10 Best Ajith Movies Everyone Should Watch

Why Kollyfood Fans Love Thala Ajith

The moment Tamil cinema is thought of, Ajith Kumar comes into one’s mind? He’s “Thala” to his fans, and he is the face you’ve seen in countless movies and scenes that spill over with passion or crackle with action. Choosing just ten movies from Ajith’s mega oeuvre was obviously a task, as every fan has their own “ultimate” list.

So, whether you’re entirely fresh to the world of his movies or spent all your formative years desperately cheering him on, we’ve drawn up a ten-strong hall of fame for Ajith’s most loved films.

10 Best Ajith Movies Everyone Should Watch

1) Mankatha

If there’s one film they will be raving about for the rest of their lives, it is “Mankatha.” This is not your ordinary story about heroes. Ajith’s Vinayak Mahadev is in fact a literal walking, talking grey area corrupt cop with an ‘I don't give two hoots’ attitude and what one can only assume has been celluloid's way of depicting addiction to gambling. Imagine a Tamil movie where the hero is not the character who teaches morals, but is in fact the one that make you question them! This film was a game-changer for fans and also for Ajith’s career, proving that he wasn’t afraid to break out of the ‘mass hero’ mould.

But “Mankatha” is not really a one-man show. The star-studded cast (Arjun as the no-nonsense cop, Premgi Amaren for comic relief and co-stars like Vaibhav, Mahat and Trisha) brought their own spin to the thriller. But it is Ajith’s unpredictable, untamed act that has you hooked. He’s arrogant, savage and there’s a strut in his walk that you cannot resist. The film never lets up, like you’ve experienced a roller coaster and there isn’t time to catch breath until it ends.

And speaking of that music and those stylized visuals for a sitch! Yuvan Shankar Raja’s soundtrack became a sensation. There isn’t a festival or wedding where “Machi open the bottle” is played when people don’t go berserk. I believe the director Venkat Prabhu made it even hotter. “Mankatha,” is another masterclass in style of storytelling, and Ajith’s anti-hero act still remains everyone's reference point when we discuss career defining roles. It’s not just a movie, it’s an experience, and one that has aged like fine wine.

2) Vaali

“Vaali” is simply unforgettable. This movie is where Ajith finally won all of us over as an actor – in it, he’s not just charismatic but has depth and real intensity too. Here he plays twins: the kind, affectionate Deva, and the evil lunatic Shiva, who cannot speak or hear but is completely obsessed. Talk about a challenge! But Ajith aces both ends spectacularly. The swarthy Shiva, his pained expressions and magnetic eyes alone are enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. His simmering, brooding obsession with Simran’s character saps as much tension as any action sequence.

It was a interesting, emotional thriller that had its moments of suspense sneak up on you. The scenes involving Ajith and Simran, particularly when Shiva tries to manipulate her are so well-done that you feel truly uncomfortable. The whole ‘love triangle’ because Ajith plays a double role, tugs at your heartstrings and asks questions about the nature of goodness and badness. “Vaali” is however a film that you have to watch to actually feel the impact.

Another aspect that makes “Vaali” unique is the emotional core. The film is not really about obsession or evil, but loneliness and longing, and the agony of not being understood. Ajith gives both roles nuance. The supporting cast, particularly Simran, enliven the drama but it is Ajith’s show. This is a film that will make you watch him act if you hadn’t before. It’s an intense, over-the-top love story that traffics in some of the most deeply felt emotion you’ll encounter on film this year, and evidence that even a “mass” hero here can shine as a soulful storyteller attuned to feeling.

3) Varalaru

Occasionally, a film comes that only allows the hero to do everything. “Varalaru” is that film for Ajith. Here, he assumes not one, not two, but three different identities. The absolute highlight? Ajith as the vulnerable classical dancer is something else to watch. He takes a step back from the macho image and embarks upon emotionally nuanced territory. In this and many more scenes of stunning execution, he owns the screen as both the stern, emotionally-scarred father and his wild twin sons to show us all just how versatile he can be.

The drama, family secrets and bombshell plot twists fill the story. The scenes where Ajith goes from aggressive, brash son to coy and effeminate dancer – the things you’ll hear Tamil cinema fans talking about before we all pass out from fatigue. You can feel the work that went into getting the mannerisms right. There are some deeply affecting moments in the movie when Ajith’s dancer self yearns to reconnect with his scattered family, and you can keenly feel the aches of his journeys.

