Shah Rukh Khan is neither my friend nor my enemy; I respect him for what he is-Ajay Devgn
7:58 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; August 1, 2014)
Ajay Devgn, playing Bajirao
Singham in Rohit Shetty's Singham Returns, may be considered a hero by
many Indians, but his real life Singham is only his father. Over a
cup of coffee while shooting his upcoming song Aata Majhi Satakli with
Yo Yo Honey Singh at Filmistan studio, he tells us why he believes that
anyone who listens to his heart and does the right thing can make a
difference and become a Singham. Excerpts:
Who is your Singham in real life?
The Singham in my life can only be my father. Because he is a man who came to Bombay at that point in time with Rs 4 in his pocket, wanting to become something, struggled, washed and lived in taxis so he could live here, did not eat food for eight days at times, worked so hard, became a street fighter from there till Mr Ravi Khanna saw him one day asking him whether he would become a fight director. From there, his growth from nowhere to become India's topmost action director is remarkable. I have seen him getting so much respect that some of the biggest actors would touch his feet, wanting to work with him. By the time I was born, he had enough money. As a kid and being an action director's son, I still had the same lifestyle I have today, including owning a Mercedes. He has 50 stitches in his head and has broken every bone in his body. Today he is suffering from a mental disorder because of all that action he has done. So no one else can be my Singham.
What does it mean to be a Singham?
A Singham is someone who follows his heart and does the right thing. Being a Singham means to be able to stand up for others. It is somebody which everybody can be and should be. Each one of us can bring small changes to make a difference and become a superhero. You have always stood up for your friends. I have always supported a friend without bothering about losing or gaining. That too, I learnt from my dad. I have seen him pay money to producers, as they did not have money to shoot. He would be screaming at them asking them to pay his money, but if they came to him saying, 'We don't have money to shoot tomorrow' he would land up giving them the money saying, 'Achcha yeh lekar jaa and when the shooting is finished, give me my payment too.' I have learnt from him to stand up for what I think is right. Whatever little my success today in my life has been on my terms. Today there is no one who can get up and claim that we have made Ajay Devgn even though I have worked from the smallest to the biggest producers over 25 years in the industry.
Why don't you ever do shows?
I don't think it is my job. And what I don't like doing, I don't do. I want to be able to tell my children when they grow up that whatever I have done in my life, I have done it on my own terms and conditions and you need to do the same. I need to set an example for them just as my father set for me.
Are you different from your father as a father yourself?
He has helped so many people. He is so hard from the outside and, but so soft from the inside and I used to be petrified of him till when I was 18. He was strict about a few things and my mother would help cover up for me. He never hit me, but just the fear of his presence was enough. As compared to him as a father, I am a softy but even I, when I have to be stern, I can, though I am not a strict father like him. I have just started applying that with my daughter as she is now 11 and there are some rules that I am trying to set now as I have to strike a balance between what she wants and what can be given to her. With kids, it's always tough to balance as they are natural rebels. Between Kajol and me, she is more strict. So I have to usually sort out things and I keep getting calls.
Which of your dad's qualities have you imbibed?
Today the kind of respect I have with the people I work with is not because I am an actor or a star. But it's only because they know that I will always be there for them whenever they are in trouble be it monetary or otherwise. People I work with and my friends know that they can depend on me. Also like my dad, when I decide to do something, I will do it. I am ziddi and don't regret it. In fact, I never regret whatever I do. I used to always resent my father being strict with us and him being a disciplinarian, but today that has made me. It's a ritual for me that if he is awake when I go home, I will go and hug him.
What is your relationship with Shah Rukh Khan today?
The media pitched us as enemies, but the fact is that we have never been friends. But that does not make us enemies. Have you ever seen us fighting? Neither Shah Rukh nor I have ever said things about each other in print. Our relationship has always been only cordial. He is still neither my friend nor my enemy, but I respect him for what he is. He is also a very hard-working guy which is why he is where he is.
------------------------------
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; August 1, 2014)
The first instalment in the Singham franchise did well. What’s new this time around?
The central character is similar and the way he operates is also similar. But in Singham Returns, we have kept the character a lot more real; here he gets beaten up as well. It’s easy for him to operate in a small city, but to get things done in Mumbai is a bigger problem. Achieving a solution here is that much more difficult, but he does what is expected of him.
What was it like to play a Mumbai police officer?
Our aim was to show the cops in a good light. It’s not just my role; there are other actors who are playing cops in the film and they all play positive characters in the film. We have also highlighted their problems.
Do you think real-life cops get inspired by on-screen cops’ style and mannerisms?
Yes, I have seen that happen; it’s nice. Today, we see a new breed of cops — they speak good English, their attitude towards work is different. Fifteen years ago, when you went to the police station, they were not easily approachable. But today, that’s not the case; they are more than willing to hear your problems and they show empathy.
You have been associated with the Mumbai police for a long time...
Well, they seem to have a lot of respect for me and my work; it does makes me feel good about myself. This is another reason why I try not to break any law because I don’t want to be in a situation where a man, who’s played Singham and has campaigned for the Mumbai police, is found on the wrong side of the law. I don’t want to be caught doing anything wrong — not even something like drinking and driving. Ten years ago, I’d have probably broken the law, but today I wouldn’t do it. In fact, I was the first one to get rid of tinted windows and the Mumbai police gave me a letter of appreciation for the same.
