- News>
- Newspapers
Uniform Act: Indian Express
The time : Late evening. Venue: Sports Complex at Andheri. Atmosphere: A curious mix of voltage-driven action and late evening lethargy.
The time : Late evening. Venue: Sports Complex at Andheri. Atmosphere: A curious mix of voltage-driven action and late evening lethargy.
The tall actor saunters in and settles down for a discussion with director Rajkumar Santoshi. Some patchup work needs to be done with the footage and Devgan gets into costume and readies for the shot with Aishwarya Rai. After umpteen retakes, the director is still undecided. Absolutely composed and patient, Devgan finally hugs his co-star ‘perfectly’. With a break announced, he settles down for a quick chat, a cigarette dangerously perched on his lips.
Ajay Devgan is currently riding high on the commercial success and critical acclaim of Prakash Jha’s Gangaajal, where he played the honest to goodness cop fighting the system. In Khakhee too, he plays a police officer. Although he is loathe to discuss the role which has been strictly kept under wraps, he clearly states he is not scared of getting typecast. “When you see the film, you will know why,” he says. “My role in Gangaajal did not have much to do with a cop’s personal life but Khakee is different. The character in Gangaajal believed in a different set of values than my Khakee character so there is no question of anyone drawing parallels between the two,”he adds.
Khakee is a multi-starrer with an impressive array of actors ranging from Amitabh Bachchan to Tusshar Kapoor starring in it. So far, Ajay has shown no reservations against roles in multistarrers or two-hero films when other actors categorically shy away from them. He says, “As long as I am sure of what I am doing and the character is well-defined, I have no problems.” Although he remains tightlipped about his role in the film, he says, “I think our present-day films are more authentic when it comes to portraying cops. In the earlier days, it was more playing to the gallery.” The conversation moves on to his co-stars. This is Ajay’s fourth film with Amitabh Bachchan after Major Saab,Hindustan Ki Kasam and Hum Kisise Kum Nahi.”Its been great working with Amitji this time around too. We share a good rapport and are very comfortable with each other. And mark my words,”, he says seriously,”If Amitji defined playing cop way back then with films like Zanjeer in the seventies, he is going to redefine it all over again with Khakee in 2003.” He mentions that it was good working with Akshay Kumar again and Aishwarya, both of whom he has previously teamed up with. “Tusshar Kapoor is also a very sweet guy. He is going to be the surprise packet of the film. Watch out for him,” he remarks.
An in-demand choreographer comes up to greet him and Ajay exchanges the usual pleasantries with him, also praising a recent number choreographed by him. The brief meeting over, he turns his attention back to the tete- a- tete and says,”I am a very lazy actor. I dont think about the scene or my nuances once the shot is over.” How does he separate Devgan the actor from Devgan the person? “I just switch off effectively,” he says.” I dont know all this spontaneity or method acting jargon . When I am in the middle of the scene all I think of is the character, and when I walk away I manage to shrug off my on-screen persona.”Speaking of on-screen personae Raj Kumar Santhoshi had given Ajay one of the best roles of his career in Legend Of Bhagat Singh. The actor had also earlier appeared in a cameo in Lajja. Devgan emphasises that he has built up a very comfortable working environment with the director whom he holds in high esteem.
Ajay Devgan is currently riding high on the commercial success and critical acclaim of Prakash Jha’s Gangaajal, where he played the honest to goodness cop fighting the system. In Khakhee too, he plays a police officer. Although he is loathe to discuss the role which has been strictly kept under wraps, he clearly states he is not scared of getting typecast. “When you see the film, you will know why,” he says. “My role in Gangaajal did not have much to do with a cop’s personal life but Khakee is different. The character in Gangaajal believed in a different set of values than my Khakee character so there is no question of anyone drawing parallels between the two,”he adds.
Khakee is a multi-starrer with an impressive array of actors ranging from Amitabh Bachchan to Tusshar Kapoor starring in it. So far, Ajay has shown no reservations against roles in multistarrers or two-hero films when other actors categorically shy away from them. He says, “As long as I am sure of what I am doing and the character is well-defined, I have no problems.” Although he remains tightlipped about his role in the film, he says, “I think our present-day films are more authentic when it comes to portraying cops. In the earlier days, it was more playing to the gallery.” The conversation moves on to his co-stars. This is Ajay’s fourth film with Amitabh Bachchan after Major Saab,Hindustan Ki Kasam and Hum Kisise Kum Nahi.”Its been great working with Amitji this time around too. We share a good rapport and are very comfortable with each other. And mark my words,”, he says seriously,”If Amitji defined playing cop way back then with films like Zanjeer in the seventies, he is going to redefine it all over again with Khakee in 2003.” He mentions that it was good working with Akshay Kumar again and Aishwarya, both of whom he has previously teamed up with. “Tusshar Kapoor is also a very sweet guy. He is going to be the surprise packet of the film. Watch out for him,” he remarks.
An in-demand choreographer comes up to greet him and Ajay exchanges the usual pleasantries with him, also praising a recent number choreographed by him. The brief meeting over, he turns his attention back to the tete- a- tete and says,”I am a very lazy actor. I dont think about the scene or my nuances once the shot is over.” How does he separate Devgan the actor from Devgan the person? “I just switch off effectively,” he says.” I dont know all this spontaneity or method acting jargon . When I am in the middle of the scene all I think of is the character, and when I walk away I manage to shrug off my on-screen persona.”Speaking of on-screen personae Raj Kumar Santhoshi had given Ajay one of the best roles of his career in Legend Of Bhagat Singh. The actor had also earlier appeared in a cameo in Lajja. Devgan emphasises that he has built up a very comfortable working environment with the director whom he holds in high esteem.