Ajith Kumar and Shalini Kumar share a decades-long enduring bond. She is standing as his supportive pillar amid his mother's demise.
Ajith Kumar, one of India's most prominent Kollywood actors and professional racing drivers, is currently in the news for a personal tragedy. He is going through a tough phase as he lost one of the most precious people in his life, his mother, Mohini Mani. She reportedly passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 30, 2026. The Good Bad Ugly actor's mother was 85 years old when she succumbed to age-related ailments. Notably, it is not known for how long or what disease she was battling. Mohini Mani died in Chennai when her son, Ajith was in Dubai at the time for his racing commitments.
Ajith Kumar immediately rushed back to Chennai to bid his mom a final adieu and be with the rest of his family amid the difficult time. Popular figures from across the political and film fraternities, including Kamal Haasan and MK Stalin, have expressed their deep condolences. As the Tamil superstar mourned the loss of his mother, the bereaved family, particularly his wife, Shalini Kumar and their kids, have come under the spotlight. They are each other's biggest support at times like these. Here's everything we know about his better half.
Like Ajith Kumar, his spouse, Shalini Kumar (maiden surname Babu), is also well-versed in the entertainment industry. She is a former actress who predominantly worked in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. Born on November 20, 1980, she is 45 years old, which makes her a decade younger than Ajith, 55. Despite their subsequent age gap, the couple reportedly share an enduring bond and is each other's biggest support system. According to Shalini's BookMyShow profile, she was known as 'Baby Shalini' during her time as a child prodigy.
Shalini's talent was recognised early on, and she made a name for herself well before she met Ajith. She began her acting career at the age of three in the Malayalam movie, Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983). With her talent, she became one of the most successful child actors in South India, appearing in over 80 films. Shalini did not lose her spark or get lost in the crowd of actors as she grew up. She successfully transitioned to leading roles in the late 1990s.
Shalini's notable box-office hits include Aniyathi Pravu (1997), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), and Mani Ratnam's critically acclaimed Alaipayuthey (2000). She also appeared in films such as Bhagwan Parshuram (1970), Kaliyoonjal (1996), Niram (1999), Amarkalam (1999), and Kannukkul Nilavu (2000). Shalini quietly stepped away from acting after her marriage to Ajith Kumar. She was last seen in the 2001 movie, Piriyadha Varam Vendum, starring opposite actor Prashanth, which received positive reviews, as per BookMyShow.
Shalini Kumar and Ajith Kumar had an absolutely Bollywood-coded love story. According to The Times of India, the duo met on a movie set. While shooting an intense scene for Amarkalam (1999), Ajith accidentally cut Shalini's wrist with a prop knife. His immediate panic and care for her wound sparked the beginning of their bond. Interestingly, Shalini initially declined the movie offer because she was busy with her Class 12 board exams. But director, Saran was ready to wait for her and somehow worked everything out, aligning her and Ajith's schedules. Because of this unique first-meet story, fans believe the couple was destined to meet.
Notably, Shalini and Ajith did not begin dating right after their initial encounter; however, he later admitted in interviews that it was love at first sight for him. While working on Amarkalam, the two of them grew close and gradually developed romantic feelings for each other. However, they were very cautious about letting their love show on set, even going so far as to avoid speaking to each other unless necessary. Actor and film producer, Kunchako Boban revealed in an interview that Ajith and Shalini's love story was very old-school, with them secretly calling each other during shooting breaks.
Ajith and Shalini tied the knot after a year of dating. Their marriage took place on April 24, 2000, in Chennai. The union made headlines at the time, as both actors were well-established and held an interfaith wedding that blended Hindu and Protestant Christian traditions. Following their marriage, Shalini chose to retire from her highly successful acting career to focus on their family life. The couple became parents for the first time eight years after their wedding. They have two children together, a daughter, Anoushka Kumar (born in 2008), and a son, Aadvik Kumar (born in 2015).
Even after over two decades of relationship, Ajith and Shalini continue to be each other's pillars of support. They recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in April 2026 with a customised photo frame consisting of their couple pics from their youth. The actor credited her for his career's upward graph in multiple interviews. He was quoted by TOI as saying:
"I don't think I am an easy person to live with. I have put her [Shalini] through a lot of hard times, but she has been very supportive."
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