Interviews/Chats mit Ajay Devgan » Interviews

Ich liebe dieses Interview, vor allem diesen Part:

..... What’s with your war with Shah Rukh Khan anyway?
Really? What we need to do right now is to jump into a boxing ring and fight. I think you guys will be happy only if that happens. The media wants to create a tiff, so go ahead and do it. The day it happens, we’ll get into that boxing ring. ...

I have my friends, Kajol has hers: Ajay Devgan

From the long-haired college Romeo to stunt boy to the intense hero with the burning eyes, Ajay From the long-haired college Romeo to stunt boy to the intense hero with the burning eyes, Ajay Devgan has matured with the Hindi film industry. The two-time National Award winner speaks of his incredible journey with The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta on NDTV 24X7’s Walk The Talk. Excerpts:

• One thing I say about you is that you are almost never seen in TV interviews, very rarely in print interviews, seen mostly on screen, not in parties...

It’s only because I am a very aloof kind, a shy person. And also lazy. So I try and avoid it as much as possible.

• Does that work in cinema, can you afford to be shy?

I have no clue. Maybe, people tell me that it doesn’t work. But I think I would want to be the way I am. There are things which you don’t want to change about yourself, whatever it may cost.

• Is there any particular reason why you never speak out to the media, particularly on TV? In print also, you are rarely seen talking about your movies when they are about to be released or during a shoot.

Yes, even that also, I am forced to do by my producers. But nothing against the media. I prefer keeping things not out in the open, about my personal life. And I don’t talk much, so people, I think take, it for arrogance also.

• So you walk your talk in cinema, as an actor and a producer.

I think you do your job and if it’s done fine, it speaks for itself. So you don’t need to talk a lot. The same media people used to tell me a couple of years ago that it’s is a drawback that you don’t talk about yourself or hype yourself. Then the same people came and told me it works, when a few films were appreciated.

• It makes you an original.

More than original, I am myself. It’s very important as in this industry every morning you get up and you are playing a character. If you carry that home, mentally you get warped. I’ve heard about and seen a few senior actors also, who are not themselves anymore. And they are not to be blamed. They have been playing this character, the star and they have people around them who constantly keep reminding them who they are.

• So when they go home, they want their dog to applaud them.

Exactly. And then you lose your own identity, your own personality, what you were born with.

• Are you talking of some contemporary stars who has become obsessed like this or old ones?

Old ones also and some contemporary also.

• Who cannot get over their filmi persona?

Not even that, I just don’t find them very real. Some of them, not all of them obviously. But I get the feeling that they are not the way they are behaving. So, I get really scared sometimes.

• Would you name who?

No, I don’t want to name anybody.

• But why does this scare you?

Because I want to be what I am. And secondly, I think everything is shortlived. Success, failure, if it starts affecting you, it affects everything in your life. And the bottomline is... I have tried to manage that if there’s been success, I’ve not got carried away. If there’s been failure, you do get upset, but I just snap out of it.

• Are you philosophical? How do you handle failure?

I don’t think much about it. Once a film is over, forget its release, it’s over for me. It’s on a day-to-day basis also. After a shot, there are a lot of actors who would go back to the monitor to see what they’ve done...and apart from that, keep thinking about what they’ve done. I don’t.

• Or brooding?

Not even brooding, a little bit unsure...‘I could have done this better’. You have to better yourself everytime and there is no limit to it. So, I stop thinking and tell my co-stars, especially the ones I get along well with, or ones who are new, not to think about it.

• I am fascinated by what you said about stars becoming self-obsessed. Don’t name anyone but give me some examples where you noted something like this and said to yourself, ‘Good heavens! people can’t change like this!”

I can’t give you an example, but the way they speak or start thinking, they close themselves completely. I am not very sure about this as I have not seen it myself but I had heard about a very senior actor from the south, a very big star. I was told by somebody close to him that when he was around 70, he used to sit at home and act the way he used to earlier... He was telling me how this person got so obsessed and got mentally a little...

