Ajay Devgn | |
|---|---|
 Devgn in 2025 | |
| Born | Vishal Virender Devgan (1969-04-02)2 April 1969 (age 56) New Delhi, India |
| Education | Mithibai College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Virender "Veeru" Devgan |
| Family | |
| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2016) |
| Website | ajaydevgnffilms |
Vishal Virender Devgan (born 2 April 1969), known professionally asAjay Devgn, is an Indian actor, film director and producer.[1][2][3] One of the most prolific actors ofHindi cinema, he has appeared in over100 films and has wonnumerous accolades, including fourNational Film Awards and fourFilmfare Awards. In 2016, he was honoured by theGovernment of India with thePadma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour.[4]
Devgn made his film debut with the action romancePhool Aur Kaante (1991), which established him as a leading star.[5] He went on to star in action films such asJigar (1992),Vijaypath (1994),Dilwale (1994),Jaan (1996),Major Saab (1998) andKachche Dhaage (1999), as well as romantic films includingIshq (1997),Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) andHum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).[6] His dramatic performance inZakhm (1998) earned him theNational Film Award for Best Actor.[7]
In the 2000s, Devgn gained critical acclaim with films such asCompany (2002),The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002),Deewangee (2002),Gangaajal (2003),Khakee (2004),Raincoat (2004),Apaharan (2005) andOmkara (2006).[8][9][10] For portrayingBhagat Singh inThe Legend of Bhagat Singh, he received his second National Film Award for Best Actor and theFilmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.[11][12]
Devgn saw a commercial resurgence in the 2010s with films such asGolmaal 3 (2010),Raajneeti (2010),Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010),Singham (2011),Bol Bachchan (2012),Son of Sardaar (2012),Singham Returns (2014),Drishyam (2015),Golmaal Again (2017),Raid (2018),Total Dhamaal (2019),Shaitaan (2024) andRaid 2 (2025).[13] His highest-grossing releases includeTanhaji (2020),Drishyam 2 (2022) andSingham Again (2024), though the latter underperformed at the box office.[14] For playing the title role inTanhaji, he won his third National Film Award for Best Actor.[15]
Devgn owns the production companyAjay Devgn FFilms, established in 1999.[16] He frequently collaborates with filmmakerRohit Shetty and is married to actressKajol, with whom he has two children.
Devgn was born Vishal Virender Devgan on 2 April 1969 to aPunjabi Hindu family originally fromAmritsar,Punjab, India.[17] The family has connections to theHindi film industry inMumbai. Devgn's father,Virender "Veeru" Devgan, was astunt choreographer andaction-film director and his mother, Veena Devgan, is a film producer. His cousin,Anil Devgan, is a filmmaker and screenwriter. Devgn graduated from the Silver Beach High School inJuhu and then studied atMithibai College.[18][19]
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Devgn began a relationship with the actressKarisma Kapoor while filmingJigar (1992), however, the couple ended their relationship in 1995.[20] That same year, Devgn's relationship with the actress,Kajol, began whilst they were co-starring inGundaraj (1995).[21] The media called them "an unlikely pair" due to their contrasting personalities.[22][23] On 24 February 1999, the couple married in a traditional MaharashtrianHindu ceremony at the Devgan home.[24][25] The couple has two children. Their daughter, Nysa, was born 20 April 2003[26] and their son, Yug, was born 13 September 2010.[27][28][23] Devgn and Kajol stored their newborn son's umbilical cord blood and tissues to act as a source of stem cells in case of serious ailment.[29]
He is a practicingShaivaHindu who prominently wears arudraksha which, along with other religious themes, features in his films.[30][31][32][33][34]
He visitsAjmer Sharif, aSufi shrine, every year, and says that he also keeps theRamadan fast as a sign ofsecularism and respect when he's with a Muslim artist or crew staff during a film shooting.[35]
In August 2009, Devgn changed the spelling of his surnameDevgan toDevgn, at the request of his family.[36]
As Devgn entered the film industry in 1991, he changed his stage name from his birth name, Vishal, to "Ajay" due to several other actors named Vishal being launched at the same time, includingManoj Kumar's son.[3] He began his professional career alongsideMadhoo in the action romancePhool Aur Kaante, which earned him theFilmfare Award for Best Male Debut.[37][38][39] In his opening scene, Devgn performed asplit while balancing between two motorcycles. His next film wasJigar (1992), a Bollywoodmartial arts film co-starringKarisma Kapoor. It was released onDiwali weekend and became the seventh-highest-grossing film of that year, taking₹7 crore (US$830,000) at thebox office.[39]
