Ajay Devgn Recalls His First Dangerous Stunt and Mahesh Bhatt Narrating ‘Zakhm’ To Him While He Was in the Shower (Exclusive)

Over the last three-and-a-half decades, Ajay Devgn has built one of Hindi cinema’s most durable careers, moving between action spectacles, intense dramas, comedies and franchise entertainers with remarkable consistency. From performing high-risk stunts in the pre-CGI era to becoming one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, the actor’s journey has been shaped by instinct, discipline and longevity. 

Looking back at some of the “firsts” that defined his career, Devgn opens up to Variety India about the stunt that terrified him, the first major purchase he made after entering films, his bond with Mahesh Bhatt and why he has always trusted his gut over outside opinions.

First Stunt That Made You Think, “Yeh Risk Zayada Ho Gaya" (This Was Too Much)?

It was the first stunt of my life: standing on two bikes for “Phool Aur Kaante.” At the time, there was no CGI, no cables and the bikes had to be coordinated, so it was very scary. I mean it was not about doing a split, it was about the bikers also coordinating and riding in sync.

First Big Splurge From Your Paycheque?

Even before I started getting steady work, when my first film released, the first thing I bought was a nice, expensive car.

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First Script You Read In One Night?

I don't remember reading any script overnight; but I do remember this one time, while shooting in Hyderabad. At the time, there were no mobile phones. I was in the shower. The hotel’s bathroom landline rang, I received it and it was Bhatt Saab (Mahesh Bhatt) on the line. He told me, “I want you to do a film for me” and I said, “Bhatt Saab, I am having a bath, can I call you back?” He said, “No, no, one second and it will take me two minutes.” In two minutes, he narrated “'Zakhm” and I said, “Now, can I have a shower? Let me go, I am doing the film.”

First Person You Show Your Script To For Honest Feedback?

Honestly, nobody. If I like something, I go ahead and do it, if I don't like something, I don’t. It's just that I follow my heart, I do not follow anybody.

First Cheat Meal After A Major Transformation? 

I keep doing cheat meals. I have never been so strict. One should never be so strict that you are missing something and then you get into cheating completely.

First Industry Friend Who Truly Believed In You?

Again Bhatt Saab. My first film hadn't released and I was standing outside my dad's office.  A car was passing by and Bhatt Saab remarked, “I looked into your eyes while the car was moving. You are going to do great, trust me on that.” That felt amazing, too.

First Film Set Where You Felt At Home?

I feel comfortable on most of my sets. But obviously, my first film because I felt at home because the director Kukuji (Kuku Kohli) was also like a family member. After that, too,I made it a point to only work with people, I am comfortable with and when I wake up in the morning and I have to go for work, I do not want to give it a second thought, like “Oh shit, I have to be on this set.” I try my best not to work with such people.

First Co-Actor You Bonded With?

I would say, apart from Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Salman (Khan) and everybody, the first film I did was with Amrishji (late actor Amrish Puri). He was a gem of a person. He was somebody very, very senior and older to me. The only guy in the industry whose feet I used to touch, but we were like friends. I mean, I could tell him anything, I would rag him, he would get upset with me and then he would come back to me and start laughin, too. So, that bonding has always been great apart from all the friends I have.

First Song Of Yours That Became A National Craze?

I don't know, now it's more than dancing, it's just my hands dancing and people start talking about it and writing about it. I don't know if it's good or bad but whatever it is, it is.

What's The Secret Sauce To Your Success?

Never cheat on your work, dedication and believe in yourself. Those are the three things I do. Now, is that the reason for my success? I really don't know, but it is something that definitely works.

One Message For Your Fans?

It's been nearly 35 years and they have given me so much love. Today, I am what I am because of them. I am going to try to keep doing my best and entertain them and thank them.