Challenging the Khans

I am well aware that the nation is crazy about the khans who pretty much rule it. I totally love Aamir, Shahrukh and even Salman. But as a movie enthusiast, I feel a part of the kingdom should also fairly belong to some others like Ajay Devgn.

As an actor, Ajay has a deep intensity, if not deeper, than Guru Dutt and wickedness as malicious as the big bad boys of Bollywood. There is something about him that strikes as uber genuine - his eyes. The reason I choose to talk about it is that NRIs here either love the yesteryear heroes or blindly follow the Khans. What fails me is why some brilliant actors like Ajay hardly get their due.

I have had the chance to interview him quite a few times. Each time he seemed shy and grounded. It almost felt like he has a very little idea of how brilliant he is. Maybe its his humble looks or his even humbler beginning. Whatever it is, it makes me to declare myself a fan and trust me, I don’t get smitten so easily.

There has been others in the past who have challenged the Khans and their positioning in the industry. Akshay Kumar is one fine example of that. In my opinion, it is easier to do one movie a year and churn it to be hit than do 4 different types of movies and keep them above the water. Last year, he had 7 releases and most were hits. In fact, out of the top 10 highest grossing movies of 2010, three of his films made it easily to the list. The truth is that when you do one movie a year and stay hidden from the media, the audiences watch your movie out of curiosity more than anything. I am not questioning the status of the khans, in fact I am accepting that their persona is so grand that most of the times, it overshadows that character they portray.

But I don’t seem to know Ajay Devgn at all. All I see, whenever I see him, is a character he portrays. That, according to me, is a mark of a good actor. I think Ajay has secretly kept mellow so that his image doesn't clash with the role he is playing.

Last year, he was equally believable in Rajneeti or Once Upon a Time in Mumbai as he was in Dil to Bachcha Hai Ji and Golmaal Series. Just because actors like him don't blow their own trumpets, does not mean its not worth blowing.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The Sunday Indian.)