Midget Ajay Kumar features in silent Kannada film

Bangalore, July 22 (IANS) Ajay Kumar, who figured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the shortest actor, will be seen in a silent Kannada film titled 'Mirror' about the relationship between a mother and her midget son.

Ajay, who is just 76 inches tall, says the film is a reflection of life.

'The audience will be moved to tears in some sequences of the film, but they will also laugh and dance in some other sequences. We have made the film to entertain the audience,' 31-year-old Ajay told reporters here.

'I am very happy that Manjunatha Babu, the director of the film, has shown his mettle right in his first film,' he said.

Ajay, better known as Pakru, has been acting in films and television serials for 14 years and has carved a niche for himself. He has bagged two best actor state awards from Kerala and Tamil Nadu for his performance in Malayalam film 'Albhutha Dweepam' and Tamil film 'Dishshum', respectively.

The short actor has already worked in over 30 films in Malayalam and three Tamil films.

Ajay, who has now become a source of inspiration for midgets in Kerala, says that they don't need sympathy.

'I don't need any sympathy. My community of midgets does not seek sympathy from people. What we need is social acceptance. We don't want to be humiliated because we are born with some physically challenged features,' said Ajay.

Ajay has a Masters degree in economics from the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and is married to Gayathri who stands five feet tall.

He is an active member of an association of midgets that has 360 members.

'I always encourage my friends to be self reliant and to be bold enough to take on any work. And more than anything else don't lose your sense of humour. And my message to all midgets is to be brave enough to face anything in this competitive world.'

Journalist-turned-director Manjunatha Babu has directed 'Mirror', which also has Ramesh Bhat, Abhinaya and Sanketh Kashi playing important roles.

Babu is quite confident about Ajay's performance and said: 'Pakru has delivered an all-round performance in the film. I have just finished its dubbing and I am sure that it would be much spoken about.'

Earlier, Kamal Haasan's silent film 'Pushpak' (1988), which also starred Amala, was also appreciated by audiences and critics alike.

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