Ajay Devgn's Interview For Aakrosh

October 13, 2010 (Showbiz PR Wire): He is on a roll, both professionally and personally. While Raajneeti brought him the appreciation, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge got him the laughs. He also recently became a proud father again, this time to a baby boy. If his next film, Big Screen Entertainer’s Aakrosh is around the corner, his laughter-brand, Golmaal 3 returns this festive season. We are talking about one of the most versatile and talented actors we have, Ajay Devgn.

Ajay’s next Aakrosh has him teaming up with director Priyadarshan for the first time. The film, inspired by an Times of India article on honour killings has Ajay sharing screen space with Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal and Bipasha Basu.

Over to the powerhouse of talent, Ajay who is gung-ho about his latest release to hit cinemas on October 15.

Congratulations on being a father again…

Thank you.

You seem to be on a high with both your films and on the personal front…

Absolutely. It feels good. I am happy about my films which have already released and the ones that are due, especially Aakrosh and Golmaal. Yes, becoming a father the second time is a great feeling too.

This is the first time you are doing a film with Priyadarshan…

Yes, and I must say it’s one of his best works. It’s an action-thriller. I think, Priyadarshan is more remembered for his comedies though I personally feel he has had some good intense films like Virasat and Gardish. So seeing him tackle a serious issue like honour killings was good and as I said, the film has turned out very well and certainly one of his best works. The experience of working with him was fantastic.

Tell us something about the character you play.

I play a CBI officer, Pratap Singh, who is given the task to solve a case of three missing Delhi University students in a village in Bihar. But then it’s not that simple and straight as it seems and as we uncover the case in the face of angry locals and a corrupt local police officer, we realize there is more than meets the eye. The film deals with honour killings.

What is your take on honour killings?

It’s the same as you or any other educated person has. Who gives anyone a right to kill someone? It just can’t be encouraged. It just cannot and should not be encouraged. It can’t be a solution or punishment for two people in love.

You are working with Akshaye Khanna after a long time…

Yes, the last time we did a film together was Deewangee where my role was negative to his positive one. In this, however, he heads the CBI team and is in charge of the entire investigation. It’s good to work with him and it never felt that so much time had passed. Akshaye is very reserved, is not very media savvy just like me and likes to go into hiding after every film. But that’s the way he likes to function.

Since the film is on honour killings, how possessive are you about your sisters or the women in your family?

I am protective yes like any other brother would but possessive, no! I believe everyone is mature enough to make decisions and one can’t force people to do something against their wishes. There can be no valid reason to kill someone!

Your next is Golmaal and going by the zany promos, it looks to be a fun ride.

Absolutely. It’s bigger, better and funnier and a perfect festival bonanza for the audience.

Doesn’t it get difficult to come up with a funny script each time especially when with every sequel, the expectations rise multi-fold?

Yes, making comedies is a difficult job, especially for the writers and as you said, meeting expectations is another thing. But then you try to make it all come together, put together a good fun script and make it entertaining and then hope it works.

Do you see the Golmaal brand getting bigger with every passing year?

(Smiles) Well, I hope so and I would love it to grow with every film.

Finally, you are one of the very few actors who’s done films in all the genres and successfully so. What do you attribute this to?

People’s love and appreciation for sure and I guess, my acting skills, scripts and good directors. It definitely feels good to entertain audiences with different kind of films. As an actor, I strive to do justice to whatever film I choose to act in and when it is received and appreciated well, the feeling is good, of contentment and satisfaction. I feel fortunate to be loved by people in all kinds of films. My directors too have shown that trust in me so that’s one important reason.

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-StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto