Happy Birthday, Ajay Devgn. Pride Of India@51

Actor Ajay Devgn turns a year older today. He is one of those Bollywood stars who have forayed into multiple genres of films and have successfully managed to please the audience. He's had his fans in splits over his comic roles in films like Bol Bachchan and the Golmaal series. He has proved to be a worthy villain in films like Khakee and Deewangee and has delivered acclaimed performances in films like Raincoat and Yuva. As Ajay celebrates his 51st birthday today, here's a pictorial look at his life so far.

  • Actor Ajay Devgn turns a year older today. He is one of those Bollywood stars who have forayed into multiple genres of films and have successfully managed to please the audience. He's had his fans in splits over his comic roles in films like <i>Bol Bachchan</i> and the <i>Golmaal</i> series. He has proved to be a worthy villain in films like <i>Khakee</I> and <I>Deewangee</I> and has delivered acclaimed performances in films like <I>Raincoat</I> and <I>Yuva</I>. As Ajay celebrates his 51st birthday today, here's a pictorial look at his life so far.
    Actor Ajay Devgn turns a year older today. He is one of those Bollywood stars who have forayed into multiple genres of films and have successfully managed to please the audience. He's had his fans in splits over his comic roles in films like Bol Bachchan and the Golmaal series. He has proved to be a worthy villain in films like Khakee and Deewangee and has delivered acclaimed performances in films like Raincoat and Yuva. As Ajay celebrates his 51st birthday today, here's a pictorial look at his life so far.
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  • Ajay Devgn, real name Vishal, was born on April 2, 1969 in New Delhi.
    Ajay Devgn, real name Vishal, was born on April 2, 1969 in New Delhi.
  • Ajay's father, Veeru Devgn, was a stunt choreographer and director and his mother, Veena, produced the film <i>Dil Kya Kare</i>. Anil Devgn, his brother, is a director.
    Ajay's father, Veeru Devgn, was a stunt choreographer and director and his mother, Veena, produced the film Dil Kya Kare. Anil Devgn, his brother, is a director.
  • Ajay and actress Kajol began what was considered an unlikely romance in 1994. On February 24, 1999, the couple married in a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony at Ajay's home. Kajol quit her successful career, prompting wide-spread criticism.
    Ajay and actress Kajol began what was considered an unlikely romance in 1994. On February 24, 1999, the couple married in a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony at Ajay's home. Kajol quit her successful career, prompting wide-spread criticism.
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  • The couple have a daughter named Nysa and a son named Yug.
    The couple have a daughter named Nysa and a son named Yug.
  • Ajay Devgn made his film debut with <i>Phool Aur Kaante</i> (1991), which won him Filmfare's Best Debut Award.
    Ajay Devgn made his film debut with Phool Aur Kaante (1991), which won him Filmfare's Best Debut Award.
  • Among the many action films of Ajay's early career was <i>Ek Hi Raasta</i> opposite Raveena Tandon.
    Among the many action films of Ajay's early career was Ek Hi Raasta opposite Raveena Tandon.
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  • Ajay then shifted focus to romantic comedies, such as <i>Ishq</i> in 1997, which also featured Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and future wife Kajol.
    Ajay then shifted focus to romantic comedies, such as Ishq in 1997, which also featured Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and future wife Kajol.
  • In 1999, Ajay starred in <i>Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha</i> opposite Kajol, which was one of the biggest hits of that year.
    In 1999, Ajay starred in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha opposite Kajol, which was one of the biggest hits of that year.
  • Then came Mahesh Bhatt's <i>Zakhm</i>, which earned him his first National Award for Best Actor.
    Then came Mahesh Bhatt's Zakhm, which earned him his first National Award for Best Actor.
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  • Ajay saw further success in 1999 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali cast him with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai for the film <i>Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,</i> which was a critical and commercial success. Ajay's performance in the film earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Filmfare Awards.
    Ajay saw further success in 1999 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali cast him with 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 Awards.
  • Ajay went on to form a notable partnership with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, resulting in several successful projects. In 2002, the drama <i>Company</i> earned him his second Star Screen Award for Best Actor.
    Ajay went on to form a notable partnership with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, resulting in several successful projects. In 2002, the drama Company earned him his second Star Screen Award for Best Actor.
  • Then came Rajkumar Santoshi's <i>The Legend of Bhagat Singh</i> which won him his second National Award for 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 <i>Yuva</i> and Rituparno Ghosh's <i>Raincoat</i>.
    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 Bhardwaj's critically acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, titled <i>Omkara</i>. The film also featured Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles.
    In 2006, he played the title role in Vishal Bhardwaj's critically acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, titled Omkara. The film also featured Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles.
  • <i>Golmaal</i> was Ajay Devgn's second movie to release in 2006. The comedy directed by Rohit Shetty also starred Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Tusshar Kapoor. Golmaal got positive reviews and turned out to be a surprise hit at the box office.
    Golmaal was Ajay Devgn's second movie to release in 2006. The comedy directed by Rohit Shetty also starred Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Tusshar Kapoor. Golmaal got positive reviews and turned out to be a surprise hit at the box office.
  • In 2007, Ajay was seen in <i>Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag</i., a remake of the classic <i>Sholay</i>. The film was a major failure, critically as well as commercially.
