Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar, celebrated for his versatility as both an actor and a professional racer, recently opened up about his personal journey — from enduring 29 surgeries to acknowledging the unwavering support of his wife, Shalini. In a recent interview, the Good Bad Ugly actor reflected on his life, his passion for learning, and the sacrifices that fame demands.
‘I put my heart and soul into everything’
Ajith revealed that his career in cinema and motorsport has been marked by physical challenges and resilience. “I put my heart and soul into everything. There were a lot of challenges. I overcame everything. Even when it comes to racing, I am probably working as hard as a 19-year-old wanting to make racing a career,” he shared with The Hollywood Reporter India. The actor credited his success to collaboration and the right team. “You need to put the right team together. I have been very lucky with the directors, producers and technicians I work with. I am learning so much from them,” he said.
‘None of this would have been possible without Shalini’
Central to Ajith’s journey has been his wife, actress Shalini, who has stood by him through the highs and lows. The actor admitted that she has been his emotional anchor. “I don’t think I am an easy person to live with. I have put her through a lot of hard times, but she has been very supportive. Till the kids came along, she would travel with me for my races. None of this would have been possible without her support,” Ajith shared candidly.
Fame and its sacrifices
Ajith also opened up about the personal cost of stardom — particularly how fame restricts his ability to enjoy normal family moments. “I am confined to my home most of the time. I am grateful to my fans for all the love they give, but because of that same love, I hardly get to be out with my family. I can’t go to my son’s school to drop him off. There have been times when I have been asked to leave, very politely,” he revealed.He added, “In terms of comfort and a good lifestyle, fame gives you a lot, but the things that really matter to you — it takes away all that from you.”
‘I was asked to change my name’
Reflecting on his early struggles, Ajith recalled facing linguistic and identity challenges when he began his career. “I couldn’t speak the language properly. I had an accent in Tamil. But I worked on it,” he said, highlighting his determination to improve.He also revealed that he once faced pressure to change his name. “I was initially asked to change my name because they felt it was not a very common name to have. I insisted that I would not want to have any other name,” Ajith added proudly. Go to Source
