CHENNAI: Disheartened by the lack of unity, factionalism, politicisation and lack of respect for the leadership among his fans, 'Ultimate Star' Ajith disbanded all his fans associations just two days ahead of his 40th birthday on May 1.
It is said that the actor resorted to this move after many of his fans were found using his name and photographs in the runup to the Assembly elections to speak out against the DMK and in support of the AIADMK, despite the actor asking them not to do so.
The actor has more than 60,000 fan clubs across the state, each comprising at least 20 members.
Though he made a formal announcement to this effect through a statement on Friday, office-bearers of all his fan clubs were alerted of this development a fortnight ago.
An office-bearer of an association in Tiruvallur explained, "We were asked not to plan any grand celebrations for the actor's birthday on May 1 as we were informed that he would be disbanding the association before his birthday."
However, Ajith did not hold any meeting with his fans prior to the announcement.
It was only recently that Ajith put in place a system for scrutinising his existing fan clubs, apart from keeping a watchful eye on new members.
In the poignantly worded statement, he noted that an actor and his fans would command respect among the public today only if they were viewed to be people with integrity in real life too.
"This respect, and support from true fans for this decision, will be my birthday gift for this year," he stated.