Ajith recalls his parents' advice when he expressed desire to pursue ‘expensive sport' of racing: ‘You either start working or…'

Indian Express

19-05-2025

Tamil star Ajith Kumar has proven by example that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. At the age of 54 and at the peak of his cinema career, Ajith has made a bold return to the world of motor racing — his true passion — and is currently making impressive strides in the field. Following his team Ajith Kumar Racing's spectacular performance at the 24H Dubai 2025 endurance race this January, they went on to secure a podium finish at the renowned Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium too.
Nonetheless, Ajith's interest isn't limited to car racing, and he also once ventured into bike racing. In fact, his motorsport journey began with motorcycle racing, which was a more accessible option for him financially, as he did not come from a affluent background. While his parents couldn't provide financial support, Ajith recently revealed that they were never against his dreams. He also shared that when he decided to return to racing after finding success in cinema, his father supported him wholeheartedly.
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'I started by racing bikes because it was more affordable. I'm very grateful that I had parents who weren't opposed to my participation. But my father, very honestly, told me, 'Look, Ajith, it's a very expensive sport. I may not be able to support you. But if you find your sponsors and can find a way around it, go ahead.' Since I dropped out of school, my parents were very clear about one thing. They said, 'You either pursue education and academics to at least get a basic degree, or you start working; no wasting time.' I chose the latter; to work,' he shared during a chat with Mashable India. He also revealed that it was in 1990, when the racing scene moved from Sholavaram and the first Grand Prix was held at Irungattukottai, that he made his debut.
Unlike last year, when he had no new releases, two films featuring Ajith Kumar have already hit the screens this year and that too in the first four months itself. While director Magizh Thirumeni's Vidaamuyarchi did not achieve the expected success, he managed to make a massive comeback with Adhik Ravichandran's Good Bad Ugly. Both movies featured Trisha Krishnan as the female lead.