In 1993, Devgn starred inDil Hai Betaab, a film about a revengeful love triangle. He next featured inDivya Shakti and thenSangram, a story of enmity between two fathers.[40] Devgn then worked withDeepak Bahry, who directed the action filmEk Hi Raasta,[40] and with Deepak Pawar, who directedPlatform. Other releases that year wereShaktiman,Dhanwan andBedardi.[41][42][43]
In 1994, Devgn starred inHarry Baweja's romantic action filmDilwale. He played the part of Arun Saxena, a man with intellectual impairment. It was thetenth-highest-grossing film of the year.[44] His next release wasKanoon and thenKuku Kohli'sSuhaag withAkshay Kumar. The film was about two friends. Devgn played Ajay Sharma/Malhotra.Suhaag was the seventh-highest-grossing film of the year.[44] His next film wasVijaypath. Shooting dates forVijaypath clashed with those ofKaran Arjun which Devgn declined.Vijaypath was the eighth-highest-grossing film of the year.[45]
In 1995, Devgn appeared alongsideJuhi Chawla inMahesh Bhatt'sNaajayaz, which earned him his first nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Actor, followed byHulchul directed byMilan Luthria, alongsideKajol.[46] Devgn and Kajol then appeared inGundaraj which did not perform well at the box office.[46] His next release wasHaqeeqat co-starringTabu.[46] This film was the eleventh-highest-grossing film of the year.[46]
In 1996, Devgn starred in theaction filmJung withMithun Chakraborty,Rambha andAditya Pancholi. His next release was an action movie calledJaan,[47] withTwinkle Khanna. He then starred inHarry Baweja's filmDiljale, where he played a terrorist named Shaka.[47]
In 1997, Devgn starred in the poorly-received,Itihaas, with Twinkle Khanna. His next release wasIndra Kumar's romantic comedyIshq withAamir Khan,Juhi Chawla andKajol. In this successful film, Devgn played Ajay, a rich boy in love with a poor girl, played by Kajol.[48] The film grossed₹30 crore (US$3.5 million) and emerged as the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.[48][49]
In 1998, Devgn starred inMajor Saab withAmitabh Bachchan andSonali Bendre where he played the character of an army officer. It was a hit and the tenth-highest-grossing film of the year.[50] He next starred with Kajol inAnees Bazmee's second film, the romantic comedyPyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of the 1995 American filmFrench Kiss. It grossed₹38.27 crore (US$4.5 million) at the box office and emerged a superhit.[51] Devgn's next release wasMahesh Bhatt's dramaZakhm, which examines communal tension in Mumbai during the1993 Bombay riots. Devgn played a man who is fed up with religious conflict. Devgn won several awards for his critically acclaimed performance, including theNational Film Award for Best Actor and theScreen Award for Best Actor, in addition to his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.[52]
In 1999, Devgn starred in the musical romanceHum Dil De Chuke Sanam, in which he played Vanraj, a man who tries to help his wife (Aishwarya Rai) reunite with her lover (Salman Khan).Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam marked a significant turning point in Devgn's career. The film, an adaptation ofMaitreyi Devi's Bengali novelNa Hanyate, was directed bySanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starredSalman Khan andAishwarya Rai. Devgn's performance received positive reviews from critics.Rediff said: "Ajay's role reminds you of one he did in another film,Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha. There he is searching for the boyfriend of the girl he secretly loves. But intense scenes are his forte and he does well here. He's particularly good in the scene where he gets exasperated with his wife's stubbornness and strives to keep his cool."[53] The film proved to be a commercial success and earned Devgn his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. After that, he appeared inHindustan Ki Kasam with Amitabh Bachchan and Sonali Bendre.[54] He then worked with the director Milan Luthria inKachche Dhaage, withSaif Ali Khan andManisha Koirala. It was a box-office hit.[54] He then performed in another successful filmHogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, a romantic comedy;[54] and then in his home production with Kajol and directorPrakash Jha, titledDil Kya Kare. His other movies in 1999 wereGair andThakshak in which he played a strong, silent man.[55][56]
