Ajith and Vijay Share Rare Public Moment at Silverstone Race

Two of Tamil cinema's biggest stars, Ajith Kumar and Vijay, shared a rare public moment at the Silverstone circuit in Northampton, United Kingdom, on Saturday evening.

The occasion was the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Ajith, who has returned to motorsport in recent years, was competing in the race, while Vijay was at the venue in his capacity as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to flag off the event.

The two greeted waiting fans before embracing. As they emerged from a car amid a large crowd of photographers, chants of "Thala" and "Thalapathy" — the actors' popular monikers — rang out. Vijay, dressed in a muted brownish jacket, jogged playfully towards Ajith, who was in his racing suit, for a hug.

Ahead of the meeting, Ajith said he was pleased to see Vijay encouraging the growth of motorsports in India. He thanked the Chief Minister for taking time out to visit Silverstone, noted that the two had been colleagues in the film industry for 34 years, and said he was happy for Vijay on becoming Chief Minister.

Ajith, who entered the race after finishing eighth in qualifying, thanked fans for their support while urging them to remain disciplined and avoid causing chaos at the venue. Supporters from across India attended the qualifying round to cheer him on, with one commentator describing him as the "Silver Head Tom Cruise". Fans in the grandstands also held up posters of Vijay as they waited for the two stars to appear together.

For more than two decades, Ajith and Vijay have been regarded as the two leading stars and keenest rivals of Tamil cinema, with their fan bases competing for supremacy. Even the prospect of the two sharing a frame had set social media abuzz well before the meeting took place.