‘I don’t have favourites’

In the 90s, while shooting for Zakhm, one of the finest films from the Bhatt camp that explored the relationship between a son and mother against the backdop of communal tension; Mahesh Bhatt had asked Ajay Devgn to evoke the pain and conflict at the heart of the protagonist. A thoroughbred commercial cinema actor at that point, Devgn was known as an ‘action hero’. He responded to Bhatt, “I can’t rehearse for the scenes in the movie and will directly give my shots reacting to situations, including the death of my mother and my emotional strife.” He adds, “Thankfully, he and the audience liked my performance!” Zakhm was one of the films that got Ajay Devgn noticed as a ‘serious’ actor and fetched him his first National Award. The film and his role continues to be one of Devgn’s favourite till date. In his more than two-decade long career, he has amply displayed his comic timing, given commercial blockbusters as well as played intense, brooding characters. So what should we expect from his latest film, Satyagraha “Satyagraha targets the youth of the country and will inspire them to channelise their anger in the right direction. My character is of a business tycoon who’s into gizmos, is greedy to make it high up in the corporate ladder and is into the trappings of a successful life. Eventually he realises how corruption has seeped into our society and becomes a part of the satyagraha to protest against the system,” says Ajay speaking at the Aaj Tak Care awards, where interestingly he was seen awarding corporates who have carried out their social responsibility. Known for being vocal about issues he really feels for, the actor further opines, “The problem in our country is that it is bifurcated into the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. The gap between them is rising by the minute. It is essential that the ‘haves’ stretch their hand and pull the ‘have nots’ out of their situation. Inclusive growth is imperative.” So as an actor, he is trying to create awareness “The only way I can do something for the above situation is through my work — mirror the problems and solutions in the system and hope youngsters get the message clearly,” he adds. Talking about his co-stars in the film, Ajay says, “It is always a pleasure to work with Amitji. I am working with him after quite sometime. He is a living inspiration and works really hard even at this age. Kareena and I have worked earlier in Omkara and Golmaal 2. She is a great actress and a thorough professional.” Some of Devgn’s best films have been directed by Prakash Jha including the likes of Gangaajal, Apharan and Rajneeti. But he was not a part of his last two projects, Chakravyuh and Aarakshan. There were rumours of differences between them. Have they been worked out “There were never any differences. After hearing the script of Aarakshan, I realised that I would not suit the role. Hence, I asked him to go ahead and make the film. Then he was working on Satyagraha’s script. When it was narrated to me, I liked it and said I would take it up. But I had other projects and was busy for another year, so in the interim period he made Chakravyuh. The relationship between us has always remained unchanged and I love his knack for storytelling,” shares Devgn. On the personal front, Devgn’s family picture is now complete with son Yug, the recent addition to the family. “I love my family more than anything else and try to give as much time to my kids as possible,” he reveals. He also dotes on his wife, Kajol. So much so, that when asked which actresses does he love working with, he jokes, “I have to say Kajol! I don’t want to get beaten up by her or thrown out of my house. I don’t really have favourites.” Devgn has already started working for Prabhudeva’s next film, an out and out masala film with Sonakshi Sinha and Yami Gautam. He is also looking forward to taking up more projects for his production house. Singham 2 will be produced by him as well. “I am going through scripts and talking with directors. We are looking at few interesting projects. I will be announcing them very soon,” he concludes.