Krishna Ajai Rao-starrer Thayige Takka Maga starts rolling from today. The project will mark the actor’s 25^th film, and will be the first venture from Shashank’s production house. The actor will be working with debutante director Ved Guru.

Ajai who joins the sets today, tells CE that he had committed to the project before realising that it would mark his 25^th film. “I did feel good when I heard about it, but I never calculated that Thayige Takka Maga would mark as my silver jubilee. With luck, this film fell in place.”

“Even if I had tailor-made a film, I wouldn’t have got such a good project in my hands,” says Ajai, who is clear that he is going to put in the same kind of effort like he did with his first film. “This project is a commitment, and I treat it like a responsibility, like I do with every film. Like we say ‘age is just a number’, likewise, Thayige Takka Maga will be just another film to me. Count only matters when defining one’s seniority in the industry and your journey. I don’t remember the order when Tajmahal or Krishnan Love Story released, I only know they are big hits. I believe in giving my all to all films, you never know, which one will become your landmark,” he says.

Thayige Takka Maga is special for Ajai because the actor, who is known for his fondness for his mother, will be sharing screen space with Sumalatha, who plays his reel mother on screen. It will also feature Ashika Ranganthan in the female lead.

Secondly, it will take him back to his karate times.  Ajai is a black belt holder in karate, and is excited to show off his chops for this film.“I was trained in karate professionally, and also trained juniors in my class before getting into acting,” says Ajai, who shared a few pictures of him practising karate with us . “I learnt karate out of passion, now it’s coming handy,” he says.

Another interesting fact is that Ajai is a big fan of Bruce Lee. “I had posters and stickers of Bruce Lee in my room, and would bow to him. My karate style is very similar to Bruce Lee’s. Nunchucks were his favourite weapon, and since I’m also an expert using them, and we have decided to use them in the film,” says Ajai, for whom this film brings back memories of his younger days.

A film titled Thayige Takka Magga featured Dr Rajkumar, who played a boxer’s role, and now Ajai Rao’s film, which has the same title, has him playing a karate trainer. “The older film has Rajkumar seeking justice, but our film explores social injustice. There might some similarity when it comes to the sports aspect, but the story is completely different,” he clarifies, adding, “The film’s theme appeals more to the youth.”