Interestingly, all four of Ajay Devgn's directorial ventures feature him in an acting role as well, making him both the director and an actor in his own films!
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn has been a prominent figure in the Indian film industry for over three decades. Today, he celebrates his 56th birthday. An actor, film director, and producer, the Padma Shri awardee began his career as an action hero but later expanded his repertoire by taking on diverse roles. Known for his versatility, Devgn has delivered timeless performances in films like ‘Phool Aur Kaante,’ ‘Vijaypath,’ ‘Dilwale,’ and ‘Zakhm.’ On his special day, let’s take a look at his four directorial ventures.
The romantic drama film ‘U Me Aur Hum,’ co-written, directed, and produced by Ajay Devgn, follows the story of Ajay played by Ajay Devgn, who meets barmaid Piya played by Kajol, during a cruise with his friends. They fall in love and get married, but their lives take a turn when Piya is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Kajol described her experience working with Devgn as always being a "new experience" due to his unpredictable nature. Made on a budget of ₹220 million, the film grossed ₹400.2 million worldwide. ‘U Me Aur Hum’ earned several nominations, including Best Actress for Kajol at the Filmfare and Screen Awards.
(Credit: Wikipedia)
In 2016, eight years after his directorial debut, Ajay Devgn returned with the action thriller ‘Shivaay.’ Starring Devgn in the lead role, the film also featured debutantes Sayyeshaa, Abigail Eames, and Erika Kaar in prominent roles. ‘Shivaay’ enjoyed a successful run of over 50 days at the box office. The film earned the 64th National Film Award for Best Special Effects in 2017. Critics praised it as a gripping emotional thriller, lauding its breathtaking visuals, intense action sequences, and Devgn's powerful performance.
‘Runway 34’ is a thriller film inspired by a real-life aviation incident involving Jet Airways flight 9W-555 from Doha to Kochi on August 17, 2015. The film stars Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rakul Preet Singh, with Boman Irani, Angira Dhar, and Aakanksha Singh in key roles. Originally titled ‘Mayday,’ the film’s name was changed to ‘Runway 34’ in November 2021. The number ‘34’ was chosen as a tribute to Devgn’s age when his daughter Nysa was born.
A remake of the 2019 Tamil film ‘Kaithi,’ ‘Bholaa’ stars Ajay Devgn alongside Tabu, Deepak Dobriyal, Sanjay Mishra, Gajraj Rao, and Vineet Kumar. The film follows Bholaa (played by Devgn), who is released from prison with the hope of reuniting with his daughter. However, his plans are derailed by a meticulously planned drug bust. Critics praised the film, describing it as a mass-appealing spectacle with impressive scale, grandeur, and action, highlighting the powerful performances of Ajay Devgn and Tabu as its standout features.