• Deranged, unbalanced...

Yes. And I feel that could happen to me if I don’t snap out of it.

• Stardom is one of the most unbalancing things in life.

I agree

• So what keeps you anchored, besides your own personality.

I guess, the people around me.

• In Hindi cinema, people around you are usually chamchas, fans.

Yes. And that’s the reason if you ask people who work with me...neither do I have any chamchas or people who I would want to keep appreciating me. I don’t make a lot of friends. Not because people are not nice but because I am an introvert.

• These are friends from the world of movies, or friends from college...

Some are from the world of movies and some are from college, childhood.

• Who are your friends from the world of cinema, because those are the ones we are most likely to know about.

I don’t have a problem with anybody in the world of cinema.

• But who are your friends?

I don’t hang out with a lot of people. I hardly party. But if I confide, there are very few people... there’s Abhishek, Sanju, Suniel Shetty. We might speak to one another once a week or so, but we know we are there for each other.

• One thing people would like know more about is that you and Kajol are completely different personalities, at least outwardly.

Outwardly, yes. We are different. She is an extrovert, I am an introvert. She talks a lot while I am more on the quieter side. But when it boils down to the basic values, we both think alike. We both believe in the same things and same goals. That’s what I think is more important. Outwardly, if we are not similar, it’s good because one needs to talk and the other needs to keep quiet.

• In this case, we know who talks and who keeps quiet. Is it like this at home also?

Yes. It is.

• And you are a good listener?

I am a good listener but if I am not listening also, I pretend that I am listening.

• So let me ask you a question. It’s a question I asked Jaya Bachchan once. At home, who wears the pants? It’s a sexist expression, but that means who decides, who’s the boss?

Well. It depends on different issues. If I think I am right in making a decision, I do. Where I think she is right, she would.

• What are the kind of things you disagree on? I know you both agree on George Bush not doing the right thing in Iraq?

She is not much into the outside world at all. We disagree on that. I keep telling her, ‘Why don’t you read the newspaper? Why don’t you know what’s happening outside?’ But she is not interested. So I don’t think she knows what George Bush did in Iraq.

• Maybe, she should start reading, tell her to read The Indian Express.

OK.

• Are you very much into the outside world?

I like reading my newspapers, watching the news, I like to know what’s happening in the world. Not that I am obsessed.

• What is it that exercises your mind when you read about what’s going on in the world?

You do tend to think that what is happening, is it right or wrong. Though you don’t have any experience to decide whether it’s actually right.

• In the last few years, what is it that happened in the country or internationally that has affected you, made you think?

Not that it has really made me think because it doesn’t really make a difference.

• Does corruption bother you?

Corruption really bothers me.

• Do communal riots bother you?

Communal riots bother me. Little, stupid things bother me.

• Like what?

Lots of things. I really don’t understand politics.

• Good for you.

Yes, it’s good for me. But it’s not good for the country because most of the people are like me who don’t understand politics. And I think it’s somehow our fault. Because if we don’t understand, we don’t make decisions, we don’t vote for the right people. We are suffering, nobody can be blamed.

• Does that mean some day we’ll see you getting more interested in politics, public life?

I don’t think so. A person like me will not be able to do it, even if I make an effort.

• Because from the very beginning, you have been compared with Sunil Dutt a little bit, who ended up in public life, and quite happily.
When we were compared—it’s a compliment though—it was just the looks...

• There was a certain intensity, a certain aloofness.

Yes, but personality we don’t know.

• So what else works on your mind besides a film? When you go to bed, what do you think of?

I try to switch off, but you do think of a lot of things. I was a very short-tempered person, but not any more.

• Have you done silly things out of anger?

Yes, I have, everybody has.

• Like what?

Beaten up people, went behind the bars during college days. But that I think is with everybody. Then, I started thinking, for the last couple of years, from the other person’s point of view...that cools my temper down.

• Now take us back a little bit. Tell us about you and Kajol. When did you first meet, how did it start?

