Ajay talks about his 41st birthday today, about fatherhood and more...

B'day boy Ajay Devgn to be daddy again

Ajay talks about his 41st birthday today, about fatherhood and more...

Ajay Devgn will be celebrating his 41st birthday in Dubai today. After six months of continuous shooting Devgn will be relaxing with wife Kajol, Nysa, his parents and sisters (along with their families). Besides his last two releasesu00a0u00a0-- All The Best and Atithi Tum Kab Jaogeu00a0-- being hits at the BO, the actor has reason to celebrateu00a0-- Kajol and he are soon to turn proud parents again. Over to the b'day boy:

What's the birthday plan this year?
I really don't celebrate my birthdays. My family likes to celebrate them and Nysa had her Easter holidays so we are all heading to Dubai. I don't even cut cakes on my birthday. I find it childish and stupid. I let the kids do the honours.

Any marked changes in you in the last few years?
No. I am the sameu00a0-- maybe only adapting with changing times. I have got more media-savvy, and become more accessible and open. Where work is concerned, I am lucky enough to have worked with some of the best directors and learnt many things from them as an actor. Now I use their techniques often when I am stuck while portraying a particular scene.

Readying for fatherhood again?
Yes, but it's too early to talk about it. At the moment, I am just keeping quiet about it even though (of course) I am thrilled!

Does Nysa know a sibling is on the way?
Of course, she knows...

Ever worry about getting old?
No, I am very happy. Frankly, I don't understand the concept of getting older. Career-wise, I am doing fine --u00a0I have five releases lined up this year.... And I am fitter than I was at 20 or 30. Now I am working out and pushing weights much more than what I did earlier. I am feeling much more confident and secure than what I was ever before. I have enough to feel secure about.

Sanjay Dutt and you were in talks to buying an IPL team, right?
Yesu00a0-- we wereu00a0-- along with our partners but then decided against it as it didn't make sense business-wise. The bid amount was irrational and would have been a loss-making venture for us. Everyone has his own reasons for buying a team but we were not a corporate firm to invest such huge sums of money.

As we grow older, we become more like our parents. True?
Yes. In a way you start thinking the way your parents did. I think I have become like both (Veeru and Veena Devgn) of them. When I was young, I used to resent my father for telling me what to do. Today, I feel maybe he was right, especially when it comes to decisions concerning your own child. You start worrying and feel more responsible. I spoil Nysa but then I draw the line also. Of course, it's Kajol more than me who lays down the rules. I have become more responsible and do things for more for my family like she does.

Do you worry about the future in films, as all actors are growing older?
No. The younger lot will replace the older ones and that is natural. Indian cinema has been changing for past few years gradually and it's a welcome change.

But would you do small-budget cinema like LSD?
Why not? I was doing small films when no other actor had the balls to do them. Haven't I done films like Raincoat, Zakhm and Takshak?

You have five more releases this yearu00a0-- Raajneeti, Golmaal 3, Toonpur Ka Superhero, Once Upon A Time, and Garam Hawa. Comment.
I am not feeling insecure with all releases coming together because I am very confident of all of them. And this is not the first time. In many years, I have had around five releases in a year. I am very lucky to do as much as I can. Priyan's film is not called Garam Hawa anymore. The name has been changed to Aakrosh.

You have had two hits in six monthsu00a0-- All The Best and Atithi.
Yes, it's been a fantastic time for me. But if you notice I have always had super hits for four out of every five releases that I have done. It's just that I don't know how to tom-tom that. I am uncomfortable screaming and shouting about my success like some actors do. Maybe it is a minus point for me but I can't change now.

Do you feel that your spelling change was successful for you?
I really don't know. I had done it as my mom had wanted me to do it not for success or money but for my health but if people are connecting the change to success it's good enough for me.

You have been doing consistently well in the last few years but it's always the Khan (Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman) who are said to rule the industry today. Do you feel the same?
No. The kind of films we are being offered is equally good and so are the B-O returns. I feel everybody has his own place in the industry and we are all doing well in our own ways. I don't see competition from others. I compete with myself. All I know is that when people talk about my films being hits, I feel vindicated.

Who is your favourite Khan?
I get along with all of them. Whenever I meet Aamir and Salman meet we hit it off well. I don't know Shah Rukh so well as I don't meet him much but when we do we are cordial. I get along very well with Saif too.

That's such a politically correct statement.
I don't do or say things that are controversial o keep me in the limelight. And I don't need controversies to give me publicity. I don't mess around with anybody and nobody has the guts to mess around with me.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I really don't knowu2026 I know that mentally I am growing in the right direction and I am happy with the way my career is going. But yes maybe in a few years I will start cutting down on my films. I will do good and limited work.