It
is difficult to slot him. He had a passion for
motor-bikes and even took part in the two-wheeler
race at Sholavaram, a decade back. Then he took to
acting with the same passion, and has since carved
a niche for himself as one of the top actors among
the younger crop of heroes. And when one thought
that he could be consolidating his position, what
with so many young fresh faces entering into the
acting arena, he has surprised us yet again. He
took up flying, and is just an hour’s experience
away from getting his driving licence! And there
is more. He has taken up motor sporting and has
tied up with Akbar Ebrahim of the ADCA (Advanced
Driving & Corporate Academy Private Limited) to
train him and develop his racing skills.
Meet Ajith Kumar, actor, to-be-pilot, racing
driver. Ajith chats about his new passion and
juggling of careers.
On why he is doing it:
I
have been passionate about racing, since childhood.
People who know me close, like my family and
friends, know this to be a fact. In fact, before I
joined films, I has participated in an
international two-wheeler race. I was determined
to follow it up again, when I had enough money.
For, motor sport is an expensive affair.
On
his films having flopped:
Not at all! If that was the case I would have
taken up motor sporting, when five of my films
flopped last year. I have seen both success and
failure. Hits and flops don’t matter to me any
more.
On the diverse professions:
The movie industry is in many ways like motor
racing. There is a lot of co-relation between the
two. A good actor can at times rise above a bad
script and get noticed. Again, a bad actor however
good a script, can make a mess of it. Similarly, a
good driver can make it at times, despite having a
bad car and vice versa. But ultimately, what
counts in both is the right package!
On
his juggling careers:
Movie is my bread and butter. And I’ve to live up
to an image. I’ve planned to do not more than two
films a year. I want the right package, both in
films and in racing. We have a race spread over
seven months and it suits my acting career. It
won’t be easy balancing both, but I’m determined
to do it. It won’t affect my family life either.
On pushing himself:
All the way! My wife Shalini knows how committed I
am when I take up something. I am learning flying
and I’m just an hour away from my pilot’s license.
On his choice of coach:
Motor sports like any other needs not only
dedication, but also a good coach. So when I
planned to enter into it, Akbar was the one I
thought of. I’ve known him since his cricket days.
I’ve been following his racing career, and seen
him race at Sholavaram. He has trained others
before me, and I think he’s the best to train me.
On the age factor:
I
know that drivers today start early, in their 16s
and 17s. I am thirty years old, but today racing
is much safer than what it was earlier. Further a
five-time champion, started the age of 38. Though
I am persuading Akbar to make it move fast, we are
taking one step at a time.
On
the financial aspect:
Sponsors are talking to us. We’ll have to discuss
this. Some may be coming only because I’m a film
star. I don’t want to set a bad example. I’m
particular that no one gets a raw deal. Akbar will
be managing my career in motor racing and he’ll do
what’s best for us and the sport.
On his racing position in 2003:
I
really don’t know. I don’t want to speculate. I
don’t want to talk big or give false hopes. Let me
come to 2003 and then we will see!