Devgn began the new decade with two biggies,Deewane andRaju Chacha (which he also produced).[57] Both the films opened to mixed critical reception, but proved to be box office flops.[58][59] The downturn continued in 2001 with all three of his releases, includingYeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke,Lajja andTera Mera Saath Rahen failing to do well commercially.[60][61]
2002 proved to be a key year for Devgn as he starred in three films of contrasting genres. He first appeared inRam Gopal Varma'sCompany which was a fictional examination of theMumbai underworld. The film proved to be a moderate commercial success and Devgn's performance received critical acclaim.[62][63] AsTaran Adarsh reviewed: "Devgn enacts his role to perfection. A controlled performance, the actor takes to this complex character like a fish takes to water. He underplays his part with admirable ease."[64] Devgn's next release wasDavid Dhawan's comedyHum Kisise Kum Nahin, withAmitabh Bachchan,Sanjay Dutt andAishwarya Rai.[65] The same year, he played the role ofBhagat Singh, inRajkumar Santoshi's biopicThe Legend of Bhagat Singh.[66] His performance was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh said, "Devgn has lived the role. To state that he is excellent would be an understatement. His performance is bound to win admiration from audience, besides fetching awards."[67] The film was released on 7 June 2002 and went on to win twoNational Film Awards, including theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and threeFilmfare Awards, including theFilmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). Despite these awards, and Devgn winning his secondNational Film Award for Best Actor for his performance, the film was a box office disaster.[68] Devgn then went on to perform inAnees Bazmee'sDeewangee which was partially inspired byWilliam Diehl's novel,Primal Fear.[69] He jointly won theFilmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics) for his performance inCompany andThe Legend of Bhagat Singh, in addition to receiving his fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the former. For his performance inDeewangee, he received several awards including theFilmfare Award for Best Villain, theScreen Award for Best Villain and theZee Cine Award for Best Villain.
In 2003, Devgn starred in Ram Gopal Verma's horror filmBhoot, oppositeUrmila Matondkar. The film was appreciated critically and emerged a hit at the box office.[70] He then starred in the action thrillerQayamat: City Under Threat with the debutante actress,Neha Dhupia, which proved to be an average fare.[71] Devgn next performed in Milan Luthria's romantic filmChori Chori, oppositeRani Mukherji andSonali Bendre. This film did not succeed at the box office.[72] Devgn's next release of the year wasPrakash Jha'sGangaajal. The film was set in the time of the1980 Bhagalpur blindings inBihar. Rediff.com said, "Ajay Devgan pulls up an ace with a part tailormade to reinforce his seething-under-the-surface angry hero image. To his credit (and the director's), he brings style and grace to a largely stereotypical, righteous protagonist. To a great extent, his presence covers up the film's patchiness in the second half."[73] Devgn received his fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. He concluded the year withRohit Shetty's directorial debut, the actionerZameen andJ. P. Dutta'swar filmLOC Kargil about theKargil War.[74][75]
In 2004, Devgn was cast withAmitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai andAkshay Kumar in Rajkumar Santoshi's action thrillerKhakee. The film was released on 23 January 2004. It received positive reviews and became one of the highest-grossing films of 2004.[76] InKhakee, Devgn once again played a villain. His performance as a police officer turned murderer was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh said: "Ajay Devgan adds yet another feather in his cap with a performance that could've been played only by a master performer. His confrontations with Amitabh Bachchan are exemplary."[77] He received his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Villain for his performance in the film. Devgn then appeared inIndra Kumar's highly successfulsex comedyMasti andMani Ratnam's critically acclaimedpolitical action filmYuva.[78][79][80] He next collaborated withRituparno Ghosh in the relationship dramaRaincoat, with Aishwaraya Rai. The film is an adaptation ofO. Henry'sThe Gift of the Magi.Raincoat met with wide critical acclaim and won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[81][82] Devgn was praised for his performance. Rediff said: "Hesitation, desperation, humiliation – Ajay Devgn conveys them eloquently. His Manoj is no cool dude, but just another lower middle-class guy in misery, with whom none would like to switch place. He particularly stands out in the scenes where he cries in the bathroom, or begs Neeru not to marry someone else."[81]
