Ajay says no to US shows

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Friday, May 26, 2006

Ajay Devgan is not known to do shows, and he has never been comfortable dancing or performing on stage.

So, when there were reports that Devgan, along with wife Kajol and daughter Nysa, would be attending shows in USA in September this year, we decided to check with him.

The shows are being organised by Vijay Taneja and also have performances by Aamir Khan.

Kajol and Aamir will be performing together in a stage show for the first time. Aamir, it is said, initially refused the show, but fell prey to the mega bucks offered, and subsequently agreed.

No show: Ajay

Devgan was shooting in London for Abbas-Mustan's untitled film when we caught up with him. Is it true that he is going to be a part of Taneja's US shows, with Aamir and Kajol?

"No, I'm not going," said Devgan. Wasn't he asked to be the chief guest at every show? "Yes," admitted the actor, "as you are aware, I don't perform at shows, so they wanted me to be the chief guest. But I'm not going for the shows."

When asked why he turned them down, Devgan clammed up. But a source close to him said, "Ajay was offered a huge amount of money to be the chief guest. They had been talking to him about going for the shows For the last couple of months.

As he will never perform, they wanted him to be the chief guest. Initially, when Kajol and he discussed it, they thought 'why not?' as the money was very good, and all he had to do was sit and watch people perform."

Man of principles

What made him change his mind? "Ajay has always maintained that he won't be a part of stage shows, and after thinking about it, a couple of days ago, he decided not to go ahead with it. He didn't feel comfortable, so he refused. He will never do something for the lure of money, unless he is convinced about it.

Ajay hadn't accepted the money, so there was no problem about him backing out. It was difficult saying no to the mega bucks, but Ajay is a man of principles and has always done what he believed in."