Tamil cinema icon Ajith Kumar, recently bestowed with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, publicly acknowledged the significant part that his actor wife Shalini played in his illustrious career. The star of the recent film Good Bad Ugly received the aforesaid award at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. Following the event, he shared photographs with his wife.
In an interview with India Today, Ajith Kumar expressed profound gratitude for Shalini's unwavering support. "Shalini made many sacrifices. She has been my pillar," the acclaimed actor stated. He further extended his appreciation to his entire family for their steadfast encouragement.
Reflecting on Shalini's role, Ajith elaborated, "There were times when my decisions were probably not right. Yet, she stood by me." The actor emphasised the extent of her support, stating, "I am not being politically correct but I mean it in every sense. She was very popular and loved by all when she married me. Yet, she took a back seat."
Known for his grounded persona, Ajith also shared his preference for simplicity in his public identity. "I prefer being called Ajith. I am an actor by profession and I am paid for my job. Fame and fortunes are byproducts of what you do." He made sure to acknowledge his dedicated fanbase, adding, "That said, I thank my fans for their unimaginable support."
Speaking about the significance of the Padma Bhushan, Ajith admitted the honour is yet to fully register. "I am still a plain, middle-class person at heart. It feels surreal to be experiencing all these emotions. Moments like these tell us that you are in the right direction and you need to continue doing what you are doing," he concluded.
