Ajay Devgn: Singham turns 44

It is Bollywood's multi-talented actor Ajay Devgn's birthday today and we take you through a pictorial journey of his life.

Ajay Devgn was born on April 2, 1969 in New Delhi. His real name is Vishal Veeru Devgan.

Ajay's father, Veeru Devgn, is a stunt choreographer and his mother, Veena, has produced the film Dil Kya Kare. Anil Devgn, his brother, is a director.

Ajay is a graduate of Mumbai's Bappu School and Mithibai College.

Ajay and actress Kajol began what was considered an unlikely romance in 1994. On February 23, 1999, the couple married in a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony at Ajay's home. Kajol quit her hugely successful career, prompting wide-spread criticism.

The couple have a nine-year-old daughter named Nysa and a three-year-old son named Yug.

Ajay Devgn made his film debut with Phool Aur Kaante (1991), in which he played the son of Amrish Puri. His performance won him a Filmfare Best Debut Award.

Among the many action films of Ajay's early career was Ek Hi Raasta opposite Raveena Tandon.

Ajay then shifted focus to comedy films, such as Ishq in 1997, which also featured Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and future wife Kajol.

In 1999, Ajay starred in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha opposite Kajol, one of the biggest hits of that year.

Then came Mahesh Bhatt's Zakhm, the film that won him his first National Award for Best Actor.

Ajay saw further success in 1999 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali cast him opposite Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai for the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which was a critical and commercial success. Ajay's performance in the film earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Filmfare.

Ajay went on to be recognised for his association with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, resulting in several successful projects. In 2002, the drama Company earned him his second Star Screen Award Best Actor.

Then came Rajkumar Santoshi's The Legend of Bhagat Singh which won him his second National Award for Best Actor.

In 2004, Ajay starred in several critically-acclaimed films, including Mani Ratnam's Yuva and Rituparno Ghosh's Raincoat.

In 2006, he played the title role in Vishal Bharadwaj's critically acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, titled Omkara. The film also featured Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles.

Golmaal was Ajay Devgn's second movie to release in 2006. A comedy directed by Rohit Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Tusshar Kapoor also played important roles in the film. Golmaal got positive reviews and turned out to be a surprise hit at the box office.

In 2007, Ajay was seen in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, a remake of the classic Sholay. The film was a major failure, critically as well as commercially.

Ajay's first 2008 release, Halla Bol, was not a box office success, but his performance won appreciation from critics.

Ajay turned director with U, Me Aur Hum in 2008, in which he featured opposite his wife Kajol. The film received positive reviews and was moderately successful.

In 2010 came Prakash Jha's Rajneeti. A political thriller, the film saw actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Manoj Bajpai, Arjun Rampal, Naseeruddin Shah and Nana Patekar in pivotal roles. Ajay's performance in the movie was well received by critics and the film was declared a blockbuster.

In the same year Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai was released and became one of the top grossers of the year 2010. Ajay was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie.

At the end of the year, he reunited with director Rohit Shetty for his sequel to the 2008 release, Golmaal Returns.

Ajay Devgn's 2011 film Singham, opposite Southern siren Kajal Aggarwal, earned him the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Best Actor In Leading Role.

His comic act in 2012's Bol Bachchan was well received by the audience. A Rohit Shetty film, it grossed Rs 150 crore worldwide and was declared a blockbuster.

But 2012 ended on a bitter note when Ajay took on Yash Raj Films alleging that they had used their clout to keep his film Son Of Sardaar out of theatres in favour of their own, Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Shah Rukh Khan. Ajay filed a complaint in the Competition Commission Of India (CCI) which refused to stay the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan but did order an enquiry into the matter.

Directed by Ashwini Dhir, Son of Sardar, which also features Sonakshi Sinha in the lead, was a superhit at the box office.

This year, Sajid Khan's Himmatwala, which stars Ajay Devgn and Southern siren Tamannaah in the lead, has not picked up at the box-office yet. Released on March 29, it is an official remake of the 1983 blockbuster of the same name, directed by K Raghavendra Rao starring Jeetendra and Sridevi.

Ajay Devgn will next be seen in Prakash Jha's political thriller Satyagraha, which also features Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Amrita Rao in pivotal roles.

We wish the versatile actor a very happy birthday.