Three decades ago today, a fresh face named Ajay Devgn came in the Hindi film industry with a smashing entry that saw him doing a split on two running motorcycles, a stunt that became synonymous to him. Today that actor is one of the biggest superstars out there and is popularly referred to as the ‘Singham’ of Bollywood. This 30-year long journey of Ajay in films has been inspiring me throughout my life, and seeing him evolve over these years has been a treat to watch.
In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Ajay admitted that sustaining for 30 years in this industry has been a herculean task and needed constant evolving on his part. But he sees it all as one terrific journey in which he has “made countless mistakes and struck innumerable home runs”.
He added:
“It needs a certain level of maturity — not just in age, but also in your craft. It needs constant experimenting, countless hours of speaking to oneself more than to others. It needs learning closely from every colleague and filmmaker you work with. It’s a never-ending learning process. If you pick up even one survival tip every day from whoever it may be, you’ll romp home successfully. And, by that I don’t mean being No.1 or No.2, I mean you will have found purpose in your craft.”
Ajay’s father Veeru Devgan was a big name in Hindi films as he had been a renowned action director, and it was he who actually pushed Ajay into acting.
Ajay revealed:
“It was my father’s dream to launch me as an actor. I was just required to focus on realising his dream. Whether I would be successful or not is a thought I didn’t toy with at that stage. I just did what I was told.”
Today Ajay is a bonafide superstar of the Hindi film industry with any project that he touches, turning into gold. He not only made it as an actor but also as a producer and director, and currently has several projects in the pipeline including MayDay, Thank God, Maidaan, RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, the Hindi remake of Kaithi, Golmaal FIVE, Drishyam 2 and reportedly Singham 3. He is also making his digital debut with the series Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness. Even after 30 years, he is working with the same enthusiasm, if not more and I can’t wait for him to entertain me and his fans for at least 30 years more.