We first met on the sets of our first film together, Hulchul. How it started, I don’t know. It just happened. There’s no particular day or instance. We just grew into a relationship, slowly grew into liking each other as friends, got friendly, unknowingly... We kept coming across each other a couple of times and then we started liking each other. Just as friends, as human beings. Slowly we got friendly and are married today.

• But you were like chalk and cheese? Was it a case of opposites attracting?

Maybe. Also because as I told you, that the values are the same. The bottomline was we thought similar.

• But you know the world of cinema is different. You are so much in public eye. Here’s one case when an MMS becomes an object of so many denials and controversies. You are under the microscope all the time. When the two of you are so different, does it cause pressure?

No. I think if you trust each other and you know each other... Luckily, she’s also been part of this industry...so you know the media also.

• There have been rumours about you and there have rumours about her.

There haven’t been many rumours about her. More rumours about me. But luckily, again, she trusted me. Secondly, some of the rumours that got printed were totally baseless... At times, it could be so stupid. Once I read something about myself and an actress called Mamta Kulkarni years ago. And trust me, till today, I’ve never met her in my life. Or even came across her also, at a party. I’ve never seen her apart from her film promos or so. I have never seen her in my life. And this Kajol knew.

• So these rumours never had any credibility?

Yes. Even earlier, if I had something to do with somebody, before marriage, I am very thankful to the media that they have always printed the wrong name. So, they could never find out if I ever had something to do with somebody. And they would always write about the wrong person...

• How do you handle Kajol’s extrovertedness...she has a gang of her own.

I have my friends, she has hers.

• Hindi cinema has gangs and she is very much part of the most prominent of all gangs in the Hindi film industry—the Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar gang. Does that bother, affect you?

Not at all... She was friendly with them before we met.

• Does it amuse you?

Not amuse me. Friendship never amuses me.

• But there is a certain kind of buddiness, at least.

See, I’ve never got into the details of their friendship and we don’t discuss it also.

• And you don’t particularly see that you also bond with people she bonds with and vice versa?

No, I don’t have to and neither has she ever forced me. She knows me... that I wouldn’t like to bond with people I don’t want to. As I told you, I am an introvert and I like to maintain my own distance.

• Of all your roles, my favourite is the one in Company. Is is one of your favourite ones, too?

When I was playing the character, I didn’t know what I was doing because we were doing very less. Ramu used to ask me, ‘Aren’t you insecure because any actor in your place would be insecure in such a role?’ If you see the film, in most of the scenes, I am quiet and there’s just one close-up at the end. But Ramu and I believed in each other. For Company, I give Ramu more credit.

• But tell me, the signature of the role you played there was a cigarette. Could anyone have done that role without smoking?

Could have. But there are a lot of things which can be done differently. There are 10,000 ways to do things. But what you think works for the character and for you, you should go ahead with it.

• I am talking of the smoking ban.

I don’t think there should be any ban on smoking. We are not trying to promote smoking, we are not saying that smoking is very good for health. Most of the time, negative characters smoke.

• Bad guys smoke.... bad women smoke

Yes. Most of the time, we also show that smoking is not good for health. If somebody is smoking, the other person is trying to stop him, if it’s a love story... And usually, a person quits in the end. What we are trying to show in our films is what is happening in society. Because we are from this society.

• So banning it is a silly idea?

It’s a stupid idea, not just a silly idea. It does not make sense at all.

• Is it workable?

I don’t know but tomorrow you’ll ban rape, murder and everything. Can you ban politicians, what all do you want to ban. There has to be some kind of freedom.

• Do you see the film community protesting, being able to stop them?

They are trying to protest individually, in their own way. But one thing I don’t like about the film industry is that there is no unity. And that is why I don’t like these couple of shows also, because all you do is...just for your TRP and entertainment, you go on an XYZ show and you try to malign other people from the industry, and bitch about other people. You are part of the industry and if you are united, no one can make fun of you. Tomorrow, people are going to look down upon you...I do not like attending weddings and going dancing on marriages and things like that. And I get very upset when others do it because they look at me also in the same light.