But “Varalaru” isn’t all seriousness! commercial fun. There is no dearth of commercial industrial action with Ajith getting cheeky punch lines and a dollop of humour thrown in for good measure. It’s got K.S. Ravikumar written all over it, for the film veers in an out of emotional formula and mass enjoyment consistently that you can’t help but acknowledge the superb job he has brought to life on screen. If you want to know Ajith’s spectrum of acting: from action to dance to tear-jerker drama, then “Varalaru” is the film for you. The National Award-winner makes a case here for what Tamil heroes can generally do when they let go of their comfort zone.

4) Billa

“Billa” is when Ajith donned the role of Rajinikanth and made it entirely his. This is more than a remake, this is an upgrade. With stylized visuals, slick editing and commendable direction by Vishnuvardhan, Ajith's Billa is a suave gangster with style to spare. That entrance with Ajith in a suit, striding arrogantly through the hotel lobby? Iconic! The plot, in which a regular guy finds himself masquerading as a feared don, is peppered with twists and nonstop action.

Ajith had 2 roles to play even here: Billa, the dreaded don and Velu, a simple man. The transformation sequences, particularly when Velu pretends to be the evil Billa halfway through are funny in a different way and you don’t know what is going to happen next. And the film offers a killer supporting cast: Nayanthara, playing a stylish assassin, Prabhu as the cop and Rahman in his villainous turn. Each scene is tight, well-staged and drips with tension or swag.

And let’s not forget: ‘Billa’ set the style for Tamil cinema initiated. The costumes (Ajith’s shades collection has its own fan following!) but the music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and in general the cinematography raised the bar a few levels though. “Billa” established that Ajith could effortlessly carry gangster parts and would be a touchstone for how to do remakes well.

5) Yennai Arindhaal

When Gautham Menon teamed up with Ajith, there was a lot more fireworks to be expected... “Yennai Arindhaal” did just that. With the heart too! Ajith, playing Sathyadev, a hard-cop-and-soft-inside kind of guy, is nothing if not an anchor in the emotional ass-storm that unfolds in this genre. He knows what it’s like to suffer, to fall in love, to be a father, all of it he just did and let the audience join him on a trip that was really very moving. The quieter scenes with Trisha and Anikha (his on-screen daughter) are packed with honest emotion.

One thing that does distinguish “Yennai Arindhaal” are the relationships. The tender mentor-student relationship, the bittersweet romance and the father-daughter chemistry are what show us Ajith in a more natural light that is dulled by action and mass moments, in his other films. Even the antagonist, Arun Vijay complements the power of Ajith with an icy terrifying act in those end confrontation scenes. Gautham Menon’s touch, Subtle and poetic but yet dramatic, gives Ajith a completely new shade.

This movie was a no-brainer addition to our Top 10 Tamil Films of 2015 you need to watch list. So you will regret if you skip this one.

Technically, the songs by Harris Jayaraj, deep blue visuals and crisp editing ensure that the film appears urban and modern. “Yennai Arindhaal” is a lesson in how you can do this to a mass hero, and his fans even love him more for it. The story is engaging, the characters grounded and Ajith demonstrates that he isn’t just a star, he also acts in a manner that makes you feel.

6) Amarkalam

If you were a teenager or young adult during the late ’90s, “Amarkalam” has your heart in a special place. Built up in aviator glasses and Snapback caps, Ajith as the hot-tempered, heartbroken orphan Vasu is simply raw, real and superbly magnetic. The film united Ajith and Shalini (they fell in love off-screen, too), and their chemistry is just electric here. But more compelling than Vasu’s anger is his vulnerability and transformation, all of which feel real. Noover-acting here, just deadpan sincerity.

Where the movie scores best is in the small moments: Ajith arguing with Shalini in her house, those interactions of a macho man and a soft woman, especially where he lets go alone. You know Ajith is giving his whole to the role. The love songs (music by Bharathwaj) also add to the charm. The other cast led by Raghuvaran with his menacing villainy is rightly dose of drama.

“ Amarkalam” is Ajith in full throttle. Action, romance, comedy and heartache. There’s a reason this movie keeps people coming back: It’s grounded in emotion. Doubting why Ajith was even cast in a love story, this film “Amarkalam” willshow you the way. For many fans, this is the movie where Ajith goes from being a hero to their hero.

7) Dheena

And when people address Ajith as “Thala”, it all goes back to “Dheena”. This is mass cinema in its purest form, and Ajith’s role as the no-nonsense loyal right-hand to a don still gives his fans goosebumps. He’s a rough neck, he fights like a savage but underneath it all is a heart. The film’s tale of loyalty versus love is spun with punchy dialogues, wild stunts and unforgettable slow-motion action scenes.

