Ajith says Subhash Chandra Bose encouraged him pursue racing

Apart from entertaining fans with his widely celebrated blockbuster hits in

Tamil cinema

, Thala Ajith Kumar is not just a talented actor but also a passionate

motorsports

enthusiast. His love for

racing

dates back to his teenage years, and in a recent interview, Ajith revealed the person who inspired him to take his racing seriously.The moment that changed everythingDuring a conversation with Mashable India, Ajith recalled an endurance race he participated in back in September 1990. Despite finishing fifth, the event became a turning point in his racing journey when Subhash Chandra Bose, a respected figure in the motorsports community, approached him at the pits. Bose encouraged Ajith to pursue motorsports, recognising the potential and passion within him."I remember Mr Subhash Chandra Bose walking to my pits, and he said you should pursue motorsports. It's there in you," he said.

Balancing stardom and speedAjith has been a prominent figure in the film industry for over three decades, delivering some of the biggest hits in Tamil cinema. Despite his busy schedule, he has always found time to nurture his passion for racing. When asked about managing both demanding careers, Ajith credited the film industry for giving him the financial stability to support his racing pursuits. He shared that his father had given him a simple yet profound piece of advice: "The day you earn your bread and butter, you can do whatever you want to", this is when he decided to start racing in 2002.Ajith's dedication to motorsports is well-known among his fans and peers. He has competed in several national and international racing events, earning respect not just as an actor but also as a serious racer.In early 2025, Ajith's racing team secured a podium finish by clinching third place in the highly competitive

24H Dubai race

held at the Dubai Autodrome.On the work front, he was last seen in '

Good Bad Ugly

', which was highly appreciated among the fans.