Did anyone, even in his wildest dreams imagine Ajay Devgan would be an acclaimed actor before the release of Phool Aur Kaante? The media may have had two opinions, but the industry has always pinned a great deal of hope on the actor. The actor who still keeps a studied low profile, though he is very warm in his interactions with people, has lived upto the industry’s expectations. He started off as a raw youth, with daredevil action-backed scenes in his initial days. Soon, he also matured as an actor and brought variation to bear on his roles, with some intense, emotional performances. His latest film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam proved how good he could be even in films that weren’t quite action-backed. Deewane, directed by Harry Baweja, is due for release this week, and the film will put his talent to the test again. In an exclusive chat with SCREEN, Ajay Devgan talks about his career and business plans. Excerpts...

From Phool Aur Kaante to Deewane, are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?
Honestly, yes. I’ve had no reasons to complain about the way my career has developed over the years. It’s gone exactly as I’d wanted it to. In fact, many had wondered whether I’d make it as an actor, but I had the required confidence and determination before I landed up in this industry. I have been doing roles of all hues and I am very happy that people are now accepting me in a variety of guises.

You had signed more than 20 films soon after the premiere of your debut effort. Was it a sign of desperation? Some sense of insecurity?
It was neither. It’s the way this industry reacts to success. My first film was a superduper hit on the very first day. And hence the filmmakers didn’t want to miss out on making a film with me. So many offers came my way, some even before the release. I’d been going through a lot of personal problems, then, and wanted to get busy. So I signed all the films that came my way. One thing has always been certain, the film industry worships success. It isn’t my fault that I got a lot of films. The same thing’s happening these days with some of the newcomers. There’s nothing new in that.

Which films you rate as the best in your career?
This seems to be a very difficult question to answer. In fact, I would say that because I have signed only those films which are best and project my image in a more appropriate manner. But I would say that Phool Aur Kaante is very special to me. It is because that film made me what I am today. As a matter of fact, I also enjoyed working for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. In these two films one can really see the two different shades of an actor.

How did you find Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

To tell you frankly, he was excellent. I think he is a bit different from other directors. He gives a special touch to his films and his treatment is just unique. I really enjoyed doing that film.

It seems you’re going through a rough patch, as you’ve failed to deliver a hit after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam?
I don’t think so. Don’t forget that it’s not the actor, or for that matter, the actress who determines the fate of a film. In a film so many things work in tandem, and it’s always the joint effort of the entire team. So if any department falters it reflects on the fate of the film. In my personal opinion, the artistes just help the film get a good initial and the rest depends on the content of the film. It’s okay that I have not had a hit after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. All my films and performances have been appreciated. I have done my part well.

Does the lack of a big hit bother you on the eve of your latest release, Deewane?
I am not at all bothered by it. I am confident the film will do well. It’s because I have faith in the abilities of Harry Baweja, with whom I have worked earlier and given hits too. The film is good and there’s no reason I should be bothered. Urmila has come up with a fantastic performance, too, and the songs are good. So the film should do well.

What is the film all about?
It’s about falling in love. Different people have different notions about love. Many go by their intuition and a few even fall in love as it happens in our novels. So you can find different shades of love in the film. It’s basically about love, emotions, jealousy and ecstacy. Almost 80 percent of the film was shot in foreign locations of New Zealand and Australia. It’s an intense love story with some very good songs.

It was rumoured that you got hurt during the shooting of the film?
Yes, that’s true. But it was not during Deewane. I just broke an elbow and had minor bruises over the collar bone while we were shooting for an earlier film. It’s all ok now and I am now back in action as before.

Why do you do the dangerous action scenes yourself?
See, I’m the son of an action director and I am quite at ease in doing it. When my father can take care of many established actors, he can very well take care of me. Moreover, I am very fond of action and I only do things which I can do pretty well. I never do action that doesn’t suit me. I always feel I should give the audience something new in action, even if I have to suffer the odd cuts and scratches now and then.

Action has been your forte. So what type of films are being offered to you by filmmakers these days?
It’s true that I am more popular as an action hero, perhaps because I have been doing more action-oriented films. But I’ve had a complete image overhaul in recent times. For example, in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and my latest release, Deewane, I come across as totally different from the Ajay Devgan you’re used to seeing. And filmmakers have also confidently made use of my other abilities. I am very comfortable doing emotional roles and do enjoy them too. As I said earlier, I am trying to bring out all the shades of the actor in me and hope it does good for me.

But dont you think you got typecasted doing same kind of films?
When I introduced some innovations in my films, almost filmmakers though of casting me in action roles. The films which did come my way in my initial days were all action oriented ones. But then I thought that I should do something more. So I did sign a couple of films in between which didn’t had much actions. Imtihaan was one of those films.

Director Harry Baweja said that he extracted a very different performance out of you in Deewane? Can you elaborate?
It will be very difficult to say these in words. I think one has to see the film to believe him. One thing about Harry Baweja that I like is his passion to explore new ideas. He always comes up with something new and constantly work on the character you play in the film. That is what makes his films altogether a different experience. Even I felt the same what he saidf after watching the film.

Lately one has noticed that Ajay Devgan the action star has mellowed down to playing intense emotional roles. Any particular reasons?
Is it? Honestly its not intentional. I believe that an actor has to adjust to the changing times. I think the audience has seen enough of me doing actions. So I am doing musical love stories for a change. I am concentrating more on my career as far as the choice of films are concerned. It is because this industry count the successful films of any artiste.

You’ve been quoted saying you are very lazy when it comes to dancing. Why?
(Laughs) Yes. I am not as comfortable with the dances as I am with the stunts. But I try to balance it with my other abilities. Don’t forget that no actor is complete in all respects. He or she may have a blind spot somewhere, in one department of acting or the other.

But don’t you think it’s a serious handicap when you’re compared with the other heroes?
I don’t think so. To tell you frankly, I have never felt that my dancing ability was a serious handicap. It’s because I give a lot of stress on emotions in the dance numbers, which helps me overcome all my problems.

You have been an actor with an unconventional look. Does it work as an advantage to you?
I think it definitely it does. I don’t think the audience is unduly hung-up about the looks of an actor. They look more deeply at your performances and acting abilities. If a good-looking guy cannot act, he’s always been rejected. My looks have definitely been accepted by the audience and my fans are happy with my performances. That keeps me going.

Your home productions films have not fared well and it’s said your latest, Raju Chacha has overshot the budget by a mile.
Our home productions have always been sincere efforts at giving the audience something new. Sometimes the film does well and sometimes it doesn’t. But the fate of the films has not bogged down our company. We have many ambitious projects for the future. As for Raju Chacha, it’s wrong to say that the film has overshot its budget. We had some technical difficulties during the shoots and we have sorted those out. The film is progressing well, now.

What made you diversify into the distribution of films?
It was purely a business decision. I wanted to diversify into different fields and explore the possibilities in film business. That’s the reason we opened a distribution office for Mumbai circuit, and we are doing extremely well. We have plans to venture into other software projects too and I am sure the company will do something good for the people always.

What about the IPO you had planned for your company earlier?
We are still working on it and I am very sure it will be offered in the first quarter of next year. The modalities are being worked out, and it will be launched once the time is appropriate.

What is the equity base?
That’s the thing we have not yet made up our minds about as yet. I hope things will be finalised very shortly.

Last but not the least, one personal question. How’s your marriage with Kajol been?
(Laughs heartily) Do you think I should answer that one? I think the question’s too personal to be replied. It’s all happened just the way we’d planned it.

Padmaraj Nair

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