Hindi cinema has taken a huge leap in last one decade in terms of scale, budget, marketing and obviously the box office collections. With emergence of multi-screen culture, 3D-4D & IMAX options, technology is driving the industry to new heights. The 100 crores club is common thing for a successful project and 200-300 crores club is the new phenomenon of mega success. Movies grossing significantly overseas and generating handsome amount for satellite rights has added to the charm. The general parameter for success for an actor is usually measured in term of significant impact of role, critic review and winning prestigious awards like national award or critic awards. Similarly the star status for actors is determined by box office collections, bankability of actor to draw audience with his/her mere presence and ability to entertain masses.
If I ask you to name top contemporary film stars or some top actors from hindi cinema, it is pretty sure people will list down Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay kumar or may be Hritik Roshan. Few might apply the star and actor difference logic and may name acting sensation of today Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irrfan Khan or might list down the young charming actors like Ranveer Singh or Ranbir Kapoor.
But did this name come to your mind about an actor who is been performing significantly brilliantly in all the departments with great success for over two decades without actually drawing the glittery attention. Well without any doubt this most humble and grounded star with two national awards and various critic awards and many block busters is none other than Ajay Devgn.
It is hardly debatable that Ajay Devgn is one of the most underrated actors of this generation. Born as Vishal Devgan, to famous stunt master of Hindi cinema Veeru Devgan , he was inclined to cinema from early age and made his onscreen debut in lead role with super hit Phool aur kaante in 1991 at young age of 21 years and won the Filmfare debutant award for it.
Considered as a gifted performer by many with intense eyes, Ajay has been a bankable star and has been performing the variety of roles throughout his career. He took up the roles which were considered mainly for art cinema during 90’s and gave few commercial as well as critically hit performances. Never afraid to go unconventional, Ajay played negative roles and glorified antagonists in Hindi cinema. His vicious negative display in Khakee overshadowed performance of legendary actor Mr. Amitabh Bachhan .
Hardly anyone in contemporary cinema played the shades which Ajay has opted during his career. Starting from Zakhm in 1998 for which he won National award, he went on to play unorthodox roles with memorable performances in movies like Hum dil de chuke sanam, kachche Dhaage, Lajja,Company (won filmfare critics award), The legend of Bhagat Singh (won National Award), Deewangee (won Filmfare Negative role), Gangaajal, Khakee, Raincoat, Kal Apaharan, Golmaal, Singham, Omkara, Drishayam and the iconic performance in Once upon a time in Mumbai.
He is been entertaining audience in all the genres like action, comedy, drama and core intensity for years He is a successful producer and an acclaimed director as well and will be returning as a director with must awaited Shivay this year. Ajay devgn has undoubtedly created a niche for himself, which positions him in the top league.