The November 2025 issue of The Hollywood Reporter India has a striking cover featuring Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar, which perfectly captures his dual identity as an actor and a racer. The cover shows the actor in a pristine white racing suit, leaning casually on a red McLaren. The image effectively captures the essence of his world – the contrast between the high-octane excitement of the racetrack and his personal peace – which the magazine aptly titled: “Speed and peace co-exist.”
In the same interview, he also discussed the difficulties that come with fame and credited his wife Shalini for her unwavering support through it all.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 statements made by Ajit Kumar.
On his upcoming project AK 64
Speaking about his much-awaited upcoming project, Ajith confirmed that he will start shooting in a few months. He revealed, “I will start shooting for my next film in a few months. The official announcement may be in January 2026.” This film is considered to be a family entertainer, which will be liked by all the fans. Ajith was last seen in Good Bad Ugly.
On toxic fan culture and fame
The Thunivu actor expressed his concern about the toxic side of fan culture and the dangers it poses. While he thanked his fans, saying, “Today I live a good life thanks to my fans. But in the name of celebration, tearing up seats or screens – come on, all this must end. Media comparisons about inaugurations only fuel it. Next time, fans want to prove who is bigger. This has to stop,” he called for an end to destructive behavior driven by media-driven rivalry.
Ajith also reflected on the serious drawbacks of stardom. He revealed the personal toll of his fame, saying, “I can’t even drop my son to school. I can’t drive in India. If I get noticed, 50 or 60 motorcycles follow me for a photo, putting everyone’s life at risk. They claim to be fans, but accidents can happen. I have bruises on my hands – one was even cut with a blade.”
They were asked to change their name
Ajith was born to a Tamil father and a Sindhi mother. He started in the industry without knowing the language well. “I couldn’t speak the language properly. My accent was in Tamil, but I worked on it,” he revealed. Ajith also highlighted how early in his career people had suggested him to change his name to something ‘more familiar’. “Initially I was asked to change my name because they thought it was not a common name. I insisted that I would not want to have any other name.”
On the potential risks of racing
During his six-hour practice session for the Dubai 24H 2025, Ajit Kumar almost escaped a high-speed car accident. His Porsche was seen spinning several times before hitting the wall railing at a speed of 180 km/h. Speaking about the same, Ajith also talked about his passion for racing and the risks it entails. Emphasizing that while the adrenaline kick is at its peak during riding, there is also a lingering sense of anxiety. “You are worried about your family. It is not right on our part to put them through so much stress.”
Asked if the thought of quitting racing had ever crossed his mind, Ajith said, “I have undergone 29 surgeries.”
Ajith last acted in Good Bad Ugly, which proved to be a blockbuster.