2005 was a less successful year for Devgn, with five of his films not proving to be successful at the box office. They includedInsan,Blackmail,Main Aisa Hi Hoon,Tango Charlie andShikhar. However, the filmsKaal andApaharan did well.[83][84] His performance as a villain inKaal also earned him his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Villain.[85] In 2006, Devgn playedOthello inOmkara, a Hindi adaptation ofWilliam Shakespeare'sOthello. It was directed byVishal Bhardwaj. The film is a tragedy of sexual jealousy set against the backdrop of thepolitical system in Uttar Pradesh. It premiered at the2006 Cannes Film Festival and was screened at theCairo International Film Festival.[86][87]Omkara was well received by critics.Rediff said: "Othello is a tricky role, a leading man eclipsed by the villain. Yet the Moor is a brooding and compelling character, and Ajay Devgn does valiantly with his material. Omkara strips Othello of the racism, exchanging his black skin for surprisingly inconsequential half-Brahminism. Ajay's best bits are when restrained, and while there is a bit of a seen-that feel to his character, by the time the film is over, you realise just how unflinchingly solid he's been."[88] Taran Adarsh said: "Ajay makes a stirring and powerful interpretation of a man haunted by uncertainty about his lover's faithfulness. The serious look that Ajay carries suits him to the T. Of course, Ajay is exceptional in the film and looks every inch the character he portrays."[89] The same year, Devgn also starred inRohit Shetty'sbuddycomedy filmGolmaal, which was a hit and spawned three sequels.[90] In 2007, he starred in two films, directorAnubhav Sinha'sCash and Ram Gopal Varma'sAag, both of which were commercially unsuccessful.[91][92]
In 2008, Devgn starred in thesocial filmHalla Bol, directed byRajkumar Santoshi, alongsidePankaj Kapoor andVidya Balan.[93][94] The film is based on the life of activistSafdar Hashmi, who was killed in 1989 by political rivals while performing in the street playHalla Bol.[95] The film received negative reviews and was a flop at the box office.[96] The same year, Devgn also starred inRohit Shetty's third filmSunday.[97] He then took the lead role with Kajol in his own directorial debut filmU Me Aur Hum.[98] Although the film flopped, it earned positive reviews for his performance as well as for his direction.Rediff said: "His character grows, discovers both shirt-buttons and subtlety, delivering an intense acting job. Speaking almost entirely in platitudes – pithy at first, profound as he goes on – this grows into an extraordinarily well-written character, replete with flaws and relatability. The way he treats his remorse, drunkenly pointing every finger at himself around a dinner table, is superbly handled, as is his guilty struggle to delineate his life experience from his professional opinion."[99] Devgn also made a cameo appearance in his brotherAnil Devgan's filmHaal-e-Dil. He then starred inAfzal Khan'sMehbooba.[100] Again in 2008, Devgn starred inRohit Shetty's comedyGolmaal Returns, a sequel to the 2006 filmGolmaal about a mistrustful wife who believed her husband was unfaithful.The Indian Express said the screenplay was derivative, concluding: "There is nothing particularly new about a suspicious wife keeping tabs on her husband, and there is nothing particularly new in the way Ajay-Kareena play it."[101]Golmaal Returns was a major commercial success with global revenues of₹80 crore (US$9.5 million).[102] In 2009, Devgn had two releases, Rohit Shetty's comedy filmAll the Best: Fun Begins andVipul Amrutlal Shah'sLondon Dreams, which also co-starredSalman Khan. Both the films were hugely anticipated before release, but due to negative critical reception,All the Best could only manage average business, while the latter was a commercial failure.[103][104]
