Ajith fans would not agree that, Vijay's father was just launching pad. I think he would have acted atleast 10 movies under his father - out of which not even one movie was watchable.
You may take Surya's example. Being Sivakumar's son, given him the advanatge of the entry into movies. But, had he not got Bala, he would have been star at all.
Rach,
Everybody know Ajith used to smarter than Vijay or most of the tamil heroes. That was past till Dheena. He spoiled all his looks. He is not that handsome now. I know, because of injuries he cannot do execessive exercise to control his weight. But fact is fact. As of today, Ajith and Vijay are equally bad looking.