    In 2007, Ajay was seen in Ram Gopal Varma Ki AagSholay. The film was a major failure, critically as well as commercially.
  • Ajay's first 2008 release, <i>Halla Bol</i>, was not a box office success, but his performance won praise from critics.
    Ajay's first 2008 release, Halla Bol, was not a box office success, but his performance won praise from critics.
  • Ajay turned director with <i>U, Me Aur Hum</i> in 2008, in which he featured opposite his wife Kajol. The film received positive reviews and was moderately successful.
    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 <i>Rajneeti</i>. 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 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 <i>Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai</i> 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.
    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.
  • Ajay Devgn's 2011 film <i>Singham</i>, opposite Southern siren Kajal Aggarwal, earned him the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Best Actor In Leading Role.
    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 <i>Bol Bachchan</i> was well received by the audience. A Rohit Shetty film, it grossed Rs 150 crores worldwide and was declared a blockbuster.
    His comic act in 2012's Bol Bachchan was well received by the audience. A Rohit Shetty film, it grossed Rs 150 crores 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 <i>Son Of Sardar</i> out of theatres in favour of their own, <i>Jab Tak Hai Jaan</i> starring Shah Rukh Khan. Ajay filed a complaint with the Competition Commission Of India (CCI) which refused to stay the release of <i>Jab Tak Hai Jaan</i> but did order an enquiry into the matter.
    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 Sardar out of theatres in favour of their own, Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Shah Rukh Khan. Ajay filed a complaint with 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.
  • In 2013, Sajid Khan's <i>Himmatwala</i>, in which Ajay Devgn starred opposite Southern siren Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead, proved to be a box office dud. His second release of the year Prakash Jha's political thriller <i>Satyagraha</i>. The film also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Amrita Rao in pivotal roles.
    In 2013, Sajid Khan's Himmatwala, in which Ajay Devgn starred opposite Southern siren Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead, proved to be a box office dud. His second release of the year Prakash Jha's political thriller Satyagraha. The film also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Amrita Rao in pivotal roles.
  • Between the success of Singham Returns and failure of <i>Action Jackson</i>, 2014 was a mixed year for Ajay.
    Between the success of Singham Returns and failure of Action Jackson, 2014 was a mixed year for Ajay.
  • Ajay Devgn's <i>Drishyam</i>, co-starring Shriya Saran received much critical acclaim as it opened in July 2015.
    Ajay Devgn's Drishyam, co-starring Shriya Saran received much critical acclaim as it opened in July 2015.
  • In 2016, Ajay Devgn directed, produced and starred in <i>Shivaay</i> which co-starred Sayyeshaa Saigal and Erika Kaar. The film lost the box office battle to Karan Johar's <I>Ae Dil Hai Mushkil</I> which released simultaneously.
    In 2016, Ajay Devgn directed, produced and starred in Shivaay which co-starred Sayyeshaa Saigal and Erika Kaar. The film lost the box office battle to Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil which released simultaneously.
  • In 2017, Ajay Devgn was seen in Rohit Shetty's <I>Golmaal 4</I> with Tabu and Parineeti Chopra as additions in the previous cast and in Milan Luthria's <I>Baadshaho</I> co-starring Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D'Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammwal.
    In 2017, Ajay Devgn was seen in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal 4 with Tabu and Parineeti Chopra as additions in the previous cast and in Milan Luthria's Baadshaho co-starring Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D'Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammwal.
  • In 2018, Ajay Devgn starred in Raj Kumar Gupta's <I>Raid</I>, which was critically and commercially successful. In the same in year, he produced <I>Helicopter Eela</I> starring Kajol. He was also seen in a cameo in Ranveer Singh's <I>Simmba</I>, directed by Rohit Shetty.
    In 2018, Ajay Devgn starred in Raj Kumar Gupta's Raid, which was critically and commercially successful. In the same in year, he produced Helicopter Eela starring Kajol. He was also seen in a cameo in Ranveer Singh's Simmba, directed by Rohit Shetty.
  • 2019 started on a fabulous note for Ajay Devgn with the release of Indra Kumar's <i>Total Dhamaal</i>. The film also starred Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi. He also starred in <i>De De Pyaar De</i>, alongside Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh.
    2019 started on a fabulous note for Ajay Devgn with the release of Indra Kumar's Total Dhamaal. The film also starred Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi. He also starred in De De Pyaar De, alongside Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh.
  • In 2020, Ajay Devgn starred in Om Raut's <i>Taanaji - The Unsung Warrior</i>, co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. He has also signed up for SS Rajamouli's <i>RRR </i>which also stars Ram Charan, JR NTR and Alia Bhatt. The actor also has <i>Bhuj: The Pride Of India</i> and <i>Maidaan</i>, in the pipeline.
    In 2020, Ajay Devgn starred in Om Raut's Taanaji - The Unsung Warrior, co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. He has also signed up for SS Rajamouli's RRR which also stars Ram Charan, JR NTR and Alia Bhatt. The actor also has Bhuj: The Pride Of India and Maidaan, in the pipeline.
  • Here's wishing him a very happy birthday and a wonderful year ahead!
    Here's wishing him a very happy birthday and a wonderful year ahead!