The chemistry between Ajith and Suresh Gopi is spot on. The film is filled with iconic lines and eye-popping action, but grounded by the emotional beats along the way, like Dheena struggling with betrayal. Ajith ramps up the adrenaline in the fight scenes, but it’s his vulnerability during private moments that makes fans want to take care of him. Laila, his love interest, o ers some much-needed softness to the grimy tale.

Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the film was ground-breaking in the early 2000s, which would open doors to dozens of such “Thala” movies in future. People are still gonna be shouting “Thala pola varuma!” at all the fan events. and it started with this movie. “Dheena” is not just a film but an emotion for all Ajith fans across the globe.

8) Mugavari

If you have an impression that your life is burdened under the heap of failures one after another, then “Mugavari” is YOUR Ajith film. His character, Sripathi, is a precocious music director who keeps running against the wall. Not due to talent drought but because life just flat-out sucks. It is through humor and entertainment that the movie brings to light the everyday struggles most of us go through and how we manage, writer Rima George writes in film notes. Ajith delivers an understated and subtle performance that is all so relatable, especially in scenes showcasing his supportive but also frustrated family.

What is special about “Mugavari” is its realism.” The conflicts are not physical, they’re within Ajith’s loneliness and his silent, patient support of his family are all done so beautifully. The scenes with Jyothika, his on-screen lover, infuse warmth and a glimmer of hope. his moments of craving and anguish are poignant to the core.

This has never been a story about heroism or mass. It’s a story about chasing dreams, and how unfulfilling and satisfying the pursuit can be. The supporting performances, particularly an actress who fills the role of Ajith’s sister-in-law, bring much needed real-world warmth and naturalness. " Mugavari " is a Regular Ajith film, it's for the general Audience. If you’re tired of action and want to see Ajith at his softest, this vote’s mandatory!

9) Kadhal Kottai

Long before the time of social media crushes, there was “Kadhal Kottai”, a love story where two individuals fall in love with each other through letters even though they hadn’t met each other’s face. Ajith's Suriya is charming, clumsy and overly sincere. You see his longing in nearly every frame, particularly when he waits nervously at the train station or hesitates as his heart races before reading a new letter.

The film is rife with so many of those little moments that everyone has experienced: first love jitters, what missing someone you never knew hurts like and how really confusing it can be when love doesn’t go as planned. Many of the side characters are really funny (in an understated way), and they make an otherwise emotional story totally fun. Ajith’s chemistry with Devayani (they’re barely on screen together) is evidence of how wonderfully the story has been shaped.

“Kadhal Kottai” had an entire generation of teenagers believing in love that cut across looks and status differences. Deva’s music, particularly the title track, is unforgetable (let’s face it, we all still have it playing in our playlists). It’s simple, sincere and proof that Ajith can get you to cry just as easily as he gets you to cheer.

10) Kandukondain Kandukondain

Ajith is easy to miss in “Kandukondain Kandukondain” just because this movie has a huge cast. Mammootty, Tabu,Aishwarya Rai and lots more. But Ajith’s Major Bala, an army man who silently loves Meenu (Tabu), is the emotional core of the film. He doesn’t tuck any scene into his pocket, but he does stamp an impression with every shot of him. And he works a subtle register that’s hard to come by.

The film is a rehash of “Sense and Sensibility” with an exclusively Tamil sensibility. This is not a flashy role, but Ajith makes it striking as well as deeply touching. He’s a dude who doesn’t overstep his bounds, doesn’t perform grand gestures, but when he finally tells it like it is, you believe him. Ajith and Tabu’s chemistry is all eyes and silences,which mean every little movement, every word that escapes their mouths means something.

You’ll need to track down a DVD, but “Kandukondain Kandukondain” features a grand script, great looks and even better music (those A.R. Rahman tunes!). Ajith slides effortlessly into that director Rajiv Menon’s upscale, understated world. It’s a new color on him. One where he allows others to shine while still making sure you know who’s doing it. If you want to see Ajith in a refined, classic-looking film, here is one for you.

Conclusion

What Ajith’s career makes us look at is an assorted box of sweets,you get something different each time around and it’s all worth a bite. The 10 films here contain a whole lot of flavour. Action, romance, heartbreak and heartwarming. Yet we've still missed out on some gems. Movies such as “Citizen”, “Villain”, TV remake “Nerkonda Paarvai”, Police drama “Kireedam” and rural potboiler “Viswasam” all have their own set of fans and Ajith in each film experimenting different looks.

It's only an indication of how broad his range is. Whether you are a card-carrying “Thala” fan or someone who is testing the waters of Tamil cinema, these ten films will entertain you, make you sympathize, whistle and just marvel at how easy Ajith connects with the audience.This is what Ajith movies are for. Happy watching!