Actor Ajith Kumar was recently honoured with the Padma Bhushan award by President Droupadi Murmu. In an interview with India Today, Ajith opened up about the people who helped him reach where he is today, especially his wife, Shalini Ajith. When asked about receiving the Padma Bhushan, Ajith said, “I am grateful to my family for their support. Shalini… she made so many sacrifices. She’s been my pillar; I’m extremely grateful to the universe. Everyone who has been with me through some great difficult times. And my fans who have given me unconditional love through good days and bad days. Things have been good, so I hope it remains this way.”
He then went on to explain just how much Shalini has meant to him in his journey. “I am not trying to sound politically correct here. I mean it in every sense. She was very popular and was loved by the people. And for her to just, you know… take a backseat. There were times when my decisions have probably not been the right decisions. But she still stood by me, not discouraging me and standing by my side during the tough times. She deserves a lot of credit for everything I have achieved in my life.”
When Ajith Kumar Thanked Shalini After Victory Lap
This isn't the first time Ajith has publicly credited his wife. Earlier this year, when his team came third in the Dubai 24H car race, a fan video showed him walking up to Shalini, smiling, hugging and kissing her in a sweet moment of celebration. In another clip that went viral, Ajith is seen thanking his team and looking at Shalini with a smile, saying, “Shalu, thank you for letting me race,” while she blushes at his words.
Ajith’s team, Ajith Kumar Racing, also shared the news of their triumph on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Double whammy for Ajith Kumar. 3rd place in the 991 category and Spirit of the Race in the GT4 category. What a remarkable comeback after an accident due to a brake failure."
Ajith Kumar's Racing Career
Ajith Kumar, known for his illustrious acting career, is also a passionate racing driver. He made a comeback to the racing circuit after 15 years, having previously participated in the MRF Racing series in 2010. Ajith has competed on circuits across India, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, and is one of the few Indians to race in international arenas and Formula championships.
Who Is Shalini, Former Actor Married To Ajith Kumar
Shalini, on the other hand is a former actor and child artist, who made a significant mark in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. She began her acting journey as a child artist in the film Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku and quickly rose to prominence during the 1980s, becoming one of the most successful child stars in both industries.
After taking a break from acting, Shalini returned to the silver screen in 1997, transitioning to lead roles in Malayalam and Tamil films. Her comeback film, Aniyathipravu, turned out to be a massive hit. Shalini later married renowned Tamil actor Ajith Kumar and officially retired from the film industry to focus on her personal life.
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