Vishal Virender "Ajay" Devgan (born 2 April 1969) is an Indian actor, film director and producer who mainly works in Hindi films. He has appeared in over 100 films and has won numerous accolades, including four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. In 2016, he was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour.
Devgn made his film debut with the action romance Phool Aur Kaante (1991), which established him as a leading star. He went on to star in action films such as Jigar (1992), Vijaypath (1994), Suhaag (1994), Dilwale (1994), Diljale (1996), Jaan (1996), Major Saab (1998) and Kachche Dhaage (1999), as well as romantic films including Ishq (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). His dramatic performance in Zakhm (1998) earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. In the 2000s, Devgn saw limited commercial success, but gained critical acclaim for films, including Company (2002), The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Gangaajal (2003), Khakee (2004), Raincoat (2004), Apaharan (2005) and Omkara (2006). For portraying Bhagat Singh in The Legend of Bhagat Singh, he received his second National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.
He made a comeback in 2010 with three back-to-back hits, Golmaal 3, Raajneeti and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and continued to star in several commercially successful ventures, such as Singham (2011), Bol Bachchan (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012), Singham Returns (2014), Drishyam (2015), Golmaal Again (2017), Raid (2018), Total Dhamaal (2019), Shaitaan (2024), Raid 2 (2025) and Dhamaal 4 (2026). His highest-grossing releases include Tanhaji (2020), Drishyam 2 (2022), and Drishyam: The Conclusion (2026). For playing the title role in Tanhaji, he won his third National Film Award for Best Actor. Devgn owns the production company Ajay Devgn FFilms, established in 1999. He frequently collaborates with filmmaker Rohit Shetty and is married to actress Kajol, with whom he has two children.
Early life and background
Devgn was born Vishal Virender Devgan on 2 April 1969 in New Delhi to a Punjabi Hindu family originally from Amritsar, Punjab, India. Rediff.com 31 December 2004. Accessed 30 July 2011. The family has connections to the Hindi film industry in Mumbai. Devgn's father, Virender "Veeru" Devgan, was a stunt choreographer and action-film director and his mother, Veena Devgan, is a film producer. His cousin, Anil Devgan, was a filmmaker and screenwriter. Devgn graduated from the Silver Beach High School in Juhu and then studied at Mithibai College.
Personal life
Relationships and family
Devgn began a relationship with the actress Karisma Kapoor while filming Jigar (1992), however, the couple ended their relationship in 1995. That same year, Devgn's relationship with the actress, Kajol, began whilst they were co-starring in Gundaraj (1995). India Today 22 May 2006. The media called them "an unlikely pair" due to their contrasting personalities. Rediff.com 23 March 2011. Accessed 4 June 2012. Tribune India.com 27 April 2003. Accessed 3 June 2010. On 24 February 1999, the couple married in a traditional Maharashtrian Hindu ceremony at the Devgan home.Srnivasan V. Rediff.com 25 February 1999. Accessed 4 June 2012.Bhattacharya R. Hindustan Times.com 28 February 2010. Accessed 4 June 2012. The couple has two children. Their daughter, Nysa, was born 20 April 2003 Times of India.com 20 April 2003 Accessed 4 June 2012. and their son, Yug, was born 13 September 2010. Times of India 13 September 2010. Accessed 4 June 2002. The Sunday Tribune.com, India 27 April 2003. Accessed 27 April 2003. Devgn and Kajol stored their newborn son's umbilical cord blood and tissues to act as a source of stem cells in case of serious ailment. Sawfnews.com
Religion He is a practising Shaiva Hindu who prominently wears a rudraksha which, along with other religious themes, features in his films. – Account of Religious Practices – Religious InformationGhose D. Bollywoodmantra.com 1 April 2012. Sawfnews.com Accessed 1 April 2008.Sinha S. The Times of India 1 November 2009. Accessed 21 October 2010.
Name change In August 2009, Devgn changed the spelling of his surname Devgan to Devgn, at the request of his family.
Career
Rise to prominence (1991–1999) As Devgn entered the film industry in 1991, he changed his stage name from his birth name, Vishal, to "Ajay" due to several other actors named Vishal being launched at the same time, including Manoj Kumar's son. He began his professional career alongside Madhoo in the action romance Phool Aur Kaante, which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Box Office India.com Accessed 10 January 2007Wire S. Thaindian.com Accessed 7 June 2010. Box Office India.com Accessed 10 January 2009. In his opening scene, Devgn performed a split while balancing between two motorcycles. His next film was Jigar (1992), a Bollywood martial arts film co-starring Karisma Kapoor. It was released on Diwali weekend and became the seventh-highest-grossing film of that year, taking at the box office.
In 1993, Devgn starred in Dil Hai Betaab, a film about a revengeful love triangle. He next featured in Divya Shakti and then Sangram, a story of enmity between two fathers. Box Office India.com 1993 Devgn then worked with Deepak Bahry, who directed the action film Ek Hi Raasta, and with Deepak Pawar, who directed Platform. Other releases that year were Shaktiman, Dhanwan and Bedardi.
