He's a high profile star whose longevity is staggering — he's completed a half-century in K'town — and whose versatility is awesome.
His other interests include aero-modeling, motor racing and rifle shooting… all apart from his first love, 'acting'.
This pastime helps him de-stress amidst the chaos and hectic schedules which are part and parcel of a film actor's life. Here's Ajith on his hobby.
"It started a decade back, when I was shooting for my filmDheena. My cinematographer Aravind Kamalanathan lent me his Nikon F2 camera and ever since, I've been hooked on photography," is how the Mankatha star began his conversation with DC.
The actor said he randomly captured on film whatever caught his fancy until one fine day he decided he needed to learn the technical intricacies of photography.
"I felt whatever I'd shot initially was amateurish and that's when I decided to take formal training. So I enrolled for a two weeks' crash course in photography at a private institute called Ambitions in Chennai," Ajith reveals.
Of course, ever since the birth of his little bundle of joy — Anoushka, the avid photographer has not missed out on a single stage of her growth.
The actor owns two high-end professional cameras, a Nikon D2X and a Nikon D700 and a few good lenses with all the accessories.
"I make it a point to carry my camera while traveling for shoots. I love to capture candid shots of unusual sights that I may spot.
Reality offers us such wealth that we must cut some of it out immediately to preserve and cherish. I consider photography to be a poetic experience and expression", the actor waxes lyrical.
Ajith Kumar is currently shooting in Goa for his upcoming film Billa 2. The latest natural sculpture to catch his eye was an incomplete rock carving at a beach in Goa. "I clicked this picture while I was unwinding on one of the beaches in Goa two days ago.
The incomplete carving on the rock is of 'Lord Shiva'. The artist was of foreign origin, he was deported back to his country as his visa had expired," Ajith reveals.
Besides clicking some memorable pictures, the actor has another feather in his cap — he's given them some hilarious, yet thought provoking, captions! Explaining them, he says, ''Circus' — I noticed this funny sight — fish in an auto — while I was on my way to the location in Vizag for my film Kireedom."