Ajith Kumar Honoured with Padma Bhushan, Calls the Moment "Surreal and Overwhelming"

Renowned Tamil actor Ajith Kumar was conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award on Monday, one of India’s highest civilian honours. The celebrated actor, known for his humility and strong work ethic, spoke exclusively with India Today following the event, sharing his heartfelt emotions about receiving the recognition.

Ajith, whose career spans over three decades, described the honour as “surreal and overwhelming.” Reflecting on the moment, he said, “Honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in. I’m still a plain middle-class person at heart, and it feels so surreal to be here and experiencing all these emotions. I’m happy and overwhelmed.”

The actor revealed that his family, including his wife Shalini and their children, were present at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 28 to witness the proud milestone. The award was announced earlier in January, and ever since, Ajith has remained humbled by the recognition.

He further shared, “At first, I was overwhelmed, but I believe moments like these inspire you – or at least reassure you – that you’re on the right path and should continue doing what you’ve been doing all these years. I feel I’m on the right track, so I focus on my work, stick to my work ethic, and move forward.”

Often praised for his grounded personality despite his stardom, the 53-year-old actor credits his simplicity for keeping him balanced. When asked if staying grounded is the secret to his longevity and success, Ajith responded, “I don’t believe in all these suffixes added to your name. I prefer being called Ajith, AK, or whatever. It’s just another job. I’m an actor by profession, and I get paid for my work. Fame and fortune are byproducts of what you do. I love my job, and I love what I’ve been doing for the past 33 years. I try to keep my life as simple as I can. I avoid overthinking, don’t take on too many projects at once, and focus on my other hobbies and passions.”

Most recently seen in the film Good Bad Ugly, Ajith received acclaim for his performance. The movie also marked a reunion with actresses Trisha Krishnan and Simran Bagga, and was well-received by both audiences and critics.

Ajith Kumar’s journey from a humble background to one of Indian cinema’s most respected figures stands as a testament to perseverance, passion, and authenticity.