In 1994, Devgn starred in Harry Baweja's romantic action film Dilwale. He played the part of Arun Saxena, a man with intellectual impairment. It was the tenth-highest-grossing film of the year. Box Office India.com. His next release was Kanoon and then Kuku Kohli's Suhaag with Akshay Kumar. The film was about two friends. Devgn played Ajay Sharma/Malhotra. Suhaag was the seventh-highest-grossing film of the year. His next film was Vijaypath. Shooting dates for Vijaypath clashed with those of Karan Arjun which Devgn declined. Vijaypath was the eighth-highest-grossing film of the year.
In 1995, Devgn appeared alongside Juhi Chawla in Mahesh Bhatt's Naajayaz, which earned him his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, followed by Hulchul directed by Milan Luthria, alongside Kajol. Box Office India.com. Devgn and Kajol then appeared in Gundaraj which did not perform well at the box office. His next release was Haqeeqat co-starring Tabu. This film was the eleventh-highest-grossing film of the year.
In 1996, Devgn starred in the action film Jung with Mithun Chakraborty, Rambha and Aditya Pancholi. His next release was an action movie called Jaan, Box Office India.com. with Twinkle Khanna. He then starred in Harry Baweja's film Diljale, where he played a terrorist named Shaka.
In 1997, Devgn starred in the poorly-received, Itihaas, with Twinkle Khanna. His next release was Indra Kumar's romantic comedy Ishq with Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and Kajol. In this successful film, Devgn played Ajay, a rich boy in love with a poor girl, played by Kajol. The film grossed and emerged as the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year. Box Office India.com Accessed 10 January 2007. Box Office India.com.
In 1998, Devgn starred in Major Saab with Amitabh Bachchan and Sonali Bendre where he played the character of an army officer. It was a hit and the tenth-highest-grossing film of the year. He next starred with Kajol in Anees Bazmee's second film, the romantic comedy Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of the 1995 American film French Kiss. It grossed at the box office and emerged a superhit. Devgn's next release was Mahesh Bhatt's drama Zakhm, which examines communal tension in Mumbai during the 1993 Bombay riots. Devgn played a man who is fed up with religious conflict. Devgn won several awards for his critically acclaimed performance, including the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Screen Award for Best Actor, in addition to his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
In 1999, Devgn starred in the musical romance Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, in which he played Vanraj, a man who tries to help his wife (Aishwarya Rai) reunite with her lover (Salman Khan). Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam marked a significant turning point in Devgn's career. The film, an adaptation of Maitreyi Devi's Bengali novel Na Hanyate, was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starred Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Devgn's performance received positive reviews from critics. Rediff said: "Ajay's role reminds you of one he did in another film, Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha. There he is searching for the boyfriend of the girl he secretly loves. But intense scenes are his forte and he does well here. He's particularly good in the scene where he gets exasperated with his wife's stubbornness and strives to keep his cool." The film proved to be a commercial success and earned Devgn his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. After that, he appeared in Hindustan Ki Kasam with Amitabh Bachchan and Sonali Bendre. He then worked with the director Milan Luthria in Kachche Dhaage, with Saif Ali Khan and Manisha Koirala. It was a box-office hit. He then performed in another successful film Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, a romantic comedy; and then in his home production with Kajol and director Prakash Jha, titled Dil Kya Kare. His other movies in 1999 were Gair and Thakshak in which he played a strong, silent man.
Career fluctuations and critical acclaim (2000–2009)
Devgn began the new decade with two biggies, Deewane and Raju Chacha (which he also produced). Both the films opened to mixed critical reception, but proved to be box office flops. The downturn continued in 2001 with all three of his releases, including Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, Lajja and Tera Mera Saath Rahen failing to do well commercially.
2002 proved to be a key year for Devgn as he starred in three films of contrasting genres. He first appeared in Ram Gopal Varma's Company which was a fictional examination of the Mumbai underworld. The film proved to be a moderate commercial success and Devgn's performance received critical acclaim. As Taran Adarsh reviewed: "Devgn enacts his role to perfection. A controlled performance, the actor takes to this complex character like a fish takes to water. He underplays his part with admirable ease."Adarsh T. Bollywood Hungama.com. Devgn's next release was David Dhawan's comedy Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, with Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai. Box Office India.com Accessed 10 January 2007. The same year, he played the role of Bhagat Singh, in Rajkumar Santoshi's biopic The Legend of Bhagat Singh.Jindani A. Smashits.com. His performance was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh said, "Devgn has lived the role. To state that he is excellent would be an understatement. His performance is bound to win admiration from audience, besides fetching awards."Adarsh T. Bollywood Hungama.com. The film was released on 7 June 2002 and went on to win two National Film Awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and three Filmfare Awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). Despite these awards, and Devgn winning his second National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance, the film was a box office disaster. Devgn then went on to perform in Anees Bazmee's Deewangee which was partially inspired by William Diehl's novel, Primal Fear. He jointly won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics) for his performance in Company and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, in addition to receiving his fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the former. For his performance in Deewangee, he received several awards including the Filmfare Award for Best Villain, the Screen Award for Best Villain and the Zee Cine Award for Best Villain.