A perfect 10?

It's a happy 2010 for Ajay Devgn ? he has his hands full with nearly half-a-dozen releases, and there's great news on the personal front too.

June 03, 2010 04:34 pm | Updated 04:49 pm IST

Ajay Devgn in Golmaal

Ajay Devgn in Golmaal

He's given some of his most hard-hitting performances in the four films with Prakash Jha. But this time around, Ajay Devgn is not promoting the director's Raajneeti hard enough. The actor clarifies he's been busy wrapping up Golmaal 3 in Goa. ?I am scared he may be a little angry with me for not promoting Raajneeti as much as we'd like. But between my schedules, I am trying to do my best. Also, thankfully, there are other actors in the film, and that takes care of promotions. But, there's no truth to reports of there being a rift between him and me,? says Ajay Devgn, who plays the role of Sooraj, a leader of the backward classes in Raajneeti , releasing today.

An ensemble star cast and the important, yet not central, role of Karn (whom the character Ajay plays is based on) in this modern-day adaptation of the Mahabharata have given rise to such speculation. But Ajay says his equation with Jha remains undisturbed. ?I share a comfortable rapport with him. He doesn't even need to explain his scenes to me or I, my requirements to him. In fact, when he came to me with the script, I asked him if he was sure I should do it. Once he said yes, there were no second thoughts,? he says.

While Ajay is not new to ensemble casts, has not taking centre-stage, unlike other films, caused discomfort? ?Though I am yet to see the film, all characters in Raajneeti are equal, in terms of footage and strength of the role. No single hero has a central role. In fact, my work was mainly with Manoj Bajpai. I might have had about seven or eight days of shoot with the other actors.?

Summing up his role, Ajay says: ?My character is grey, but remember it is politics, and not a single character is all good. In fact, people who've watched the film say that my character comes across as the most-principled because, he is wronged, but sticks to his word despite the consequences. I expect Sooraj will gain the sympathy of people.?

Devgn's next release is the Seventies' gangster film Once Upon A Time In Mumbai with Emraan Hashmi and Kangna Ranaut, said to be based on the life of Mumbai don Haji Mastan. ?This movie has shaped up very well. It's exciting to play a character who lived in the Seventies. We've recreated the entire era ? costumes, settings, mood and all. I'll shoot for a few touch-up scenes this week, and the film should be released by next month-end.?

But, that's not all. This is an action hero, who went on to do intense drama and then added a new dimension to his personality by doing comedies successfully. So, it's hard to pin him down to a stereotype. ?I am lucky to get this kind of variety. Of course, the intention to do different films was there, but it was never planned. But, I am glad I got the chance, otherwise it can get stifling,? says Ajay.

A sneak peek into his repertoire releasing this year ? action thriller Aakrosh by Priyadarshan; comedy Golmaal 3 by Rohit Shetty and live-action comedy Toonpur Ka Superhero directed by himself. ?With Aakrosh , I think we'll go back to hard-hitting action films. There is some hand-to-hand combat; the kind you don't get to see nowadays. With Golmaal 3 , we are hoping to repeat the success of Golmaal and All The Best . As for Toonpur ?, I'd say it's not just a kid's film. It has turned out very well, and both Kajol and I are playing live characters in it. The animation, like all animation films, has taken some time, but we'll release it for Christmas,? says an excited Ajay.

The Devgn family has been on a high, since Kajol posted a big success with My Name Is Khan . And, they are gearing up to welcome their second child. ?Touchwood, it's been a big year for us. We can only pray everything goes off well.?

As of now, he has three projects to work on back-to-back. Next month, he begins shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar's Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji with Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya. The month after that has been earmarked for Rajkumar Santoshi's crime-thriller with Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, and then Priyadarshan's next, an action flick.

With such a list, it could get difficult to etch out time for anything else, but Ajay will also direct a film starring Sanjay Dutt. Ask him if he could also take time out for politics, and prompt comes the reply: ?I am an actor; I'm just not cut out for politics!?

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