Says actor-producer Ajay Devgn, whose film hits screens this Friday
Have you seen Wanted and Ghajini? Looks like action is back.u00a0
I am dying to see Wanted. It's just that I get very lazy watching films. And even if I do act in them, I don't agree with the length of our films, so whenever I have time, I like to catch some Hollywood film. But I do watch Hindi films, which most of the times I do while traveling. So I have not got the time to see a lot of the recent films.
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It's nothing to do with being one of those actors who say they never watch films of other actors?
No, that's not true of me. Who says that?
Shah Rukh Khan, for one.
I think it makes you secure, no? Not watching other actors' good work, then you feel you are the best.u00a0
London Dreams, which releases soon, is your second film with Salman. Why are you ignoring the other Khans?
It depends on what film and role you are offered. Also, I have not been offered films with them. There was one film that Shah Rukh and I were supposed to do together with Karan (Johar) a couple of years ago but at the last minute, the script changed and then Karan shelved it.
So you are open to working with actors in the same league as you? Because working with Tusshar, Arshad and Fardeen is not the same.
Of course, why not? I am open to working with anyone. I have never been insecure about that in my life... ever.
You were never a superstitious guy either. But now you've started wearing the arm bracelet, and now you've changed the way you spell you name.
The arm bracelet had nothing to do with superstition. They are health stones and the name change also has to do with my health. I had a terrible backache and other small health issues, but now I am better. I don't think there is any harm in trying something, even though there is no logical explanation for it. There is no logical explanation for God either, so you can't tell people, 'Okay, stop believing in God.' But if you really believe in something, try it. If it works for you, great. But you need to be realistic in your approach and not get obsessed by it. I was being told for the last 10-12 about how the spelling change would help but I was embarrassed to do it. Especially because I knew I would be asked such questions (smiles) but eventually I was forced by my mom and family, and I said, 'Fine, how does it matter? I will deal with the questions'. That's it.
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At one time, all the top heroes were in their 20s. Now the top layer is made of actors in their 40s. Comment.
I turned 40 this year. We all came at the same time, in the 90s and after that, a lot of people came in but not many survived, save one or two. The younger lot is more concerned about how they are looking, and what they should be doing. They plan too much; they think too muchu2026 their whole approach is different. We were not that insecure. We were doing any and every role. We were experimenting; we were learning and we are still there.
Maybe the new generation is so careful because the audience is no longer as forgiving as it used to be. I am not saying 'do bad work' but there is nothing wrong in experimenting. If they think they suit one particular character, they only want to do that.
Even star prices are not what they used to be in the 90s.
Prices have come down now. They'd become unrealistic a year ago, but let me tell you that most of the star prices that were quoted were highly exaggerated. Actors never got those prices; they were only for the media.
Ranbir drops a towel, John drops his pants and you also shed your shirt for a song in RGV Ki Aag. Is there something you would not do on screen?
I don't think I would be able to do anything more than losing my shirt. Also I have never done a kissing scene. I feel awkward.u00a0u00a0
Most of the actors from your generation are working with actresses in their 20s. It seems to be the secret of staying young. Aamir-Asin, SRK-Deepika, Salman-Zarina (Veer)u00a0- by that logic, you should've cast Mugdha Godse opposite yourself in ATB.
It depends on script to script. I have been working with young actresses. Like Asin in London Dreams. Anyway, which of the old heroines work today? Except Kajol, name one.
Are you afraid of getting old?
No. I am happy in fact. This year, I turned 40 and I think in every which way, I am fitter than I was at 30. My ambition is to stay fit, and get stronger and stronger. Today also, we were working out and my trainer Sheru is mad, and he really pushes me. I was doing shoulders at 140 kilos, and I am very proud of it. I couldn't do that at 30. My ambition is that at 60, I should be able to do more weights than that. If my stubble is slightly grey and if my make-up man says, 'Thoda colour karte hain', I won't. I think men look better older.
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