It's a dream come true: Ajay Devgan
After Amir Khan, it is Ajay Devgun's turn to prove his directorial talent and versatility. It's been a long journey from being action hero in films like Jigar (1992) to comedy in Ishq (1997) to intense drama in a chain of films. Ajay looks his cool self on the eve of the release of his U Me Aur Hum. Let us see what he has to say to TWF correspondent Shoma A Chatterji
Has direction always been a part of your dreams?
As a matter of fact, it's a dream come true. To tell you the truth, my training in direction began when I was eight or nine years old. I was part of my father's technical and editorial team when he made films. Then, I happened to assist Shekhar Kapoor quite early in my career long before I made my debut in Phool Aur Kaante happened. I also got familiar with the logistics of production by creating my production banner beginning with Hindustan Ki Kasam in 1999 and Raju Chacha the next year. The fact that they bombed at the box office did not discourage me but made me wiser in choosing my directorial script and film with care so that it does well.
What drove you to direction?
I've been an actor for 16 years now and there have been the usual ups and downs with a few big hits, a few smaller ones and some super flops too. It is logical for an actor to extend himself to other areas like direction. To tell his audience a story he believes in. I had this story in my mind for a long time and then one fine morning, I just sat down and wrote it out. As I was developing the storyline into a full-fledged screenplay, I realised that the best way to tell the story was to tell it the way I wanted it to be told and who else could achieve this but me as a director? Of course, I then got other writers to collaborate on the idea and give the screenplay the right shape. After that, it was smooth sailing.