• For money?

For money, exactly. And I don’t think there is any crunch of money.

• But top stars are doing it.

That’s exactly what I am saying. I could understand if other people were doing it who really needed money.... It’s my opinion, but I think it’s wrong.

• Ajay, politics or no politics, I think you have a role in uniting the film industry for the right cause?

I think everybody should. Like in the south, they’ve come together and piracy is practically not there. If we all come together, at least we can start somewhere.

• Or keeping the underworld out of cinema?

For any reason. If we are united, people will think twice before attacking us. Even the government is doing nothing much to help the industry. Just imposing bans. I don’t understand this.

• Ajay, you are a soft-spoken guy but you are not somebody who doesn’t speak his mind?

No, I like to speak my mind. That’s why I speak less.

Quelle: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=49635&pn=0

Ajay's life: Some sugar 'n some spice!

Ajay Devgan is calling 2007 his year of reckoning. He’s shifting into the director’s chair with his venture U, Me Aur Hum, with Kajol and Isha Sharvani as co-stars, and has a packed schedule for the rest of the year.

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There’s Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, where he plays ‘Veeru ‘, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol, Rohit Shetty’s Sunday and Anees Bazmee’s Benaam.

They call me a late bloomer in the industry, but I’ve actually been taking it easy,” he says, on a four-minute break from a shot of U, Me Aur Hum.

The self-confessed “addicted to acting” actor says coming out of the shadow of an action star took long; few directors showed faith in him. “I was good at action, and the ’90s was the decade of action. Zakhm and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam gave me the leverage to pull through,” he says.

The good gent is grateful to his wife, actor Kajol, and his father, action director Veeru Devgan, for some “hope, sugar and spice”.

“It’s my favourite line; Kajol keeps saying it to me,” says the otherwise shy actor. “It’s thanks to her will that I feel I can be a good filmmaker.”

Devgan believes his versatility in roles—he’s aced action, comedy and drama now—has prepared him for direction.

“When I produced Raju Chacha, I was unnerved. The movie didn’t do well and I had to wait seven years to be empowered enough to tell a story,” he admits. “You need to challenge your sensibilities from time to time to be able to be a great actor. Even advertisements make you act, you just have to have the faith to do as many characters as possible,” he adds.

The actor counts Masti and Golmaal as memorable roles for they helped him break the mould. “Earlier they called me an action hero. Then they called me an intense actor. These roles made me funny,” he smiles. “I think I’m doing well.”

Quelle: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=91002

I'm not unprofessional!

When Ajay Devgan talks, people listen. That’s because he doesn’t talk much to begin with!

The actor’s been directing his debut film U, Me Aur Hum the last couple of months (he’s also acting and producing it) and looks tired.

In an exclusive chat, Ajay reveals what went wrong with Anubhav Sinha’s Cash and his steamy number in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag.

Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag releases today.

Yes, and I’m very excited. However, I feel it shouldn’t be compared to Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, which is a landmark film. RGV’s Aag is a completely different genre, has a different attitude, technique and language.

My character Hero is a small-time guy who wants to make money but in the right way. I love the shades the character has — he has a sense of humour, likes to woo women — it’s a role that gave me a lot of scope to act.

Were you awkward while doing that steamy song with Nisha Kothari?
No. I had no reason to feel awkward because I don’t consider it a steamy number. I took off my shirt so people think that’s hot, but for me
it was a song that Ramu wanted me to do. I trust him as a director completely. We get along well and I enjoy working with him.

So what happened with Cash?

To me, the film was incomplete, but the director (Anubhav Sinha) thought otherwise. Going by the box office reports, I guess the audience decided it was incomplete too. I haven’t seen Cash. If I were the distributor, I would have sued the people who knowingly sold me an imperfect film at such a high price.

Why did you do such a bad film?

