VIJAY

A short ride to success. From being C. Joseph Vijay to 'Ilayathalapathy' (young Commander), Vijay has established himself among the most sought after names in the Tamil film industry.

Vijay entered the celluloid world in 1992 under the direction of his father, writer-producer-director
S. A. Chandrasekharan.

Vijay is the recipient of the Best Actor Award for Kaadhalukku Mariyaadhai (1997) and the Kalaimamani award of Tamil Nadu Government for 1998.

A mature and reticent individual, he is a man of few words.

Some of his most notable films are Poove Unakkaaga, Love Today, Naerukku Naer, Kaadalukku Mariyaathai and Thullaadha Manamum Thullum.

AJITH KUMAR

How does a tenth standard dropout make it big?

Among the most in-demand stars in Tamil tinselworld today, Ajith attributes his success to his burning desire to win. A desire that found its fullest expression on the race track.

An avid bike racer, Ajith pumped all his earnings from modelling into buying spares for his bikes. When his textile business ran aground, he saw acting in films as a means to pay off his debts. Poornachandra Rao of Lakshmi Production Company introduced Ajith and Amaraavathi happened. Only after his sixth film Aasai, did he think seriously of acting as a career.

Just before the release of his first film, a bike accident rendered him bedridden for one and half years. Though he had to give up his number one passion - motor racing, his fighting spirit helped him make it big in his film career.

Then followed Kaathal Koattai, after which a spate of five flops. But he made a stupendous comeback with Vaali. His other notable films include Ulaasam, Amarkalam, Mugavari and most recently Kandukondein Kandukondein.

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