Ajay Devgn is a no-nonsense man. Before the start of the interview he warned us to not ask anything about Shivay and said that he will talk about it when he is ready. Not that it makes us any less curious to know about his latest recee in the freezing weather of Canada, which marks our first question:
We saw pictures of you doing a recee for Shivay in Canada. You seem to be enjoying wearing the director’s hat once again…
(Smiles) It was a very extreme condition - 350 Celsius.
With such a long career in movies, are you happy with your stardom? Do you feel it could have been different?
No, I am very happy. This is how I am and this is how I wanted to live and I have lived my life on my own terms and conditions. I have always done what I have wanted to do. Work is in its place, and it’s creative and entertaining, but if you can succeed on your terms that is the biggest success I think.
But aren’t there pressures? Today, actors do so much to promote their films, but you’re still maintaining your own style and pace to reach out...
Not just promotions, everything else. For instance, people ask me why don’t I do shows abroad. I don’t believe in doing them, so I don’t. If I don’t like it, I don’t do it, and that’s what I want my children to learn.
Do you have any pre-conditions about what you won’t do in your films?
Yes, I wouldn’t like to do films that are vulgar, or films that you can’t watch with your children. I had decided that earlier and still stick to it.
What are the kind of film shoots you hate doing?
There’s nothing that I hate doing but yes, I hate dancing.
Action Jackson is also a lot about Ajay-Prabhu Deva dancing, which you generally shy away from…
Yes, but it depends who you are comfortable with. Prabhu made me feel very comfortable.
Is it otherwise difficult for directors to convince you to wear your dancing shoes?
Prabhu studied my body language and gave me some creative and new steps. It’s very innovative, the way he has done it. The steps were comfortable for me and suited my personality.
What’s the pressure like when your previous film (in this case Singham Returns) is a blockbuster?
I don’t have that pressure. I only want people to watch the film and enjoy themselves. Prabhu has shot this film in a very stylish manner. There’s comedy, the kind you have not seen before. Also, he has presented me in one of my best avatars. He knows how to present his actors.
Will your movies always be about your strengths or will we also get to see movies that have scope for the heroines to perform as well?
It depends from script to script. If there is a very strong girl’s role, why not? I would love to do something where the role is balanced or if it is a great cameo.