Firstly, I did it for Sohail Maklai (co-producer). I liked the first draft of the script, the concept and treatment, but then things started going wrong. There were issues with the producers and the director. There was a lot of work left in the climax. Animation wasn’t part of the original script but was added to the end to complete the film. Everything was completed with haste and it shows.

But you refused to shoot a song and were called unprofessional by Sinha.
I am not unprofessional. If I were, I wouldn’t have completed the dubbing for Cash. I’ve been in this industry for 15 years and not one producer has said I’m unprofessional. Anubhav added three extra songs without my knowledge and wanted me to shoot for it. I wasn’t supporting anybody but the law. When they asked me to shoot for Hey Chori, I told them the matter was in court and I would shoot for whoever got the film’s rights. They didn’t wait and went ahead and shot it without me.

Are you keeping the title U Me Aur Hum?

Yes. I finish shooting the last schedule by the end of September. Contrary to reports, it’s not a remake of The Notebook. When people see the film they will figure out the truth.

What’s next?

There’s Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol, Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 2 and Sunday and of course, U Me Aur Hum.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/august/163257.htm

Das Interview ist zwar schon etwas älter (gerade in Ajays Forum gefunden) aber es ist so süss, das muss hier rein!

I love being called a ladies' man

Who’d have thought that the brooding Ajay Devgan enjoys getting attention from the opposite sex?

Speaking My Mind: Ajay Devgan in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol
Ajay Devgan is perceived as an intense and aloof actor, but few people know the wittier side to the actor, which showed itself as we cornered him for a chat. Read on as the actor discusses his website, cuts to size rumours of his much-hyped cold war with Shah Rukh Khan, and why he will never gossip over Koffee with Karan.

Fans at your website ajaydevgan.net have said that Omkara should have got more nominations.
I have replied to fans on my website. I do not attend awards functions because awards don’t matter to me. I am thankful to the people who think Omkara or I should be more deserving of awards. The biggest award for me is that they feel this way.

Did you launch your website recently?
There was always a website, but it wasn’t an interactive one. Now, I try my best to keep in touch with my fans and chat with them often.

People close to you said Omkara was sabotaged by the Karan Johar-Shah Rukh camp. Do you agree?
No, never. There were a couple of media persons who were unnecessarily pulling down the film at that time and I was upset. I don’t know why they were doing it, but I agree with Shah Rukh when he says that a good film can never be sabotaged.

What is this so-called animosity between Shah Rukh and you?
I think Shah Rukh and I need to sit down, talk and figure it out amongst ourselves (laughs). Both of us insist that there is no problem, but the media insists there is one so maybe the media knows better! What Kajol said is true. It’s a misconception that if two people are not friends then they must be enemies.

Would you attend his party if he invited you?
If I feel like going that day, I will go. It has nothing to do with Shah Rukh per se, just that I don’t socialise much.

Will you do a film with SRK?
Why not? If it’s a good script and I like my character and director, I will do it.

Will we ever see you on Koffee with Karan?
No, and it’s got nothing to do with Karan! I am uncomfortable about appearing on such programmes and Karan understands that.

You had two good films last year — Omkara and Golmaal — but you didn’t hype that fact. Are you laidback or simply not ambitious?
I could be laidback, but if you’re asking me to shout from the rooftops, saying, ‘I’ve had two hits last year’, I won’t do it. I don’t believe in self-promotion. I’d rather concentrate on good work than create false hype and fall into that trap of stardom and ego. I’m happy that I had two releases in completely different genres.

Are you satisfied with where you are in life?
Yes. I am trying to do good films. There’s Anubhav Sinha’s Cash, Ram Gopal Varma’s Sholay, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol, Rohit Shetty’s comedy thriller Sunday and Golmaal 2.

In Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol, you play asuperstar called Samir Khan. Is it based on actors like Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan?
No it’s not based on any actor. It is about stars being vulnerable in spite of getting what they want. Can stars live up to the hype that they have created in their personal lives? Rajji has made a brilliant film and everyone has given a great performance.

