Actor Ajay Devgn has gone the whole hog to make sure he is on top of the game this Diwali. If sending a legal notice to Yash Raj films was not enough to keep him in the news, the Son Of Sardar actor is now also on the cover of GQ (India) magazine.
Read some excerpts from his interview with Rajeev Masand:
You've been working in the industry for over two decades. People say it has really changed. Has it?
Today it's more corporate and professional, which is both good and bad. It's bad because the warmth is missing. There was a time when an actor could walk on to another actor's set, stop shooting for a couple of hours and just sit and chat. Now it's become a bit too professional.
You've always been shy and never really enjoyed going to –film parties and PR events. Would you call your reclusive nature a shortcoming?
Yes and no. It is a shortcoming, but I've never really wanted to change. When a film is releasing, it's an actor's job to go out and promote it. Yet, there are two kinds of actors: One yells, "Look at me, look at me!" while the other lets his work speak for itself. I belong to the latter category.
You're an actor who's delivered terrific performances and taken risks with your career. Yet now, it seems the only thing driving you is commerce. Just when experimental cinema is working, you seem to be moving away from it…
Well, I did those kinds of films before everyone else did. When I did films with Govind Nihalani, Mahesh Bhatt, Rituparno Ghosh and Vishal Bhardwaj, nobody else touched them.
I need to read something that shakes me up… I've signed Prakash Jha's Satyagraha, which is in that space. Now that I'm enjoying box office success, I'd like it to cross the 100 crore mark. I don't mind doing an experimental film, but it has to be something absolutely fabulous.
Among the younger stars you've worked with – Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi – who are you most impressed by?
Ranbir Kapoor has the most potential. I feel like he mustn't be restricted by "good" cinema, but also do commercial cinema. He's very promising; he can go places.
Do your parents look back and say you've done well for yourself?
My father has never actually told me this. He's happy for me, but if I don't work out for a few days, he'll tell me, "Dekh, tera pet bahar aa raha hai." [Laughs] He told me this just last night.
Of wine, women and wealth, what would you say is your biggest weakness?
Wine… [laughs]. I don't drink as much now, but I do have difficulty stopping once I start. As for women and wealth – well, I'm happy with what I've got.
Kumkum Bhagya
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