In 2010, Devgn featured in the financially successful comedyAtithi Tum Kab Jaoge? withParesh Rawal andKonkona Sen Sharma. He then featured inPrakash Jha's political thrillerRaajneeti.Raajneeti was released internationally on 4 June 2010, after some controversies regarding similarities between actual people and the characters in the film. There were also issues about the use of the national anthem in the film. The film was made with a budget of₹60 crore (US$7.1 million)[105] At release, it received positive reviews and emerged a superhit at the box office.[106] Again, in 2010, Devgn starred inMilan Luthria'sOnce Upon a Time in Mumbaai, which was among thetop-grossing films of that year.[107] Both the film and Devgn's performance were well received by the critics.Taran Adarsh said: "Ajay Devgn is splendid as Sultan. The actor had enacted a similar role inCompany, but it must be said that his interpretation is so different inOnce Upon A Time in Mumbaai. He adds so much depth to the character, which only goes to prove his range and versatility. This is, without a trace of doubt, Ajay's finest work so far."[108]Komal Nahta said: "Ajay Devgn is simply fantastic in the role ofSultan Mirza. So real is his performance that it looks like he was born to play this role. Right from his look to his acting including dialogue-delivery, everything is fabulous. Indeed, an award-winning performance!"[109] The film earned him his sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Devgn then starred inPriyadarshan's action-thriller filmAakrosh which explores the subject ofhonour killings.[110]Aakrosh received some positive reviews, but was financially unsuccessful. At the end of 2010, Devgn worked again with Rohit Shetty inGolmaal 3, a sequel toGolmaal Returns (2008). Although, like its predecessor, the film received mixed reviews, it was the most successful of theGolmaal series, earning more than₹169 crore (US$20 million) and emerging a blockbuster.[111] Devgn also worked as an actor and voice artist inToonpur Ka Superrhero, alive action animated film.[112]
In 2011, Devgn performed withEmraan Hashmi inMadhur Bhandarkar's comedyDil Toh Baccha Hai Ji. He was a narrator inYamla Pagla Deewana and also made a cameo appearance inReady. Devgn starred in Rohit Shetty'sSingham. Taran Adarsh said: "The title means 'Lion' and Ajay is in the centre of the battle between good and evil. Ajay is well known for the lines, "aataa maajhi satakli". The embodiment of screen masculinity, Ajay enacts the central character of a righteous, hardhearted cop with flourish. He brings alive on screen a larger-than-life hero character with determined conviction, which renders you thunderstruck. One of the few actors who underplays his part admirably, he returns to the over-the-top-action genre of films with this one. In a nutshell, his performance plays a pivotal role in carrying the film to the winning post."[113]Singham earned him his seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He then starredDavid Dhawan'saction comedy filmRascals.[114]
The following year, Devgn starred inTezz, directed byPriyadarshan. His co-stars wereAnil Kapoor,Boman Irani,Kangana Ranaut,Sameera Reddy andZayed Khan. Devgn then starred in Rohit Shetty's filmBol Bachchan. He then starred inSon of Sardaar. In 2013, Devgn featured in the critically and commercially unsuccessfulHimmatwala, a remake of the1983 film of the same name.[115] Devgn next featured in Prakash Jha's political dramaSatyagraha.[116]
In 2014, Devgn featured in Rohit Shetty'sSingham Returns, a sequel toSingham.Singham Returns received mixed reviews from Indian critics.[117] Taran Adarsh ofBollywood Hungama gave it 4 stars and said: "The film is a completemass entertainer with power-packed drama, hi-intensity dialogue and towering performances as its aces. The brand value attached to it coupled with a long weekend will help the film reap a harvest and rule the box office in days to come."[118] It had dollections of over₹32.09 crore (US$3.8 million) on the first day of its release in India with a domestic net of₹140.62 crore (US$17 million).[119] Devgn next featured inPrabhu Deva'sAction Jackson which did not perform well at box office.[120]
In 2015, Devgn starred inDrishyam, directed byNishikant Kamat. The film received positive reviews, Meena Iyer ofThe Times of India gave the film four out of five stars, describing it as "Asuspensedrama with a nail-biting finish." She praised Devgn's performances: "Ajay, who is the prey here, shines in his role of the protective father."[121] The film was successful at the box office, by the end of its sixth week, the film had grossed about₹76.48 crore (US$9.0 million) at the domestic box office.[122]
