Tamil actor Ajith Kumar released a statement on Wednesday addressed to the media, public and his "genuine" fans to not call him with the prefix 'Thala' anymore. The superstar's manager Suresh Chandra released the statement which is as follows:

"To 

The Respected members of the Media, public, and genuine fans. I henceforth wish to be referred to as Ajith, Ajith Kumar or Just AK n not as 'Thala' or any other prefix b4 my name. I sincerely wish you all a beautiful life filled with Good health, Happiness, success, peace of mind and contentment forever. 

Love
Ajith"

Below is Ajith Kumar's statement: 

The prefix 'Thala' was given to Ajith Kumar in the 2001 blockbuster action Dheena after which the tag went on to be attached to the superstar's films. Fans have been calling the Viswasam actor as 'Thala' for nearly two decades and now the statement will come as a big surprise to them. Ajith had earlier also removed the prefix of 'Ultimate Star' from the title card of his films. It is to be noted that the actor had disbanded his fans clubs and associations nearly a decade back. The latest statement from actor Ajith Kumar comes at a time when his upcoming film Valimai is gearing up for a grand worldwide theatrical release in January 2022.

'Thala' has been an emotion for Ajith Kumar's countless fans worldwide and this statement from the actor will no doubt be a disappointment to some. As of now, all sights are set on Ajith's Valimai coming out as a massive Pongal treat, with tremendous hype surrounding the film ever since it was first announced in 2019. Valimai is the second consecutive collaboration for Ajith with director H. Vinoth, producer Boney Kapoor's Bayview Projects LLP banner and composer Yuvan Shankar Raja after the blockbuster Nerkonda Paarvai.