On Thala's birthday, we give you some of his films, where the actor in the star reigned supreme. From Aasai to Viswasam, the list is proof of the acting prowess of the star.

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Happy Birthday Ajith Kumar: 13 films where the actor outshone the star

Team CE

Updated:30th Apr, 2020 at 11:04 PM

Ajith aces his three characters (a father and his two sons) in Varalaru. As a wheelchair-bound multi-millionaire, a feminine Bharatanatyam dancer, and a ruthless villain, Ajith is just unstoppable.

Ajith's portrayal of a lovelorn youth in Kaadhal Kottai is considered to be one of his best yet. The film won three national awards (Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay).

Aasai - the film that made Ajith a heartthrob overnight. His spunky portrayal of the lover boy earned him many female fans and the film was also labeled the first blockbuster of Ajith.

Ajith reprises Mohanlal's role in the Tamil remake of the original, Kireedam. As a youth, who wants to become a cop to fulfill his father's dream, Ajith is almost as convincing as the complete actor.

Despite having a star-studded cast including the likes of Mammootty, Tabu, and Aishwarya Rai, Ajith's performance as a struggling filmmaker stands out in Rajeev Menon's KanduKonden Kandukonden.

Mankatha- the film that laid the seeds for the delicious grey shades, which Ajith had owned with aplomp. His portrayal of the rapacious ACP, VInayak Mahadev, if I may, is film-school material.

As Sathyadev IPS. Ajith is in his vulnerable-yet-heroic best in GVM's Yennai Arindhaal. A lead, who cries his heart out, admits his weaknesses, and battles his guilt. Now, that's one for the ages.

Ajith is brilliant as the cold-hearted ruffian with a abusive childhood, who finds himself in an unlikely romance, in Saran's Amarkalam.

Ajith is in his natural best - sans the frills of a star with a huge fan following - in Ezhil's romantic drama, Poovellam Un Vaasam. How we wish we can see him like this, again!

A modern-day adaptation of a legend from the Ramayana, SJ Suryah's masterpiece, Vaali, has Ajith - in his breakout role - playing fraternal twins , one of whom is deaf, mute and sickeningly lustful.

Ajith essays the role of a struggling musician to a tee in the intense musical drama, Mugavaree. The film, which boasts of a groundbreaking climax, earned the actor many awards.

Ajith aces the dual role yet again in KS Ravikumar's Villain. As twin brothers - one with a mild intellectual disability, and the trickster, who apes his brother, Ajith is delightful in this fun film.

Ajith, as the husband who makes a mistake and atones in his own brawny way, is lively, intense, and vulnerable, all at the same time in Siva's Viswasam. And let me tell you, that's no mean feat.

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