Hiren Kotwani (DNA; June 10, 2019)

Over two years since the Diwali 2016 box-office battle with their respective films, Shivaay and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Ajay Devgn and Karan Johar called it a truce last November. Post that, Ajay shot with Kajol for Koffee With Karan and even won a luxury car for the Answer of the Season. Since then, the equation between the two has become warm and friendly.

Ajay, who confessed to having a ‘fear of going out’ and socialising, made an exception when he attended the Simmba success party hosted by Karan, who was also one of the producers of the blockbuster along with director Rohit Shetty.

Now, if Karan wants to convey anything to Ajay, he messages and calls him directly.

“That’s a major change from the time when Kajol, one of his best friends and the ‘darling of his life’, would play messenger, conveying KJo’s message to her hubby,” says a source, adding, “Now, Ajay responds to Karan like a friend and they share a pleasant equation.”

When Ajay turned 50 on April 2 this year, Karan not only wished him a ‘Very Happy Birthday’ but also praised the trailer of De De Pyaar De, which the actor launched on the same day. On his part, Ajay thanked KJo for his wishes and appreciation of the trailer.

Earlier last month, Karan, Rohit and Akshay Kumar marked the starting of their new collaboration, Sooryavanshi, by sharing a picture that also had Singham (Ajay) and Simmba (Ranveer Singh) joining the three producers.

When Veeru Devgn passed away on May 27, Karan, who was out of the country, reportedly called on Ajay and Kajol to share their grief. And post his return to the city the following day, he made it a point to visit the Devgan residence and offer condolences to his friends. Now it’s safe to say that all is indeed well between both the filmmakers.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 9, 2019)

With his upcoming home production, Tanhaji which opens in November, Ajay Devgn completes a century run at the movies. The period-drama which has Ajay as Tanaji Malusare, the unsung warrior who fought alongside Shivaji, will be his 100th film (excluding cameos, special appearances and short films). Interestingly, the film will also be his 25th release of the decade (2010-2019), which has been a memorable one with Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Golmaal 3 and Golmaal Again, Singham and Singham Returns, Bol Bachchan, Son of Sardaar, Drishyam and Raid to name a few. Ajay was only 22 when he made his debut. “I started my career without thinking about tomorrow, but when I look back, I realise that 28 years have flown past with 100 films,” he smiles.

The son of action director, Veeru Devgan, Vishal rechristened himself Ajay, as there were other actors by the name in the industry then, and exploded in Bollywood in 1991 with a split, balancing himself on two motorbikes in Phool Aur Kaante. It’s still one of the most iconic introductions for a Hindi film hero. He went on to establish himself as an action hero with stunts in films like Jigar, Dilwale, Vijaypath and Suhaag. Two years later, he switched genres with Naajayaz. “Sticking with one genre didn’t excite me as an actor I’ve challenged myself from the beginning,” he stated.

His 26th film, Zakhm, bagged him his first National Award. Four years later, in 2002, he added a second National Award for Rajkumar Santoshi's The Legend of Bhagat Singh. “The two films are close to my heart and not because of the National Awards but because they touched me. Zakhm didn’t need me to perform, I just had to feel the character. Bhagat Singh on other hand, was so inspiring, I felt small when playing the iconic character,” Ajay reminisces.

He’s never shied of experimenting, be it Company, a gangster drama, Deewangee, a psychological thriller, Masti, an adult comedy, Shivaay, an emotional action-drama or Golmaal, a laugh riot. He’s also acted in a Bhojpuri film, Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke. What’s his favourite performance? “That’s not for me to judge, I give my heart and soul to all performances so it’s like choosing between two children,” quips the actor who will have two more releases this year— Total Dhamaal and De De Pyaar De before his 100th film.

At the turn of the millennium, Ajay turned producer with the kid-friendly Raju Chacha and in 2008 made his directorial debut with U Me Aur Hum which he co-scripted. He’s also produced All The Best: Fun Begins, Bol Bachchan, Son Of Sardaar, Shivaay and Helicopter Eela and has cemented a formidable partnership with Rohit Shetty who has directed him in 10 films. "I get along well with everybody. Every director has stood by my side,” he asserts. What has kept him relevant for so long? “The day I learn that, I’ll be around for the next 50 years,” signs off Ajay who turns 50 on April 2.

MUMBAI MIRROR (April 3, 2018)

After delivering two hits in Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Again and Raj Kumar Gupta’s Raid, Ajay Devgn is on a break with actress-wife Kajol and their kids, Nysa and Yug.

The actor ushered in his 49th birthday on Monday by taking off to Paris. “Since Ajay and Kajol had a break from work and the kids are on their summer vacations, the family decided to take a break from the city to unwind... They will be in Paris for a week and are expected to return by the approaching weekend,” informs a source. Last year, the foursome had holidayed in the Maldives.

After the break, Ajay will start shooting for Luv Ranjan’s untitled next and Total Dhamaal, while Kajol will resume shooting for Pradeep Sarkar’s Eela.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 1, 2015)

Ajay Devgn, who had been shooting in Goa for Nishikant Kamat’s Drishyam, is back in the city to bring in his big day. He turns 46 tomorrow.

A source close to Devgn says, “Ajay avoids partying too much, so there will be a quiet celebration at his Juhu home with wife Kajol and children Nysa and Yug. As Nysa’s birthday is later this month (April 20), it will kickstart her birthday countdown too. The 11-year-old likes cooking, so she will help prepare some special dish for his birthday. Ajay’s sisters and close buddies will also drop in.”

The source adds that Devgn will spend some time with Kajol and the kids before he leaves for the Hyderabad schedule of Drishyam. “Kajol will also start shooting for Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale soon, but until then, it will be family time for the actor,” the source states.

Incidentally, Devgn is known to detest cutting birthday cakes. It is his kids who usually cut his birthday cake as the reclusive star does not like attention on his big day. In 2012, while shooting for Son Of Sardaar, the actor was practically forced by the crew to cut a cake on the set as it was his home production.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 1, 2014)

Ajay Devgn is taking a day off for his birthday tomorrow. The star turns 45. He avoids hosting lavish birthday bashes and prefers to have a low- key celebration with his family at home.

Says the actor’s spokesperson, “He is taking a break from Singham 2’s shoot and will spend time with the family.” It is well- known in Bollywood that Devgn suffers from cake phobia — he simply hates to cut his birthday cake. He normally makes a unit hand when he is on the sets or his children ( Nysa and Yug) cut the cake instead.

Incidentally, in 2012 when he was shooting in Patiala for Son of Sardaar, director Ashwini Dhir and the entire unit had to literally force him to cut his birthday cake.