Devgan, Ajay

Vishal Veeru Devgan (born 2 April 1969), known professionally as Ajay Devgn, is an Indian actor, film director, and producer. One of the most prolific actors of Hindi cinema, Devgn 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 emerged a star with his film debut, the action romance Phool Aur Kaante (1991). He had further action film roles in Vijaypath (1994), Dilwale (1994), Jaan (1996), Major Saab (1998) and Kachche Dhaage (1999) and romantic roles in Ishq (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Devgn's 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 the films Company (2002), The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Gangaajal (2003), Khakee (2004), Raincoat (2004), 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 had a commercial resurgence in 2010 with Golmaal 3, Raajneeti, and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, and had further success in Singham (2011), Bol Bachchan (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012), Singham Returns (2014), Drishyam (2015), Golmaal Again (2017), Raid (2018) and Total Dhamaal (2019). His highest-grossing releases came with Tanhaji (2020), Drishyam 2 (2022) and Singham Again (2024). For portraying the title role in Tanhaji, he won his third National Film Award for Best Actor. Devgn owns a production company Ajay Devgn FFilms, which was established in 1999. He has frequently collaborated with filmmaker Rohit Shetty and is married to actress Kajol, with whom he has two children.