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Entertainment • Actor

Ajith Kumar

Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor best known for his work in Tamil cinema.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor best known for his work in Tamil cinema. He began his screen career in the early 1990s and rose to prominence with films such as *Aasai* (1995), later becoming one of Tamil cinema’s leading stars. He has also been associated with professional motor racing.

Early life and career

Ajith Kumar was born on 1 May 1971 in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. He began his film career in 1990 and later made his lead-actor debut in *Amaravathi*.

Acting career

He became widely known through Tamil films and established himself as a major commercial star. Sources identify *Aasai* as an early breakthrough, followed by later successes in action and drama films.

Racing career

Alongside acting, Ajith Kumar has been associated with car racing and racing competitions. Some biographies describe him as a professional race car driver and note a sabbatical from acting for racing participation.

Personal life

Ajith Kumar is married to actress Shalini. Public biographies commonly state that they have two children.

Key facts

  • Ajith Kumar is an Indian actor primarily working in Tamil cinema.
  • He began acting in 1990 and gained recognition with *Aasai* (1995).
  • He has appeared in commercially successful films like *Billa* and *Mankatha*.
  • He is also a participant in motor racing.
  • He is commonly referred to by the nickname “Thala”.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ajith Kumar?
Ajith Kumar is an Indian actor who primarily works in Tamil cinema and is also associated with motor racing.
When was Ajith Kumar born?
He was born on 1 May 1971.
What was Ajith Kumar’s breakthrough film?
Biographical sources identify *Aasai* (1995) as his breakthrough or early recognition role.
What is Ajith Kumar known for besides acting?
He is known for participating in motor racing and is also described in some sources as a professional race car driver.
Is Ajith Kumar married?
Yes. He is married to actress Shalini; several biographies state they married in 2000.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajith_Kumar
    Supports: Early screen career and Tamil filmography overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015001/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, Tamil cinema work, breakthrough with Aasai, and acting/racing biography.
  3. The Hans India — https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/biography/ajith-kumar-biography-movies-biography-news-age-photos-778241
    Supports: Birth place, career start, Tamil cinema prominence, and racing activity.
  4. BookMyShow — https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/ajith-kumar/88
    Supports: Career start, racing sabbatical, and nickname 'Thala'.
  5. Tamil Wikipedia — https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D
    Supports: Tamil filmography and biography basics.