Dheena, Billa and Mankatha: 5 References Ajith Kumar’s 'Good Bad Ugly' Takes from His Past Hit Films

With the much-awaited film Good Bad Ugly, Ajith Kumar doesn’t just play a role—he revives an entire era of his cinematic legacy. Packed with throwbacks, iconic callbacks, and powerful dialogues, the film looks set to be a fan-fest and a full-throttle action entertainer. The trailer, released on 4 April, is filled with nods to his iconic roles and past films. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the film promises an adrenaline-fuelled narrative centred around a feared gangster—long retired—who is forced back into the bloody underworld after his son is abducted. Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing references the trailer offers from Ajith’s cinematic career.

Pic: Twitter

Ajith's character, AK, brings unmistakable Mankatha energy to the film. Trisha Krishnan, his long-time co-star, makes a reference in the trailer to the infamous scene from Mankatha where her father is pushed out of a moving vehicle by Ajith's character—an unforgettable moment for fans. Adding to the throwback, Arjun Das, who plays the antagonist, utters the iconic line: “It’s my f**king game”, cementing the connection to the 2011 cult hit.

Pic: Instagram

At the same time, a surprise appearance by actress Simran rekindles memories of Vaali and Aval Varuvaala, marking her reunion with Ajith after over two decades. Fans are already excited about their on-screen chemistry making a return. Notably, her look in the trailer—with a yellow jacket—gives off major Kill Bill vibes, while a subtle nod to Vaali’s famous chewing gum scene adds a fun layer of nostalgia.

Pic: Twitter

Actor Arjun Das once again steps in as the fan-mouthpiece, declaring: “You think you’re a big villain? I can see your varalaaru (history).” It’s a clever nod to Ajith’s films Villain and Varalaaru, reinforcing the gangster’s legendary past while keeping it cheeky and character-appropriate. Arjun’s different avatar as the villain also grabbed eyeballs in the recently dropped trailer.

Pic: Twitter

Flashback scenes bring glimpses of Ajith’s early gangster avatar from Dheena—the film that earned him the moniker “Thala” among his fans. The throwbacks are not just visual but also include props and weapons associated with those roles, adding depth to the character's backstory. The iconic Dheena dialogue finds its rightful place too.

Pic: Instagram

Veteran actor Prabhu joins the cast, and his very presence sparks memories of Billa and Aasal, where he previously shared screen space with Ajith. Fast-paced car chases reminiscent of Billa elevate the action quotient, reminding fans of the slick gangster aesthetics that defined the Vishnuvardhan directorial.

Pic: Instagram

In tune with current trends, the trailer features a revamped retro number to amp up the mood. Ilaiyaraaja’s classic Oththa Roova from Nattupura Paattu gets a modern twist. Just as the beats settle in, Malaysia-based Tamil rapper Darkey makes an electric appearance with his hit Puli Puli, delivering a high-energy musical climax to the trailer.

Pic:Twitter