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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
No more early morning shows for big-ticket Tamil films even outside TN
Chennai: There will be no more 4.30am release of Tamil films even outside the state. Tamil Nadu stopped early morning release of big budget films in 2023 when a fan died in a stampede at 'Thunivu' screening. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Yet, producers continued to have releases at 4.30am in other states, while keeping the 9am show as the first show within Tamil Nadu. Now, big-ticket films, including Kamal Hassan's ;Thug Life;, will only hit screens from 9am onwards. Producers blame poor security in neighbouring states, rising theatre vandalism, low booking commissions for theatres, and paid reviews before release, affecting the bookings adversely. Even Ajith's Good Badly Ugly and Suriya's Retro had only 9 am releases. S R Prabhu, producer with Dream Warrior Pictures, said early morning shows are getting regulated in all states. "It's a challenge to secure police security for such early shows in other states. Fans come in craze, and mishaps tend to happen. So, many prefer not to have such shows early in the day," he said. Prabhu mentioned that paid influencers and YouTube reviewers who attend such shows give exaggerated reviews, both positive and negative, for reach. "So, even before a movie is released, it affects the booking. We just want people to directly view the show instead of getting influenced by such reviews," he said. Thiruppur Kumaran, representing Tamil Nadu Theater and Multiplex Owners Association, said fans come drunk and end up vandalising the seats and screens. "We cannot control the frenzy on such occasions. It's better to have morning shows," he said. People from Coimbatore mostly go to Kerala to watch, while those in Krishnagiri go to Bengaluru. Fans from Chennai go to Nagari in Andhra Pradesh to catch early shows. Prabhu also added that when fan clubs book in bulk, theatres don't get booking commissions.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ajith's emotional tribute to F1 legend Ayrton Senna wins the internet. Watch
Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar visited the memorial of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna in Imola, Italy, to pay his respects. A passionate racer himself, Ajith was seen kissing Senna's statue at the very spot where the F1 icon lost his life during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The emotional video is now going viral on social media.A three-time Formula One World Champion, Ayrton Senna, tragically lost his life in an accident at the Imola racetrack. Deeply moved, Ajith Kumar was seen offering a heartfelt tribute, kneeling before Senna's statue, kissing its feet, and bowing his head in a gesture of reverence and also placed his racing helmet at the base of the statue, symbolically honouring Senna's legendary legacy in motorsport. Watch the videos here: Fans admired Ajith's gesture and reacted to the heartfelt video. One user wrote, "Man's respect towards his idol (sic)." While, the other commented, "What a man. No words to say (sic)." A third fan noted Ajith seeking Senna's the comments here: In an interview with India Today, Ajith Kumar talked about his racing comeback. Calling it "organic", the superstar said, "I don't think it's fair on my part to be putting Shalini or my loved ones through this. I'm sure my family is worried, but my wife, Shalini, also realises that racing is something I have been doing since I was very young."advertisementHe added, "Even before I became an actor, it just happened organically. If you ask me how it happened, I can't pinpoint any one particular moment. It was there at the back of my mind that I needed to get back to racing. Of course, I am too old for single-seaters now."The 'Thunivu' actor stated that he feels happy when he is at the racetrack. On the acting front, Ajith Kumar was last seen in 'Good Bad Ugly', directed by Adhik Watch
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Bagavathi Perumal Interview: I miss playing a villain like Berlin
It's rare for an actor to have back-to-back films becoming hits at the box office within just days of each other. It is even more rare to have the actor play two distinct roles and find success in both. Actor Bagavathi Perumal, who has been basking in the successes of Gangers, and now Tourist Family, credits it to the 'blessings' that he has been receiving in his life. And a couple of such recent blessings include fulfilling his lifelong dream of working with Mani Ratnam and Sundar C. 'After Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, Sundar sir invited me and Rajkumar to his house, and expressed his interest in casting us in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru. But I couldn't do it as I was more inclined towards direction. It took a decade for a similar opportunity to come my way,' he explains, adding, 'In fact, I apologised for missing the opportunity, and he was magnanimous enough to say that I was a great performer and the audience would miss me if I chose to become a director.' The actor earned plaudits for his performance as a timid police officer in Gangers, and held his own against the legendary Vadivelu. "Just like how you need many players in a football match to reach the goal, you need multiple people for comedy to land. I have seen all of Vadivelu sir's comedies, and I, just like everyone else, use quite a lot of his references in my daily life. But only when you work with him, you understand that he is a master in his craft," he shares. "I was stunned to see his face changing with every word. If he was in Bollywood or Hollywood, he would have become world famous." Bagavathi's filmography comprises characters starkly varied from one another, each exploring a different facet and behaviour altogether. "This is solely possible because of the script. I try to choose roles that are different, but I don't think Super Deluxe's Berlin and Thunivu's Rajesh are very different. In fact, whenever I slightly stepped out of my character in Thunivu, H Vinoth would tell me that I am stepping into Berlin's shoes," says Bagavathi, who reveals an important learning from the filming on Gangers. "When I pointed out to Sundar C sir that it is illogical for my character to do a particular act, he just laughed and said that logic doesn't play a prominent role in his films. When directors are clear about what they are expecting from the characters, you also deliver unique roles," says the actor. This is evident even when directors are clear about casting a particular actor from the scripting stage, underlines Bagavathi. "That's what happened in many films, including Vasan Bala's Monica, O My Darling. Sometimes, the inverse has also worked in favour. Take Blue Star for example. Such instances reinstate the belief and validation that we are acting well," he says, before going on to share another detail on Killer Soup. " Abhishek Chaubey wanted to cast me in the web series after watching my performance in Super Deluxe, but I wasn't inspired by the character he gave me. I told him that I was okay to act even in smaller roles. It was then he pitched me the detective Kiran Nadar role. I was impressed and immediately said yes. If directors don't give me such characters, where will I go and perform?"
India Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ajith shares story of becoming 'accidental actor': Took up job to pay my debts
Ajith Kumar, one of the most celebrated actors of Tamil cinema, called himself an 'accidental actor'. In his exclusive sit-down conversation with India Today, he spoke about how he chanced upon acting. He recounted the time he took up acting gigs just to pay his debts. The 'Thunivu' actor candidly stated that he was 'terrible' in his initial films. Later, he ended up working hard on his diction, language and everything else to become the star that he is actor opened up about getting into modelling to support his passion - racing. "Acting was never on my radar. I am an accidental actor. I was working as a merchandiser in a government firm. In fact, after school, I worked for an automobile company. I was with them as an apprentice for about six months. When I started racing, I was 18. My parents were way ahead of their time. I remember my father telling me, 'Ajith, motorsports is very expensive, I cannot support you financially. But, I cannot stop you. You'll have to find your way," he further, "It so happened that I was at the racetrack that I was approached by a model co-ordinator who handed me his card and asked me to contact him if I was interested in modelling. I thought let me give it a shot. I started getting assignments and the money I made there [in modelling], I used to spend it on racing. " advertisement Talking about how he made his film debut, he said, "Initially, I got an audition for a Telugu film - a language that I couldn't speak. I decided to pursue it. My parents were very concerned and said, 'Ajith, nobody in the family has been in the film industry. Think about it'. I told them, 'I know I'm leaping into the dark. But, imagine people who want to become actors come to know that I had refused an offer that came to me. Imagine how angry they would be.' It's something that's coming my way. To not make use of an opportunity that comes your way is a sin. That's how I became an actor."Ajith Kumar also recalled how journalists were taken aback by his honesty in the early days of his career. "I was very naive, and I remember being asked a question by a journalist about what made me take up acting. I told the person that I had debts due to my failed business and that my idea was to do a couple of films and pay my debts. He was flabbergasted. So he asked me if I came in for the money. I told him, 'how many people have the intention of paying back debt? So, why don't you appreciate me agreeing to take a leap into the dark - an unknown territory?' It wasn't like someone casually asked me to come and act. It was an audition and I cracked it. I had to prove myself worthy of an opportunity and that too, in a language I didn't know."advertisementCalling it destiny, Ajith spoke about how he wanted to improve once things got serious at work. He admitted that he was a terrible actor in his early days, but eventually worked his way up."Certain things are destined. You just live the day, be honest, have strong work ethics. I didn't come to the industry wanting to be famous or seeking fame. I wanted money to pay back my debts. If you see my first few films, I was a terrible actor. Even in Tamil, I had other actors dub for me for my first few films. I was criticised for my anglicised accent. Even till this day, mimicry artists mimic my earlier diction. But, I worked on it. I worked on my diction, I worked on my Tamil and a lot of things. I was sincere and honest in my career," he Kumar was last seen in director Adhik Ravichandran's 'Good Bad Ugly', which hit theatres on April 10. The film grossed Rs 200 crore and still running successfully in select theatres.
Economic Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Ajith Kumar hospitalised after suffering injury at Chennai airport
Ajith Kumar has reportedly been hospitalised in Chennai. The actor returned to the city on April 29 after the Padma Awards ceremony in New Delhi. Ajith Kumar was last seen in the film Good Bad Ugly. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ajith Kumar's return to Chennai #Arrambam scene Recreation 🔥 Craze Level gone into another extreme. Unparalleled Fan base of #AjithKumar 🙏 undefined Unaɪse Reborn (@unnuviews) April 30, 2025 Ajith Kumar on his Padma Bhushan award Ajith Kumar's Good Bad Ugly Actor Ajith Kumar has been hospitalised in Chennai. The news has sparked concern among the actor's fans. The 53-year-old actor was conferred with the Padma Bhushan by President Droupadi Murmu on April to initial reports, Ajih Kumar was admitted to the hospital for a routine checkup. An India Today report later claimed that the Good Bad Ugly actor had suffered 'a small injury in his leg' on Tuesday, April Read: Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 collects over Rs 5 crore in advance bookings; details here According to the report, the Vidaamuyarchi actor is recovering at a private hospital in Chennai. Ajith Kumar, or AK as fans call him, sustained the injury when he was mobbed by fans while returning with his family from New Delhi."Ajith Kumar sir suffered a small injury in his leg when he was mobbed by a huge crowd at the Chennai airport. Hence, he had to be admitted for physiotherapy. The actor is likely to be discharged this evening. There's nothing to worry about his health,' a source told the news the actor and his team have not commented on the rumours of his hospitalisation, fans have been worried about the Thunivu star. Many posted messages on social media demanding an official statement about the actor's videos of the actor's return to Chennai after the Padma Awards ceremony have gone viral. Ajith was present at the ceremony with his wife, Shalini, and their kids - Anoushka and Aadvik. Clips from the airport show a swarm of fans around the actor as he tried to get away from the 53-year-old thanked his family, particularly his wife Shalini, after receiving the Padma Bhushan. He also expressed his gratitude to his fans.'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,' Ajith actor was last seen in the film Good Bad Ugly alongside Trisha Krishnan and Arjun Das. Good Bad Ugly was a commercial and critical success. The actioner, which released on April 10, grossed over Rs 150 crore in Read: Housefull 5 teaser: Akshay Kumar's next film promises to be a 'killer comedy'
