is regarded as ‘the golden
age of Indian football’.
The biggest high under
his guidance came at the
1962 Asian Games, where
India beat South Korea
to bag the gold medal.
Another fascinating project
is Chanakya to be directed
by Neeraj Pandey. The
film, based on 4th century
BC scholar, advisor,
economist and political
strategist will be made in
two parts reportedly. Ajay’s
also said to be part of S.S.
Rajamouli’s tentatively
titled film RRR.
Despite quite a few 100
crore movies in his kitty,
the box-office magnet
doesn’t bite into the bait.
“It’s just become a term,"
he emphasises about the
100-crore tag. “Also, it’s
relative. If a film is made
in 15 crores and earns
80 crores, it’s a more
profitable venture than
a 150-crore budget film,
which collects 120 crores,”
he reasons. The actor
cautions that the quality of
the film can suffer if you’re
concentrating only on thebox office figures.
He seems keen to
venture in the OTT
platform as a producer.
As an actor, he's keeping
his options open. “When
I come across something
great, I may take the
plunge,” he says. He
believes both the OTT
platform and films are
here to stay. “What other
entertainment do we have?
The only outing an average
middle-class family can
afford is watching a movie
in a theatre. Eating out is
expensive,” he adds.H
e completes
30 years in the
industry this year
and has been part
of defining films.
Amidst potboilers he also
won acclaim for his roles
in avant garde cinema like
Zakhm and Raincoat. He
finds it difficult to pick
out his favourite work.
“You work hard in every
role. Some are appreciated,
some are not. But that
does not mean you didn’t
give your best. Of course,
it’s satisfying when a film
works, because it proves
the hard work has paid
off and many people have
watched it.”
He values the
relationships he’s formed
with colleagues over the
years. “We’ve all mellowed
down but the rapport
is the same. With the
new generation and the
corporates coming in, the
atmosphere has changed
though. But a handful of
us share the same bond
with each other,” he
claims. As an afterthought
he adds, “There was a
warmth earlier whereas
relationships today are
just professional.”
He denies that he’sperturbed by competition
from his peers or the new
generation. “Where’s
the competition?” he
asks. Everyone’s got his
own place. The younger
generation is doing well
too. That’s good. It’s
keeping us on our toes. So
that we don’t get lazy and
continue to give our best.”
How would he define his
success mantra? “I have
no idea. I believe it lies in
your intention to do good
work,” he smiles.
Recently, the #MeToo
movement unearthed
uncomfortable truths
about the industry as
well. Is it ethical to work
with those accused of
exploitation? “There’s
a difference between
‘accused’ and ‘proven
guilty’," he points out.
"One must definitely not
work with those proven
guilty. But those who
haven’t been... we can’t be
unfair to them. What about
their families? I know an
‘accused’, whose daughter
was so traumatised, she
stopped eating and going
to school.”
He’s known to be a
devoted family man,
someone who cherishes his
time with daughter Nysa
and son Yug. He strongly
condemns the scrutiny and
trolling that star kids have
to undergo. “Leave the
kids alone! It’s ridiculous,”
is his refrain. A fiercely
private person he sums
up his relationship with
wife Kajol with whom he
recently celebrated his
20 th anniversary, saying,
“She’s remained herself
and I’ve remained myself.
Both of us have not
changed. That’s the most
important thing. Also,
we’ve stuck together
through thick and thin.” KAJOL HAS REMAINED HERSELF AND I’VE
REMAINED MYSELF. BOTH OF US HAVE NOT
CHANGED. THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
ALSO, WE’VE STUCK TOGETHER THROUGH
THICK AND THINThere’s also Om
Raut’s biopic, Taanaji:
The Unsung Warrior, in
which he stars wih Saif
Ali Khan. Ajay plays the
valiant Subedar Taanaji
Malusare, who fought
alongside Chatrapathi
Shivaji Maharaj. “Taanaji
is an action film. The idea
is that both the masses and
the classes should like it,”
he says adding that grand
sets have been built for
the same. Being a combat-
based film, the shoot
is excruciating though.
“Just yesterday, I was on
a horse for eight hours. It
takes a toll on you but it’s
exciting too.” The son of
the late action director,
Veeru Devgan, Ajay credits
his ease with action to his
enhanced fitness levels.
“Today, we actors take care
of ourselves. Everyone has
become health conscious.
I’m feeling as energetic as
I was at 25.”
He will also be seen
in Amit Sharma’s sports
biopic on Syed Abdul
Rahim, the Indian football
team coach, whose tenure
With wife Kajol