The Dark Horse of Bollywood : Ajay Devgan

By: Arya Aiyappan

The "dark horse" is galloping leaving miles behind with conquests stretching far and wide. He is one actor who is unequivocally accepted in both shockingly macho and ingeniously cowed roles. Smouldering black eyes exuding intense passion into diverse cloistered roles has set Ajay Devgan as a class apart from others to shoulder the 'Angry Young Man' tradition coupled with grave portrayals.

Son of the leading fighter-director Veeru Devgan, Ajay Devgan aka Vishal Devgan was born on April 2nd 1967 in Bombay. A graduate from silver Beach High School in Juhu and Mithibai College, he dabbled in direction and editing on a low-ranking level before indulging in acting. Phool Aur Kaante (1991), the actor's debut film launched him as a romantic hero delivering emotional roles and performing spine tingling stunts. With focus on stunts and daring feats (riding two motorcycles simultaneously) in films like Jigar (1992), Divyashakti (1993), Vijaypath (1994) and Hulchul (1995), Ajay slipped easily into mushy romances only to discover his latent potentials. Fortunes changed with the release of Dilwale (1994) and Naajayaz (1995), a welcome change from stereotyped roles. A sweeping change towards supple roles through jocular romantic comedies Ishq (1997) and his novel distribution venture Pyaar Tho Hona Hi Tha (1998) saw him slowly treading the path toward success as a full-fledged actor.

After an unsuccessful love episode with Karishma Kapoor, Ajay Devgan courted Kajol culminating in their marriage on February 24, 1999. Their darling daughter Nysa was born in 2003.

The latter half of 1990s saw Ajay adorn the garb of a producer for Hindustan Ki Kasam and subsequently direct the film Raju Chacha. With a keen adventurous sense he imparts different hues to his roles probing into the psychological depth of the singular characters. In an effort to prove his potentialities he has successfully undertaken comical roles like Golmaal. "I try to do different things so that I don't repeat myself."

Mahesh Bhatt's Zakhm unearthed the actor in him procuring him the National Award for Best Actor wherein he portrayed the trauma of a man whose mother is killed by an unruly mob, jammed in Bombay's communal tussle. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) placed him at the pedestal of success with his sombre of role of a husband striving to reunite his wife with her ex-lover. Whether it is the upright cop in Gangajal, gangster in Company, historical figure in The Legend of Bhagat Singh maniac killer in Deewange, hapless husband in Bhoot, a mentally challenged man in Main Aisa Hi Hoon, star-crossed man in Raincoat, the ghost in Kaal or the tragic hero Omi in Omkara, Ajay is truly "the complete director's actor" renown for his versatility.

An excellent character artist with astounding performance and ease, Ajay Devgan firmly believes in the dictum that "People no longer go for conventional looks. Nowadays has immense star value. He won the national award twice for Zakhm (1999) and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2003) and the Filmfare Best Performance Award as well for the latter. Undoubtedly he was adjudged the best villain for his awe-inspiring performance in Deewangee (2003).

Ajay Devgan, a calm and reserved man, an introvert with a quaint melancholic strain but a car enthusiast is the modern day all-rounder in Hindi cinema having traversed a vast distance from an action hero to a performance artist.

Filmography:
1. Gulel (2006) (in production)
... aka Slingshot (India: English title)
2. Saamna (2007) (announced)
3. London Dreams (2007) (pre-production)
4. Cash (2007) (filming)
5. Mr. Fraud (2007) (filming)
6. Sholay (2007) (filming)
7. Benaam (2007) (post-production)
8. The Awakening (2006)
9. Omkara (2006)
10. Golmaal (2006)
11. Shikhar (2005)
12. Apaharan (2005)
13. Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005)
14. Kaal (2005)
15. Tango Charlie (2005)
16. Zameer (2005)
17. Blackmail (2005)
18. Insaan (2005)
19. Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004)
20. Raincoat (2004)
21. Yuva (2004) ... aka The Youth (International: English title)
22. Masti (2004)
23. Khakee (2004)
24. ... aka The Uniform (International: English title: informal literal title)
25. LOC: Kargil (2003) ... aka L.O.C. (India: Hindi title: promotional abbreviation)
26. Zameen (2003)
27. Parwana (2003)
28. Gangaajal (2003)
29. Chori Chori (2003)
30. Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003)
31. Bhoot (2003) ... aka Ghost (International: English title: informal literal title)
... aka Ghost House (Philippines: English title)
32. Deewangee (2002) ... aka Obsession (International: English title)
33. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
34. Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002)
35. Company (2002)
36. Tera Mera Saath Rahen (2001)
37. Lajja (2001) ... aka The Shame (India: English title: literal title)
38. Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (2001)
39. Raju Chacha (2000)
40. Deewane (2000)
41. Thakshak (1999)
42. Gair (1999)
43. Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999)
44. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) ... aka Straight from the Heart (International: English title)
45. Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999)
46. Dil Kya Kare (1999)
47. Kachche Dhaage (1999)
48. Zakhm (1998) ... aka Wound (Australia: literal English title)
49. Sar Utha Ke Jiyo (1998)
50. Major Saab (1998)
51. Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998)
52. Ishq (1997) ... aka Romance (India: English title: literal title)
53. Itihaas (1997)
54. Jung (1996)
55. Diljale (1996)
56. Jaan (1996)
57. Haqeeqat (1995) ... aka Reality (International: English title)
58. Gundaraj (1995)
59. Naajayaz (1995)
60. Hulchul (1995)
61. Suhaag (1994)
62. Vijaypath (1994)
63. Kanoon (1994) ... aka The Law (International: English title)
64. Dilwale (1994)
65. Dhanwaan (1993)
66. Dil Hai Betaab (1993)
67. Shaktiman (1993)
68. Platform (1993)
69. Divya Shakti (1993)
70. Bedardi (1993)
71. Ek Hi Raasta (1993)
72. Sangram (1993)
73. Jigar (1992) ... aka Heart (International: English title)
74. Phool Aur Kaante (1991)

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
1. Golmaal (2006) (critical supervisor) (technical advisor)
2. Zameen (2003) (additional camera operator) (camera operator: action sequences / stunt unit) (critical supervisor)
3. Raju Chacha (2000) (critical supervisor)

Producer - filmography
1. The Awakening (2006) (producer)
2. Raju Chacha (2000) (producer)

Editor - filmography
1. The Awakening (2006)