New Ajith Kumar Mural Replaces HIV Awareness Art at Indira Nagar MRTS Station

A new lavender-and-purple mural featuring actor and racing driver Ajith Kumar was completed on Wednesday at the Indira Nagar MRTS station on Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Chennai. The massive public artwork, which pays tribute to the actor's motorsport journey, has replaced a prominent five-year-old mural that was originally created to destigmatize HIV/AIDS.

The newly completed artwork depicts a peregrine falcon on one end and a Le Mans race car hurtling across the other. At the center of the design is Ajith Kumar clad in racing gear, accompanied by the word "Unstoppable." The mural also includes messages urging motorists to wear seatbelts, follow traffic rules, and drive responsibly.

The project was commissioned as part of Campa Energy’s "Unstoppable Energy" campaign, in collaboration with Mark Metro and Mudra OOH. Karthik SS served as the creative director and illustrator. The painting was executed by members of the 108 Collective, with Chennai-based street artist A-Kill painting the portrait of Ajith Kumar, Mumbai graffiti artist NME working on the Le Mans race car, and architect-muralist Ajith Kumar creating the peregrine falcon.

The transformation has sparked a mix of excitement and nostalgia among Chennai commuters who travel along Rajiv Gandhi Salai. The previous artwork had occupied the wall for five years. Painted by A-Kill, it featured 10 monochrome photographic half-face smiling portraits of ordinary Chennai citizens. That project was a joint initiative by the St+art India Foundation, the Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS), Tidel Park, and Southern Railway to stop discrimination against people living with HIV.

The removal of the iconic HIV/AIDS awareness mural has sparked a local debate about the nature and impermanence of public art.

Responding to the discussions, Karthik SS highlighted the logistical and financial realities of maintaining such large installations. He noted that preparing the 63,000-square-foot wall alone cost over Rs 10 lakh, and the project currently employs 26 people, including 18 trained artists. According to Karthik, working with brands allows artists to create engaging public art while managing the significant costs of paint, equipment, manpower, and permissions.