Ajith Kumar (Tamil: அஜித் குமார்) (born in Hyderabad, India on May 1, 1971) is an Indian film actor. He began his career doing various jobs in Andhra Pradesh, while also attending a theatre for stage plays, to follow his dream to act. After three years of acting in minor roles and small-budget ventures in Indian films, Ajith Kumar gained the Indian cinema’s attention in 1995 by playing the role of Jeeva in Aasai, his first blockbuster and since then he has acted in over forty Indian films, with his main option being the Tamil Cinema industry. He is nicknamed Ultimate Star by his fans and credited as such in his movies. He has high fan followings in the Indian subcontinent, Europe and The Far East. Ajith Kumar, before retiring in 2005, was a motor car racer, taking part in Formula 3 championships for the minor outfit, Mango Racing. He was in 2004, India’s third best driver after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok.

An accomplished dramatic actor and celebrity, he has won several awards at a regional award including State Awards from Tamil Nadu. Ajith Kumar performs predominantly in leading roles in high-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to science fiction and action thrillers. His most popular films include Kadhal Kottai (1996), Vaali (1999), Citizen(2001), Villain (2002), and Varalaru (2006). He is married to fellow Indian actress, Shalini.