In 2016, Devgn was seen in his own production,Shivaay, which released aroundDiwali 2016.Shivaay is an action drama movie.[123] Shivaay opened to mixed reviews and grossed more than₹146 crore (US$17 million).[124] In 2017, Devgn featured in director Milan Luthria'sBaadshaho[125] and Rohit Shetty'sGolmaal Again.[126] WhileBaadshaho flopped, the latter emerged a blockbuster collecting 100 crores in 4 days of its release and a lifetime collection of 205 crores at the Indian box office while making a hefty 310 crores at worldwide box office.[127][128]
In 2018, Devgn starred inRaj Kumar Gupta'sRaid where he plays the role of an honestIndian Revenue Service officer, which released to positive critical feedback on 16 March, and was a commercial success.[129] Devgn has long been working on producingSons of Sardaar: TheBattle of Saragarhi, a sequel toSon of Sardaar.[130] In August 2017, Devgn stated: "We are working on the script but it won't happen for another two years because of the scale of the project."[131] He starred inDe De Pyaar De alongsideTabu andRakul Preet Singh.[132] In early 2020, Devgn portrayed the role of 17th-century military leaderTanaji Malusare in an eponymously titled film,Tanhaji; directed byOm Raut.[133] The film was released on 10 January 2020 and went on to win threeNational Film Awards, including theBest Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment andBest Actor, both for Devgn, in addition to his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor[134]Tanhaji earned Rs 3.67 billion ($49 million) worldwide, making it thehighest-grossing Bollywood film of 2020.[135] Moreover, it marks Ajay Devgn's 100th film as an actor.[136]
In 2021, he starred alongsideSanjay Dutt,Sharad Kelkar,Nora Fatehi andSonakshi Sinha in ahistorical film based on theIndo-Pakistani war of 1971,Bhuj: The Pride of India,[137] it was a critical failure. He had a cameo in Rohit Shetty'sSooryavanshi, reprising his role asDCPBajirao Singham from theSingham film series, now expanded intoRohit Shetty's Cop Universe.[138]
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In 2022, Devgn made his OTT debut with the web series,Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, onDisney+ Hotstar.[139] The same year, he released his third directorial,Runway 34. It received positive reviews from both the critics and audience, but failed on the box office.[140] He was also seen in extended cameo appearances in Sanjay Leela Bhansali'sGangubai Kathiawadi andS. S. Rajamouli'sRRR, for which he received high praise.[141] Later that year, Devgn was seen asChitragupt inIndra Kumar'sThank God, which also starredSidharth Malhotra, which turned out to be a commercial failure.[142] Later he starred in the sequel toDrishyam,Drishyam 2, directed byAbhishek Pathak. It became a major critical and commercial success, along with becoming his second highest-grossing film of his career, afterTanhaji.[143] The following year, Devgn starred and directed the Hindi remake of the Tamil filmKaithi (2019),Bholaa, his third directorial. The film was a critical and commercial disappointment.[144]
In 2024, Devgn had four major releases. The first was the horror filmShaitaan, which received a favorable response from critics and emerged a huge hit at the box office.[145] He then appeared inAmit Ravindernath Sharma's third directorial ventureMaidaan, which saw him portraying Indian football coachSyed Abdul Rahim. Although the biopic and Devgn's performance received highly positive reviews, the film was a financial failure.[146][147] His next release,Neeraj Pandey'sAuron Mein Kahan Dum Tha was also abox office flop, this time to mixed to negative reviews.[148] Devgn's final release of that year, the fifth installment of Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe, the actionerSingham Again took an initial of ₹437 million and collected₹3.89 billion (US$46 million) worldwide. Despite underperforming at the box office, it emerging as his highest-grossing movie as well as thesixth highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.[149]
In 2025, Devgn did a guest appearance in his nephew Aaman Devgn's debut filmAzaad, directed byAbhishek Kapoor.[150] His first major release of the year,Raid 2, a sequel to his 2018 releaseRaid, emerged as a box-office hit, ranking as one of thehighest-grossing Hindi films of the year.[151][152] He next appeared inSon of Sardaar 2, aspiritual sequel to 2012 filmSon of Sardaar.[153] Released on 25 August, it opened to poor critical reception andbombed at the box office.[154] His next release wasDe De Pyaar De 2, a direct sequel to his 2019 film.
