Post by nisa on May 2, 2008 1:49:51 GMT 12
Ajay Devgan: Tough Guy Shows His Softer Side
By R.M.VIJAYAKAR
Special to India-West
MUMBAI — Seventeen years ago, the son of one of our most respected stunt coordinators, Veeru Devgan, switched tracks from behind the scenes (he was assisting Shekhar Kapur) and signed a film called “Phool Aur Kaante.” It was a blockbuster in 1991, and Ajay Devgan never looked back.
He rapidly took on the image of the tough, dour action hero through subsequent box-office successes like “Jigar,” “Dilwale,” “Vijaypath,” “Diljale” and “Suhaag.” But Mahesh Bhatt, for one, saw the emotional, intense shade latent in the actor and gave him dramatic roles in films like “Naajayaz” and “Zakham.” Anees Bazmee, who directed him in the action drama “Hulchul,” sensed a comic side and so was born Ajay’s career-turnaround film, “Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha” in 1998.
Since then, Devgan has moved from strength to strength, with an enviable range of performances in films as varied as “Thakshak,” “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,” “Kachche Dhaage,” “Ishq,” “Company,” “The Legend Of Bhagat Singh,” “Qayamat,” “Bhoot,” and others down to “Kaal,” “Sunday,” “Halla Bol” and now “U Me Aur Hum.”
Six of his films have been with Kajol, the girl he fell in love with way back in the mid-‘90s and married in 1999. “U, Me Aur Hum,” the seventh together and the first film they did post-marriage, also marked his directorial debut when it was released April 11.
In a rapid-fire interview with India-West, the actor talks about his film and other matters.
Excerpts from an interview:
Q: Now that “U, Me Aur Hum” is up for release, how do you feel?
A: I am not really nervous, just a bit excited. The opening has been good, especially the advance bookings up North. I am confident that no one can say that I have made a bad film.
Q: What made you decide on a directorial debut now?
A: I did not go looking for a story because I wanted to direct a film at a particular time. It was an idea that I had that touched my heart with its positivity. The bottom-line of any movie is that it should entertain, but in the course of entertaining the audience, agar main do-chaar acchi baatein bhi bataa sakoon about love and life, it’s great. For me, if a couple comes out of the theater holding hands or if a spouse comes out missing his or her partner then I have succeeded.
Q: Does that also means that we do not know when you will direct a film next?
A: Yes, I should get an idea that connects with me.
Q: Who came up with the title?
A: My writer, Robin Bhatt. You see, we choose a person as our soul-mate and go the whole way trying to woo him. But afterwards, we try to change that person to suit us. But if we did not like the person’s individuality why did we choose him?
Q: You handled three departments — acting in the film, producing, directing and also writing the story. How difficult was it?
A: It wasn’t really tough — it was more of mehnat — lots of hard work.
Q: Is there any filmmaker who inspires you, or is your role-model?
A: I am inspired by Vijay Anand. He had this way of perfectly blending storytelling and technique. It is never easy taking a concept from on paper to on the screen. Thoda resolution loss hota hi hai.
Q: Kajol says that she insisted on doing her role.
A: Yeah, she did not give me a choice! (Grins) She has the most difficult character, not just in the film, but also I think of her career.
Q: Was she an actor-plus too, given that this is your own film?
A: Yes, she did handle production.
Q: Kajol says that you wanted to become a director from the age of eight and got sidetracked into acting.
A: Yes, I made video films when very young. I started assisting Shekhar Kapur and doing editing at the age of 11 or so. It was my father who wanted me to become an actor. I was always fascinated by the technical side, and loved being behind the camera. I would operate trolleys and cranes myself and plan a kamaal ka shot in those days! Later I realized that filmmaking is not about extraordinary shots but primarily about storytelling. Now whatever I do behind the camera is to help me tell a story.
Q: She also said that you are a better director for having been an actor.
A: Well, when you work with great directors you do subconsciously pick up elements from some of them.
Q: You showed the film to L.K. Advani recently.
A: Ravi Shankar Prasad of the BJP is very close to my family and he wanted to watch the film, so he invited Advani-ji and a few others over. I was very nervous, but he loved the film.
Q: A line in the film says that your character needed 24 drinks to get the courage to propose. How did you propose to Kajol in real life?
A: I never proposed to her! Everything went logically to a mutual wish to get married.
Q: It’s years since you did an action drama.
A: Yes, I need to look for a great script in that genre. I am fortunate that the audience has accepted me in every kind of role and in that sense I have no image.
:by indiawest
