`Himmatwala` failed as 80s not shown in contemporary way: Ajay Devgn

Mumbai: Actor Ajay Devgn, who played the lead in `Himmatwala` remake, says he knew that the film would tank, primarily because the period of 80s, in which it is set, was not shown in a contemporary way.

Ajay stepped into the shoes of veteran Jitendra for the remake of the 1983 Hindi blockbuster of the same name, directed by Sajid Khan. "We were aware... We knew about it (failure of the film). When we had seen the film there was a feeling that something had gone wrong," Ajay said. Prod him further and Ajay says, "I think it will be critical to my director. But I think 80s were shown and shot like 80s while when we did `Once Upon A Time in Mumbai` we had shown 70s and 80s in a contemporary manner. So I think that`s what did not work very well for the film." The film released this year in March and bombed at the box office. "Box office success is very important... Somebody puts money and they do it only when there is box office success to it," he added. But he does admit that there were times when he did films for the sake of friendship in the industry. "Everybody does something or the other because of relations. But the bottom line is you need to be professional which the newer generation of actors are. We do work for friends and we suffer but the new generation does not give into that, which is good. There is hardcore professionalism today," Ajay said. After working for so many years in the industry, Ajay feels that being excited about work is essential. "The excitement for work should be there. If you are excited to go for work... Then things become easy. But sometimes you realise while working that this film is not going to work... Then its difficult for you to wake up and go to work," he added. PTI