There was a buzz that you were unhappy with Nisha Kothari as your heroine in Sholay.
I had no clue about this. When I read about it, both Ramu and I were shocked. When I decide to do a film, I trust the director implicitly. Ramu and I had discussed who should play the character before starting the film, so why should I have any problems with Nisha? I have complete faith in Ramu’s choice.

You are non-controversial, yet you have the image of a ladies’ man.
It’s not that I contribute to the image in any way, but yes, if there is an image like that then I have reason to be happy. I love being called a ladies’ man!

Recently, Kajol said you make a better father than a husband…
I need to discuss this with her, but I agree with her completely! But I have to find out why she thinks of me that way.

Do you give as much time to Nysa as a non-starry father would?
Yes, I do. Sometimes, I try to give much more. That’s a conscious attempt.

Do you do it out of a sense of responsibility?
No. As a responsible father, I need to spend time with her but I do that because I crave and enjoy it. It’s all mixed together. When you just do things out of a sense of responsibility, you get fed up after a point.

What’s the latest toy that Nysa is demanding from you?
She doesn’t want toys. Most of the time she just calls me home to spend time with her.

How did you spend your seventh wedding anniversary?
I don’t like talking about personal things, but a quiet dinner and spending time with family is the ideal way.

Quelle: By Upala KBR

KBC 2 - Interview mit Ajay, Kajol und Amitabh vom 15. September 2005

The September 16 episode of KBC 2 is a special for Cancer Rose Day. Superstars Ajay Devgan and Kajol are playing for a cause they believe in. Excerpts from the show where host Amitabh Bachchan (AB) gets the celebrity couple to share little known facts about themselves...


AB:You’re playing for a cause, what is the name of the Cancer Society?

Ajay: It is called Mahesh Memorial Trust, in Chennai. It is in the name of Mahesh Madhavan, a young music composer, who was suffering from cancer for 17 long years and died at the age of 47.

Kajol:In his will he wrote that he wanted his friends, from the industry, to set up a trust where people suffering from cancer can be helped. It could be to fight cancer - be it counseling, chemotherapy or even paediatrics (to start soon).

AB:Mani Ratnam is involved with this project?

Ajay:Yes, Mani was close to Mahesh. I did not know Mahesh personally, but Mani called me.

AB:Are we ready to play?

Kajol:I guess we won’t be ready, but let’s start all the same!

AB:Kajol and Ajay, you have a baby daughter Nysa (pronounced Nisa). How do you feel leaving her back home?

Kajol:We take her along with us always, but it is her sleeping time so we did not bring her with us.

AB:What does Nysa mean?

Ajay:It means Goddess of purity

Kajol:He named her Nysa. He had already decided that if the baby is a girl then she will have to be Nysa.

AB:How is she doing?

Kajol:Very fine

Ajay:Everything is fine but she talks a lot (and smiles)

AB:As a couple you have been very private people?

Ajay:I have always been like this, but she (pointing to Kajol) likes to go out once in a way.

Kajol:We spend a lot of time with the family and since our immediate families consist of 30-35 people, where is the time for friends?

Ajay:No it’s not friends, basically just lazy. I just don’t like going out.

Kajol:True. It is laziness. But Nysa is not like that.

AB:Both your parents are known to me. Tanuja, Kajol’s mother was my first heroine. The film was Pyar Ki Kahani.

Kajol:Yes, I saw the film.

AB:Did you? Actually I got the role by default. The role was to be done by Jeetendra. He could not, hence I got to do it. Ajay’s father is Veeru Devgan. I have to share an interesting thing about him with you. He started off in a small way. He came from Punjab with dreams of making it big in Mumbai. He started as a stuntman, then fight composer, film producer, distributor - he has achieved a lot. He was always keen to learn more. Ajay, you are very fortunate to be his son. Veeru, if you are watching the show here’s wishing you good health, happiness and keep smiling as you always do.

AB:How did you two come together?

Kajol:We signed two films, which we did together. At that time he was seeing someone and I too was seeing someone. By the end of the film we broke off from our respective partners and became close.

