In this first article of the series of Ajith Birthday Special from IndiaGlitz, we wish to recall what makes Thala, unique and special than many other mass heroes of Tamil film industry:

1, After the blockbuster success of Kadhal Kottai', Ajith acted in five films in 1997-Nesam', Raasi', Ullasam', Pagaivan' and Rettai Jada Vayasu'. In a interview he gave later he admitted all these were disasters. He is the only actor among the current generation of heroes to have emerged as a star after sustaining continuous flops in the same year.

2, Ajith is the first mass hero (at least among the current generation of stars) to have acted as a villain in a Hindi film (Ashoka) at a time when he is a well established star in Tamil.

3, Ajith has acted in a number of double hero subjects or films with two or more hero actors in the star cast. He has acted with Prashanth (Kalloori Vasal) Sathyaraj (Pagaivan),Mammootty and Abbas (Kandukondein Kandukondein), Parthiban ( Nee Varuvai Ena'), Karthik (Ananda Poongatre), Suresh Gopi (Dheena), Arjun (Mankatha), Arya (Arrambam') and Arun Vijay (Yennai Arindhaal). Even after becoming a mass star, Ajith films have always had equal importance in the film for the other stars like in Mankatha' and Yennai Arindhaal'.

4, Much before multi-starrers became a trend, Ajith acted in a multi-starrer Kandukondein Kandukondein' in the year 2000 at a time when he had become a star of his own might

5, As far as Kollywood is concerned, Ajith is the first hero to have done the remake of a yesteryear Tamil film which had the Superstar who is till date worshipped by fans. Without copying Rajinikanth in any manner, Ajith presented his own version of Billa' and emerged successful.

6, Among his peers, Ajith is the star actor who played many heroic characters with negative shades- Billa', Mankatha' and Billa 2'.

7, Despite having a huge fan base, Ajith has never had any political ambitions and his films have never carried anything such as politically charged lyrics in introduction songs and punch dialogues intended to manipulate his fans as a political force.

8, At a time when actors taking part in promotions are most vital for a film's success. Ajith never takes part in any promotional events. Despite the criticism from many people within and outside the industry, he sticks to his policy that a good film does not need promotion.

9, No other film star has been trolled and abused for his physical features like Ajith. In early 2000s, he was so chubby. He reduced his weight in subsequent films, but the change in his physique has been a constant phenomenon. Though the fans defend it, saying that so many surgeries has taken a toll on his body, for others, especially the haters, it is a constant fodder for trolling Ajith. Overcoming this, Ajith has achieved the status of a top league star and that is no mean achievement.

10, Ajith is the only actor who denounced his moniker Ultimate Star and also dismantled his fan clubs in the year 2011.

11, Ajith is probably the first actor who popularised the salt & pepper hairstyle in his 2011 blockbuster 'Mankatha'. That was his real hair colour and he continues that in his subsequent films except 'Billa 2'. He also had the guts to admit his age in the form a of a dialogue in the film.

12, Last but not least. Ajith is the only actor to have registered his criticism on the dais of an event conducted to felicitate the Chief Minister of the State, in front of the CM himself. Later he paid a personal visit to the CM's residence, and though he maintained it was a courtesy call there were strong rumours that he had to repent and regret for his behaviour in that event. Abusers and haters use this also as a reason to troll him, but the truth is that no other film actor has had at least this much of guts to express his heart in front of a powerful political leader.