Ajith Kumar Says Subash Chandra Bose Inspired His Racing Dream: ‘Dad Told Me To Find Sponsors'
At 54, while still a leading man in films, Ajith has returned to motorsports which he has loved since his youth.
Ajith Kumar has long been one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated stars, but his heart lies on the racetrack. At 54, while still a leading man in films, Ajith has returned to motorsports which he has loved since his youth. His team, Ajith Kumar Racing, recently delivered an impressive performance at the 24H Dubai endurance race in January 2025 and followed it up with a podium finish at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
In a conversation with Mashable India, Ajith traced his motorsport journey back to the early '90s, when he started out racing motorcycles due to financial constraints. 'I started by racing bikes because it was more affordable. I'm very grateful that I had parents who weren't opposed to my participation. But my father, very honestly, told me, 'Look, Ajith, it's a very expensive sport. I may not be able to support you. But if you find your sponsors and can find a way around it, go ahead,'" Ajith revealed.
Despite not coming from a wealthy background, Ajith's parents believed in hard work and responsibility. 'Since I dropped out of school, my parents were very clear about one thing. They said, 'You either pursue education and academics to at least get a basic degree, or you start working; no wasting time.' I chose the latter; to work," he added.
Ajith made his debut in racing in 1990 at Irungattukottai, when the Grand Prix racing scene moved from Sholavaram. His first endurance race lasted two hours, and he finished in fifth place. But what truly changed his life was a moment of validation from a racing legend. 'In September 1990, we had an endurance race for two hours. I finished fifth. I remember Mr Subash Chandra Bose walking to my pits, and he said you should pursue motorsports. It's there in you," Ajith recalled.
Motorbike personality Subash Chandra Bose, also known as 'Bullet Bose', is recognised for his dominance between 1968 and 1994 when he won the Indian Grand Prix title 15 times with his self-modified 350cc Royal Enfield, at the All-India Race Meet at Sholavaram race track.
Meanwhile, Ajith has spent over three decades in cinema, delivering numerous Tamil blockbusters. Even with a demanding film career, he continues to carve time for his passion.
While he had no releases in 2024, 2025 has already seen two films featuring him. Although Vidaamuyarchi, directed by Magizh Thirumeni, fell short of expectations, Ajith bounced back with Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran. Both films also starred Trisha Krishnan as the female lead.
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