Tamil actor Ajith Kumar’s popularity has really soared over the years, and he has acquired a larger-than-life persona after hits like Billa and Mankatha.
Now, expectations are huge with his latest venture Yennai Arindhaal. It has been directed by Gautham Menon.
A look at the movies that made him a star:
Vaali (1999)
S J Surya’s critically acclaimed Vaali starred Simran opposite Ajith, who essayed a dual role in the film.
Ajith played a deaf and mute brother with psychotic tendencies, who is obsessed with his twin’s wife.
Without uttering a single word, he managed to convey the negative emotions of his character.
Vaali provided a major breakthrough for both Ajith and Simran. The supporting cast included Jyothika, sister of actress Nagma, who made her debut here.
Dheena (2001)
Dheena marked the directorial debut of A R Murugadoss of Ghajini fame. The film had two powerful characters, played by Ajith and popular Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi.
Even as the two ruffians are sucked deeper into their self-made web of violence, they suspect each other of betrayal and eventually try to kill each other.
A fast-paced commercial entertainer, Dheena set the cash registers ringing.
Poovellam Un Vaasam (2001)
Poovellam Un Vaasam was a romantic family entertainer directed by Ezhil.
Jyothika was paired opposite Ajith and the duo played childhood buddies, who later fall in love.
The film did not cater to Ajith’s mass hero image but his quiet, understated performance was lauded by critics and fans.
Citizen (2001)
In Citizen, an offbeat thriller, Ajith appeared in 10 different get-ups. The film was directed by Sharavanan Subbaiya.
It narrated the distressing tale of an entire village being destroyed by the greed of power-hungry government officials. The film opened to rave reviews and became a huge commercial success.
Villain (2002)
Ajith played twins in Villain, directed by K S Ravikumar. One of the twins was a bus driver, the other was handicapped.
Ajith was equally convincing as the good-looking bus conductor, constantly chased by women, and the foolishly grinning, physically and mentally challenged brother.