I have interviewed many Bollywood celebrities in my time and the worst is meeting someone whose work you admire, only to discover that they are egotistical and unpleasant in real life. So it was with much trepidation that I approached Indian film star Ajay Devgan for an interview, as it has been claimed, that he has never been keen to speak to the press, but I found this to be far from the truth. Devgan is one of the many stars filming in Cape Town for the film Cash.
To my surprise, the star, when engaged in conversation, is extremely affable; happy to speak about his career and interests. In fact, he asked for a few minutes grace before we started and shortly thereafter, came to me and said he was ready to chat. Standing outside Kelvin Grove, substituting for a casino for a scene in the film, Devgan told me about his impressions of Cape Town. “It’s a wonderful place”, he said smiling, “in fact my production company are finalising a location for one of our forthcoming films and I’ve suggested that before they make a decision, they should consider the Cape. I would love to work here again. It’s a fantastic city”, Devgan said emphatically.
The talented actor can be classified a Bollywood veteran with more than 70 films to his credit. Despite being only a year away from his 40th birthday, he has been a leading man in the Indian film industry for approximately 15 years.
Unlike many of his contemporaries whose families are part of the Bollywood scene and therefore had easy entries into the industry, Devgan never followed that route. His father, Veeru, is a highly respected and legendary Bollywood stunt co-ordinator, but wasn’t responsible for his son’s choice to become an actor. He continues, “I never consciously set out to become an actor. My Dad was in the industry and it seemed inevitable that I would follow in his footsteps. I started out as an assistant director. A friend, who was directing a film, persuaded me to act as the lead in his production. The film, Phool Aur Kaante, became a massive hit and my career was decided you could say, on the strength of that film.”
Devgan is one of the few actors who have avoided becoming typecast as a certain type of character. When I make this comment, he reacts excitedly. “You’re right”, he says, “I’m lucky that the audience has accepted me in various roles. I’ve done romantic films, action roles and even comedy. It’s wonderful, because it has given me a chance to progress as an actor and re-invent myself again and again.”
He is not only an excellent actor, but also an astute businessman who understands the dynamics of filmmaking and has applied it in his own production and distribution company. Devgan says modestly, “Film production for me is about being able to find a balance between the business side and the passion one has as an artiste. Yes, many Indian film companies are trying to emulate the Hollywood studio system in an effort to control budgets, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of creativity. While I will also try my utmost to work within budgets, I would have no hesitation in foregoing extra fees if I feel a scene is absolutely necessary. That’s where the passion comes in. It can’t only be about business.”
Some of his favourite Hollywood directors are Martin Scorcese and James Cameron. Devgan says filled with admiration, “These are filmmakers who have a passion for what they do. It is quite obvious if you watch their films that they are uncompromising when it comes to creativity. Yes, they too have to work within the studio system, but given a free hand they would unleash their passions. That’s why I started my own company, so I could make films that give me satisfaction.”
When he speaks about his labour of love, Raju Chacha, he lights up, “From the set design, to photography and visual effects, at the time of release, no other Indian film had walked the path we had. The budget was in excess of many other films released at that time. I never spared any expense and was very happy with the results. Perhaps it wasn’t a box office success, but it satisfied me and is actually enjoying lots of success at the moment. That film was definitely ahead of its time.”
One of his current assignments is Bollywood wunderkind Ram Gopal Varma’s remake of the classic Sholay. He says that like many others he too questioned why the film was to be remade. But when he heard Varma’s story narration and ideas on how the film was going to be made, he signed up immediately. Devgan adds, “There’ll still be many who feel that the film should never be remade. But Varma’s version is going to be amazing. The whole setting has been changed from a western style to an urban setting and he is casting against type. He is making the film for a new generation of audiences. It’s going to be interesting.”
