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Newly
wed little Pakru, to take visa to Hollywood!!
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Certain
things in cinema never stop fascinating
us. You find movies that were rejected by
the top heroes becoming smash hits and you
find plain guys becoming stars overnight.
The proverbial rags to riches story, of
what a determined mind can achieve is always
played out in real in the tinsel world.
The most striking example in the past year
has been Ajay Kumar a.k.a Pakru. If you
saw the wonderful Malayalam fantasy film,
Athbutha dweep, you would definitely agree.
The film deals with the story of a dwarf
who falls in love with a beautiful princess.
More importantly, he has the courage to
declare his love for her. This boldness
has been the main stay of Ajay’s life
throughout. |
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His
mother was dejected when she found that her only
son was a dwarf. Yet, she encouraged him to hone
and present his skills in singing and acting ever
since he was in primary school. He earned enough
to support his family consisting of an ailing
father, mother and two elder sisters. The fire
in him was stoked when he was publicly ridiculed
by the principal for seeking admission in a private
school. He finished school and joined college
to complete his degree in economics. |
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He
entered films and did small roles until
Vinayan’s Dweep occurred. Vinayan
said,” I was struck by his energy
and confidence. He said that his ambition
was to marry a girl of normal height. He
fitted the character perfectly and I gave
him the role”. The film received excellent
reviews and Ajay was soon sought by Malayalam
industry’s rich cousin, Kollywood.
He acted alongside young Jeeva in Dishyum.
His character was etched so well that the
audience simply lapped him up. He did not
play the usual caricature or sympathy-seeking
minion. He is the force that galvanizes
the hero. Such an approach is new to Tamil
cinema and is a healthy trend. |
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In this age of seeking sensitivity to the needs
of the disabled, such heartwarming portrayals
are definitely welcome. He is currently shooting
for the popular television series, Five Star Thattukada. |
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Pakru
did not surprising us on screen alone. He
might have lost the princess in Dweep, but
in real life he married young Gayatri, who
works as a health inspector. She stands
almost twice as tall (5’2”)
as him (2’4”). Ajay interviewed
her for more than three hours before deciding
to marry her. The newly weds have set up
their cozy nest. Gayatri says she was under
no pressure to marry him and felt safe and
secure in his presence. The couple hopes
to have normal children.
Doing outstanding feats is a routine thing
for Pakru. According to his doting mother,
he once climbed all the 1008 steep steps
of the Murugan temple in Palani. |
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does not like to be bogged down by his small
stature. For the welfare of men and women
like him, he has started the Kerala Small
Men Association. The height limit is 135
cm. The 300-strong association has pressed
for job quotas and government assistance.
Never to rest on his oars, Pakru has set
his sights high-on Hollywood. He says,
“one director has evinced interest
in the making of an English version of Dweep.
I am polishing my English skills and I hope
the venture would take off soon”.
He is surely the man of the moment. We’ll
root for you man! Good luck!!
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