Ajith Following Rajinikanth’s Footsteps to Himalayas

Ajith is back in Chennai after the hectic first schedule of his upcoming film ‘Billa 2’. He is taking a break, before the start of the next schedule of ‘Billa 2’.

Ajith is a big family man, as when he is not shooting his pastime is spending time with family. Ajith is also said to be very spiritual. “Yes, I’m spiritual and love to visit places of worship. I regularly visit Hindu temples. Recently, I visited Guruvayur and Chottanikarai temples in Kerala, Chamundeeswari and Moogambikai shrines in Karnataka and Nagoor and Velankanni in Tamil Nadu. I also took a padha yatra to Tirupati from Thiruvanmiyur four times,” discloses Ajith.

He goes on pilgrimage by foot along with his friends to Thirupathi. Unbelievable that he goes walking to Thirupathi from Thiruvanmiyur with his friends and it takes him five days. He has gone walking not once but four times so far to Tirupathi from his house in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

Ajith has said that he would like to visit the Himalayas soon. “Like Rajini sir, I also want to visit Himalayas to see places and experience the spiritual space around there! Rajini sir gave me a lot of books about the holy mountain and after reading the books, I am seriously planning to go to Himalayas. It has kindled me an interest to pay a visit to the Himalayas,” he said.

Speaking about his Himalayan plans Ajith says that superstar Rajinikanth had told him lots about the holy places in the Himalayas and he is awaiting a right time to go there.

All Ajith wants is to earn a good name as that is what that matters at the end of the day. If Ajith goes to the Himalayas, the spiritual ascent will give him enough maturity to ascend further in both his personal and professional life.

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Ajith’s Billa 2 to release in April

After Mankatha, Ajith will have his Billa 2 hitting the screens. Directed by Chakri Toleti, sources confirm that the movie would hit the screens on April 14, 2012 ( Tamil New Year day).

Produced under the banner of Wide Angle Creations and presented by Mumbai based Sunir Kheterpal, CEO of IN Entertainment (India) Limited, part of the Hinduja Group, the movie stars Sudhanshu Pandey, Bruna Abdullah and Malayalam actor Manoj K Jayan will play prominent roles in this film.

The movie has msuic by Yuvan Shankar raja and shooting has already commenced. Major portion of the movie is being canned in Goa now. Sources say that the crew may shoot few scenes in Russia.

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Ajith’s next with A M Rathnam

The veteran producer and the actor have buried their differences and the former will be producing the star's next

In the film industry, friends turning foes or vice versa is a frequent phenomenon. Some time back, the rift between Ajith and veteran producer A M Rathnam over their respective stand over an industry-related issue was the talk of town. It's no news that Rathnam, who was to do a film with Ajith before the rift and had paid him an advance, demanded the actor return the money. It looked like the two would never work together after that.

But now, the table seems to have turned and the buzz is that Rathnam has offered a whopping 15 crore to Ajith for his next film post Billa 2. While the deal is yet to be inked, a hesitant Rathnam tells CT, "Yes, I will be doing a film with Ajith. I'm in talks and it's too early to confirm now. The details of the project can be revealed only later."

A source close to the actor concurs, "Ajith's next project is being produced by A M Rathnam and right now, it looks like Vishnuvardhan will be directing the venture. But, of course, we will get a clear picture only after a while. As of now, Ajith is concentrating on Billa 2 and is working hard on his character. But the project with Rathnam will go on floors only by December, after Ajith finishes Billa 2."

Interestingly, Ajith, who worked with Vishnu in Billa, was supposed to work with him on Billa 2 as well. But, due to an earlier commitment, the director had to walk out of the prequel, which is now being directed by Chakri Toleti (of Unnaipol Oruvan fame). However, Ajith had always maintained that Vishnu is one of his favourite directors and he would definitely work with him in the future.

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I am Rajini's Ekalaiva: Ajith

Comparing his relationship with Superstar Rajinikanth with that of Ekalaiva and Dhronacharya in the great epic Mahabharata, Ajith has said he had learnt many things from the numero uno actor of Tamil cinema by watching him from distance.

"I shaped up my career on the lines of Rajini sir. Like how there was no one to support him when he made his foray in the industry, I too didn't have anyone to back me up. But I got enough inspiration from the Superstar. He is my Dhronacharya and I am his Ekalaiva," said the 'Thala'.

Saying that he would like to dedicate the success of his 50th film 'Mankatha' to Rajini, Ajith said, "At the same time, I would like to personally express my gratitude to each member of the cast and crew, who gave nothing but their best to Mankatha."

On many young actors of Tamil film industry considering him as their role model, the star, who is currently busy shooting for 'Billa 2', said, "The mere word 'thanks' is not enough to express my feelings. Honestly speaking, I don't know how to react."

Meanwhile, when a leading daily quizzed him whether he will enter politics, Ajith expressed that he strongly feels each citizen should do their duty which is more then enough. Quoted the Thala, "I act, earn, pay taxes, do the little good I can, vote and take care of my family. I expect my fans will do the same. Leave politics to the Government, they'll take care. Its no good if everyone enters politics. We talk of corruption and bribery, but I strongly believe each Indian is responsible for this. How many of us follow basic things such as traffic rules in our lives? Lets do our duties, even that's as good as politics".

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Ajith’s Mankatha gets the second biggest opening ever

‘Ultimate Star’ Ajith is often referred to as the King of Opening by the critics. The way his films open leave even his harsh critics spellbound. Mankatha, Ajith’s 50th film, that released on August 31, has broken his previous record of Billa. Mankatha was made at a budget of 30 crore and within ten days of its release, the film had made a business of Rs 36 crore.

Trade sources from Chennai point out that Mankatha, directed by Venkat Prabhu, has grossed the second biggest opening ever in Tamil, after Endhiran. The film, which also has Arjun in a key role along with Trisha and Lakshmi Rai as the heroines, has collected at least Rs. 8 crore on the opening day. On release days, shows began as early as 5 a.m., with 100 per cent attendance. Multiplexes in Chennai, like Satyam, Mayajaal etc, had all of their screens showing Mankatha on the opening day and the collection figures were simply great. Shows went on non-stop from morning till night and die-hard fans of ‘Thala’ Ajith still remained without tickets.

Meanwhile, the actor recently shot a foot-tapping number for Billa. The song, choreographed by Raju Sundaram and composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, was canned in Pondicherry.

Billa 2, which comes after Vishnuvardhan’s Billa, goes back into the past and Billa’s childhood and narrates how he came to be an underworld guy. Chakri Toleti, the director of Unaipol Oruvan, the Tamil remake of A Wednesday, is helming Billa 2.

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