When he speaks of his wife, the wonderfully talented actress Kajol, a smile crosses his face. They were married in 1999 and in an industry filled with stories of marital woes, are very much the ideal Bollywood couple. He says, “Kajol spent some time with me in Cape Town, which was great. She only recently started acting again after having taken time off to start our family. I’m looking forward to working opposite her in a film that we’re doing for our production company.”
To my surprise, the star, when engaged in conversation, is extremely affable; happy to speak about his career and interests. In fact, he asked for a few minutes grace before we started and shortly thereafter, came to me and said he was ready to chat. Standing outside Kelvin Grove, substituting for a casino for a scene in the film, Devgan told me about his impressions of Cape Town. “It’s a wonderful place”, he said smiling, “in fact my production company are finalising a location for one of our forthcoming films and I’ve suggested that before they make a decision, they should consider the Cape. I would love to work here again. It’s a fantastic city”, Devgan said emphatically.
The talented actor can be classified a Bollywood veteran with more than 70 films to his credit. Despite being only a year away from his 40th birthday, he has been a leading man in the Indian film industry for approximately 15 years.
Unlike many of his contemporaries whose families are part of the Bollywood scene and therefore had easy entries into the industry, Devgan never followed that route. His father, Veeru, is a highly respected and legendary Bollywood stunt co-ordinator, but wasn’t responsible for his son’s choice to become an actor. He continues, “I never consciously set out to become an actor. My Dad was in the industry and it seemed inevitable that I would follow in his footsteps. I started out as an assistant director. A friend, who was directing a film, persuaded me to act as the lead in his production. The film, Phool Aur Kaante, became a massive hit and my career was decided you could say, on the strength of that film.”
Devgan is one of the few actors who have avoided becoming typecast as a certain type of character. When I make this comment, he reacts excitedly. “You’re right”, he says, “I’m lucky that the audience has accepted me in various roles. I’ve done romantic films, action roles and even comedy. It’s wonderful, because it has given me a chance to progress as an actor and re-invent myself again and again.”
He is not only an excellent actor, but also an astute businessman who understands the dynamics of filmmaking and has applied it in his own production and distribution company. Devgan says modestly, “Film production for me is about being able to find a balance between the business side and the passion one has as an artiste. Yes, many Indian film companies are trying to emulate the Hollywood studio system in an effort to control budgets, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of creativity. While I will also try my utmost to work within budgets, I would have no hesitation in foregoing extra fees if I feel a scene is absolutely necessary. That’s where the passion comes in. It can’t only be about business.”
Some of his favourite Hollywood directors are Martin Scorcese and James Cameron. Devgan says filled with admiration, “These are filmmakers who have a passion for what they do. It is quite obvious if you watch their films that they are uncompromising when it comes to creativity. Yes, they too have to work within the studio system, but given a free hand they would unleash their passions. That’s why I started my own company, so I could make films that give me satisfaction.”
When he speaks about his labour of love, Raju Chacha, he lights up, “From the set design, to photography and visual effects, at the time of release, no other Indian film had walked the path we had. The budget was in excess of many other films released at that time. I never spared any expense and was very happy with the results. Perhaps it wasn’t a box office success, but it satisfied me and is actually enjoying lots of success at the moment. That film was definitely ahead of its time.”
One of his current assignments is Bollywood wunderkind Ram Gopal Varma’s remake of the classic Sholay. He says that like many others he too questioned why the film was to be remade. But when he heard Varma’s story narration and ideas on how the film was going to be made, he signed up immediately. Devgan adds, “There’ll still be many who feel that the film should never be remade. But Varma’s version is going to be amazing. The whole setting has been changed from a western style to an urban setting and he is casting against type. He is making the film for a new generation of audiences. It’s going to be interesting.”
When he speaks of his wife, the wonderfully talented actress Kajol, a smile crosses his face. They were married in 1999 and in an industry filled with stories of marital woes, are very much the ideal Bollywood couple. He says, “Kajol spent some time with me in Cape Town, which was great. She only recently started acting again after having taken time off to start our family. I’m looking forward to working opposite her in a film that we’re doing for our production company.”
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