If you were to work for the Mumbai police, what are the things that you’d change in the city?
Working for the police is easier said than done. It’s a really difficult job; one needs to know and understand the city’s problems. Only then can I answer this question.
Who is your Singham in real life?
The Singham in my life can only be my father. Because he is a man who came to Bombay at that point in time with Rs 4 in his pocket, wanting to become something, struggled, washed and lived in taxis so he could live here, did not eat food for eight days at times, worked so hard, became a street fighter from there till Mr Ravi Khanna saw him one day asking him whether he would become a fight director. From there, his growth from nowhere to become India's topmost action director is remarkable. I have seen him getting so much respect that some of the biggest actors would touch his feet, wanting to work with him. By the time I was born, he had enough money. As a kid and being an action director's son, I still had the same lifestyle I have today, including owning a Mercedes. He has 50 stitches in his head and has broken every bone in his body. Today he is suffering from a mental disorder because of all that action he has done. So no one else can be my Singham.
What does it mean to be a Singham?
A Singham is someone who follows his heart and does the right thing. Being a Singham means to be able to stand up for others. It is somebody which everybody can be and should be. Each one of us can bring small changes to make a difference and become a superhero. You have always stood up for your friends. I have always supported a friend without bothering about losing or gaining. That too, I learnt from my dad. I have seen him pay money to producers, as they did not have money to shoot. He would be screaming at them asking them to pay his money, but if they came to him saying, 'We don't have money to shoot tomorrow' he would land up giving them the money saying, 'Achcha yeh lekar jaa and when the shooting is finished, give me my payment too.' I have learnt from him to stand up for what I think is right. Whatever little my success today in my life has been on my terms. Today there is no one who can get up and claim that we have made Ajay Devgn even though I have worked from the smallest to the biggest producers over 25 years in the industry.
Why don't you ever do shows?
I don't think it is my job. And what I don't like doing, I don't do. I want to be able to tell my children when they grow up that whatever I have done in my life, I have done it on my own terms and conditions and you need to do the same. I need to set an example for them just as my father set for me.
Are you different from your father as a father yourself?
He has helped so many people. He is so hard from the outside and, but so soft from the inside and I used to be petrified of him till when I was 18. He was strict about a few things and my mother would help cover up for me. He never hit me, but just the fear of his presence was enough. As compared to him as a father, I am a softy but even I, when I have to be stern, I can, though I am not a strict father like him. I have just started applying that with my daughter as she is now 11 and there are some rules that I am trying to set now as I have to strike a balance between what she wants and what can be given to her. With kids, it's always tough to balance as they are natural rebels. Between Kajol and me, she is more strict. So I have to usually sort out things and I keep getting calls.
Which of your dad's qualities have you imbibed?
Today the kind of respect I have with the people I work with is not because I am an actor or a star. But it's only because they know that I will always be there for them whenever they are in trouble be it monetary or otherwise. People I work with and my friends know that they can depend on me. Also like my dad, when I decide to do something, I will do it. I am ziddi and don't regret it. In fact, I never regret whatever I do. I used to always resent my father being strict with us and him being a disciplinarian, but today that has made me. It's a ritual for me that if he is awake when I go home, I will go and hug him.
What is your relationship with Shah Rukh Khan today?
The media pitched us as enemies, but the fact is that we have never been friends. But that does not make us enemies. Have you ever seen us fighting? Neither Shah Rukh nor I have ever said things about each other in print. Our relationship has always been only cordial. He is still neither my friend nor my enemy, but I respect him for what he is. He is also a very hard-working guy which is why he is where he is.
------------------------------
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; August 1, 2014)
The first instalment in the Singham franchise did well. What’s new this time around?
The central character is similar and the way he operates is also similar. But in Singham Returns, we have kept the character a lot more real; here he gets beaten up as well. It’s easy for him to operate in a small city, but to get things done in Mumbai is a bigger problem. Achieving a solution here is that much more difficult, but he does what is expected of him.
What was it like to play a Mumbai police officer?
Our aim was to show the cops in a good light. It’s not just my role; there are other actors who are playing cops in the film and they all play positive characters in the film. We have also highlighted their problems.
Do you think real-life cops get inspired by on-screen cops’ style and mannerisms?
Yes, I have seen that happen; it’s nice. Today, we see a new breed of cops — they speak good English, their attitude towards work is different. Fifteen years ago, when you went to the police station, they were not easily approachable. But today, that’s not the case; they are more than willing to hear your problems and they show empathy.
You have been associated with the Mumbai police for a long time...
Well, they seem to have a lot of respect for me and my work; it does makes me feel good about myself. This is another reason why I try not to break any law because I don’t want to be in a situation where a man, who’s played Singham and has campaigned for the Mumbai police, is found on the wrong side of the law. I don’t want to be caught doing anything wrong — not even something like drinking and driving. Ten years ago, I’d have probably broken the law, but today I wouldn’t do it. In fact, I was the first one to get rid of tinted windows and the Mumbai police gave me a letter of appreciation for the same.
If you were to work for the Mumbai police, what are the things that you’d change in the city?
Working for the police is easier said than done. It’s a really difficult job; one needs to know and understand the city’s problems. Only then can I answer this question.
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