the guy I admire is Ajith. I do not have to say more about his different talents. He always lives the life the way his heart says. The respect he shows on wife, coworkers and all women makes me wonder" says Trisha. Ajith believes it is more important to be a good human being than being a good actor.
"If it is necessary to call after 6PM, he messages before asking if it is the right time to call. When i received an award for my pet parlour, he came to my home and congratulated me. He never interferes in the personal freedom of his employees" says Ajith's manager Suresh Chandra.
A person with honesty, respect on fellow humans, more dreams, less desires, hard word will succeed in any field. Thats the secret for Thala's success as well.
INTERVIEW :
Qn: It needs big courage for a mass hero to do the role of a villain, how did you take this decision?
Thala: This is just an experiment. In real life, there is a vilain inside everyone. I always had a liking for negative role. It has more scopes for performance. I didnt want to miss the opportunity when I got such a character.
Qn: 25 years, 50 years, what do you think of your career?
Thala: Those initial days when I had none to guide me, the opportunities which I got along with success and failures.. Cinema has been a rollercoaster ride for me. I had decided to quit cinema twice, once in 1995 when my movies failed continuously. But it is not my nature to quit from problems. So I continued. And last year due to some depression. I do not want to postmortem it now. It was Shalini who brought me out of this.
Qn: Cinema is a business, heroes getting big salaries are part of it. Is it not your duty to particpate in its promos?
Thala: No. It is people who give me the salary. It is they who have to decide if the film is good or not. We can judge if the film would succeed or not when we complete 60% of the shoot. How can I promote a movie when I already know how the movie is? You can now ask me, why dont I do for good movies then. That will then be biasedness from me. Then, my call sheet is for 9-6. I do my work with 100% dedication. The rest of the time belongs to me. I cant work in that time.
Qn: Wont it be easy for mass heroes like you to earn more by acting in advertisements?
Thala: If life is only about money, our life will be lost in its pursuit only. I will not have time for my wife nor my daughter. My daughter will keep missing me all through her life. This is my personal policy. A movie for 8 months is my plan.
Qn: Do you still believe you were right in disbanding your fan clubs?
Thala: I never said no to fans. I only said no to the fan clubs. Why does an individual need such fan clubs? Why should my fans waste their time in it? My movies are for entertainment only.
Qn: Actors like you have a voice among people, why dont you use it for supporting good issues?
Thala: Why do we vote, it is only because the elected representatives will take care of the common problems. if all 120C people come to politics, will it be good? Lets leave the complaining part and do our respective duties.
Qn: There are so many problems which the politicians do not take care of.
Thala: How many of us stop in traffic signals? Do we pay taxes? Without stopping our mistakes, how can we point our fingers at the politicians?
Qn: Our society sees leaders in actors...
Thala: Sorry, no one beleives so. There are so many good politicians who work for people. By saying it is only actors who become leaders, we insult their work.
Qn: Is it you who encouraged Shalini in badminton?
Thala: Shalini is my wife, not my slave. We both understand our responsibilities.
Qn: You look very matured these days...
Thala: I too have done mistakes. My experiences have made me matured. I do not want to get into jelousy and competition. There is so many positives around us. There is no confirmation about tomorrow. If we understand this, we will become matured.
Qn: You speak like a philospoher...
Thala: Its not me who is speaking but the experiences i have gained in this 40 years.
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