Ajay Devgn FFilms (ADF) is an Indian filmproduction anddistribution company established by actor Ajay Devgn in 2000. Based inMumbai, it mainly produces and distributesHindi films. In 2000, ADF released its first film,Raju Chacha. The film starred Devgn himself as the lead actor and his wifeKajol as the lead actress.Raju Chacha received mixed reviews but grossed Rs 209.2 millions at the box office.[155]
In 2008, Devgn co-produced the dramaU Me Aur Hum, which marked hisdirectorial debut.[156] Devgn also played the lead role in the film, sharing the screen again with Kajol. The film was written by Devgn himself and three other writers. Critical reception was generally positive, withTaran Adarsh giving the film 4 out of 5 stars and describing it as "A well-made, absorbing love story that's high on emotional quotient".[157]
In 2009, Devgn released and acted in his home productionAll the Best: Fun Begins, which was directed byRohit Shetty and also starring,Sanjay Dutt,Fardeen Khan,Bipasha Basu andMugdha Godse. The film was released on 16 October 2009 and received positive response from critics. It was rated a hit in India, and is the twelfth highest grossing Bollywood film of 2009.[158]
In 2014, ADF producedSingham Returns starring Devgn andKareena Kapoor. In 2016 Devgn produced and starred inShivaay which is to be the most expensive film of his production.[159]
In late December 2017, ADF collaborated withFox Star Studios to produceTotal Dhamaal starring Devgn,Riteish Deshmukh,Arshad Warsi,Javed Jaffrey,Madhuri Dixit, andAnil Kapoor.[160]
In 2018, Ajay Devgn released his firstMarathi film productionAapla Manus.[161] Adramatic thriller written by Vivek Bele and directed bySatish Rajwade, it starredNana Patekar,Iravati Harshe, andSumeet Raghavan. It was produced by Ajay Devgn,Nana Patekar,Abhinav Shuklaa, Manish Mishra andRohit Choudhary and released on 9 February 2018.[162] The film was distributed byViacom 18 Motion Pictures.[163]
In October 2015, Devgn established avisual effects company,NY VFXWAALA, named after his children Nysa and Yug. It has been involved with many major films, such asPrem Ratan Dhan Payo,Tamasha,Bajirao Mastani,Mersal,Dilwale,Force 2, andSimmba.[164] The company won theBest Special Effects award at the64th National Film Awards for the filmShivaay (2016).[165]
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Ashwini Deshmukh ofFilmfare termed Devgn a "private person" who is self-confessedly uncomfortable around people and said, "Three decades in the industry and Ajay Devgn continues to enjoy the trust of filmmakers and the loyalty of his fans."[166] Ankur Pathak ofGQ noted, "Devgn has shown remarkable resilience as a bankable star who has never had to rely on a 'comeback' film since he never really goes off-screen."[167] Sandeep Unnithan ofIndia Today termed him a "versatile actor" and said, "Devgn is a darling of his directors."[168]Rediff.com noted the actor's change from "lanky star son" to "back-to-back hits churner". It further credited him for popularising the "intense, brooding hero" looks.[169]
Devgn is among the most popular and highest paid celebrities in India.[170][171][172] He has frequently featured in theForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list since 2012. He peaked at the 10th position in 2018 with an estimated annual income of₹745 million (US$8.8 million).[173] In 2019, he was placed 12th, with an estimated annual income of₹940 million (US$11 million).[174] He was also inducted into theBollywood Walk of Fame atBandra Bandstand, where his hand print was preserved.[175] Devgn was placed 7th inRediff.com's list of Top 10 Actors of 2000–2010.[176] InRediff.com "Top Bollywood Actors" list, Devgn ranked 1st in 2002.[177] He subsequently ranked 4th in 2004, 10th in 2006 and 2nd in 2019.[178][179][180] InEastern Eye's Sexiest Asian Men list of 2011, Devgn was placed 29th.[181]
Is Deewangee adapted from Primal Fear? No, it is not. I was inspired by Primal Fear.
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