DNA (May 28, 2019)

Veteran action director and filmmaker Veeru Devgan passed away yesterday morning at the age of 76 due to age-related health issues, a month before his birthday. The Bollywood senior, who suffered a cardiac arrest at home, was rushed to a suburban hospital where he breathed his last. He would have turned a year older on June 25.

In his career spanning three-and-a-half decades, Veeru had become a staple in countless Hindi films because he was the most-sought-after action director through the 70s to the 90s.

At one stage, his fee was on par with the leading men whose stunts he choreographed! Yeah, the renowned technician became a ‘legend’ in his own right.

He began his innings as an assistant action coordinator in Do Chor (1972). And, got his big break as action-director with Manoj Kumar’s Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974). Then on, he directed the thrills for several movies like Khel Khel Mein (1975), Khoon Pasina (1977), Kranti (1981), Himmatwala (1983), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Mr India (1987) and Shahenshah (1988).

Veeru ji, as he was addressed by actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Dilip Kumar, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor, went on to make a big name for himself because of the daredevil and novel stunts that he conceived in mainstream cinema.

In the ’90s, the veteran technician added one more feather to his cap. His son Ajay shot to superstardom in Kuku Kohli’s Phool Aur Kaante (1991). He also directed Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) with Ajay, Manisha Koirala and Sushmita Sen.

Today’s biggie, Rohit Shetty, started his career by assisting Veeru. When the latter received the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Zee Cine Awards (2016), an emotional Rohit said that his achievements in life were because of the solid training that he got from his guru, Veeru ji.

Recently, during his interaction with stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma, Ajay said that he became an actor because it was his father who encouraged him to do so. Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny and Bobby Deol dropped in at the Devgan residence to pay their last respects to Veeruji.

His last rites were performed at the Vile Parle crematorium last evening. Our hearts go out to the Devgans in their time of sorrow.


Kajol, Veeru Devgan and Rohit Shetty at Zee Cine Awards 2016
(From L-R) Shah Rukh Khan; Bobby and Sunny Deol; and Sanjay Dutt