Happy Birthday Thala!

Ajith, often fondly called as Thala, celebrates his 40^th birthday today. A typical Taurus man, Ajith has built an image of a very calm, quiet, practical, composed, humble as well as levelheaded person outside his film life – true to the personality traits depicted by his sun sign. He is also the one to speak his mind out in matters that are otherwise considered way too politically incorrect in the conservative Tamil film industry.

He recently announced his decision to hang the boots on the activities of his fan clubs, located across the state and other parts of the world. Ajith was never the one to encourage fan clubs, always shunning his association with them. He is also someone who is not hounded by the media at his every move because he actively discourages media. He hardly attends film events (unless they are absolutely necessary warranting his attendance – like events that require to show solidarity for a valid cause or personal events like weddings). His devil-may-care attitude has also created a shroud around his persona, difficult for the media to break into.

Ajith’s decision on his fan clubs comes as no surprise but it’s definitely a letdown for his fans. Ajith has good intentions in dissolving these clubs; he does not want his fans to get carried away by his film persona and waste time on activities relating to promoting his films and his brand image. By doing that he also sets precedent to his contemporaries, who thrive on the support of fan clubs. Often, fan clubs sprout at every street corner for actors who are as less as one film-old. Not a healthy trend but it has never been spoken against since the actor benefits hugely out of these clubs.

Like every year, Ajith celebrates his birthday in the quiet of his domesticity – with wife Shalini and daughter Anoushka. Fans will gather around his house in hundreds, chanting ‘Thala’ hoping to catch a glimpse of their matinee idol whose Mankatha is gearing up for a release soon.

The comic-action thriller Mankatha has raised expectations because it brings together Ajith and Venkat Prabhu’s quirky film making skills, laced with his cheeky humor and racy plots. Mankatha was also supposed to be Ajith’s birthday treat for his fans but was later postponed due to technical delays in post-production works. The movie will now release in June.

Here’s wishing the thala a very happy and successful 40^th birthday.

• Are there no Tamil babes?