AB:Did you then decide to get married?

Ajay:No. It was a gradual process. We were friends, spent a lot of time with each other, gave ourselves time.

AB:Since Veeruji was an action-co-ordinator, your earlier films were action films. Now you are doing a lot of serious films, how did that transition happen?

Ajay:I have been lucky to get the right kind of roles and also chance to work with the right directors. I think the opportunity was right, I did not make any effort really.

AB:Were you worried Kajol about his stunts?

Kajol:Yes, very worried. I asked him if it was me who made him so accident-prone. He said, “No. I have always been like this”. I guess he broke 200 bones before and some six after he met me.

AB:Any memorable or difficult stunt?

Ajay:Not really. I think during your time the stunts were much more difficult. Our time there’s a lot of precautions that came into play. Stunts seem a lot more easier.

AB:That’s why I appreciate what Veeruji did. (He relates an incident during the shoot of Reshma Aur Shera). Now there is padding. Sholay had no padding, it was tough then.

AB:Anything really tough or adventurous?

Ajay:Most often we’ve managed.

Kajol:But in Hindustan Ki Kasam he had to dive from the plane, that seemed scary. I’m happy he is doing normal stuff.

Ajay:That too was normal stuff.

Kajol:A man jumping from two floors cannot be normal stuff, except may be in Fear Factor etc.

AB:Now that you feel more responsible with Nysa, do you feel you should not do it?

Ajay:Yes, it makes you think. You become more careful, not just doing stunts but in all your actions.

AB:Kajol, you are doing a film with Aamir, for the first time?

Kajol:I’ve worked with him earlier.

AB:It’s a Yash-Raj film and I know they don’t speak about it until everything is ready.

Kajol:It’s a contemporary film, but with a light old world feel to it. Not historical.

AB:Aamir generally does historicals.

Kajol:(Laughingly) And it takes four years to complete. But this is not so.

AB:When will it begin?

Kajol:From September 15.

AB:And finish in about two months!

Kajol:No, not two months, but about six months.

Kajol answers a question on martial arts, which prompts AB to ask about her interest.

Kajol:I am a regular martial arts film person. I have watched all Jackie Chan films - in fact the entire family, my mom, sister and I we love watching martial arts films.

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=11191

Veeru version 2

Two-time national award winner Ajay Devgan and his favourite director, Ram Gopal Varma (RGV), have teamed up again in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, after their successful Company and Bhoot.

But that's not why the film is being talked about so much. Put that down to fact that it is a remake of India's all-time classic Sholay.

First, fans didn't want a remake. Now, the film has been universally panned. But Devgan, playing Heero, the new version of Veeru, has been one of the film's very few bright spots.

The role — played by Dharmendra in the original — didn't come to him easily. It was first offered to Saif Ali Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. Devgan says he hopes he was able to give a new twist to the character immortalised by Dharmendra.

Excerpts from an interview with Devgan:

When Ram Gopal Varma offered you Dharmendra's part in his remake of Sholay, how did you react?

I have seen Sholay umpteen times and loved Dharmendra in the film. I know Dharmendra has immortalised the character of Veeru and to play that role is a great opportunity for me. With Ramu taking care of direction, I knew he would add his own dimension to the character and it was a challenge for me to do it. I have complete trust in Ramu's ability and readily agreed to play the part.

But aren't you worried about the comparisons between you and Dharmendra?

Firstly, there is no connection with the original film as each character is being portrayed differently. We are not remaking the film but making an updated version of the original. Ramu has changed the entire setting and the characters to suit modern tastes. Therefore, I play a character who is different from what Dharmendra played though the core of the character is very much the same.

There are many who feel that a classic like Sholay should not be remade. What is your take on this?

I believe there are two ways of looking at it. The first one is that those who were closely associated with such a prestigious project do not want to see another version of this film, which is quite fair. The second perspective is that of those who are fascinated by the original and want to pay tribute to it by remaking it. Therefore, I have no issue about remaking Sholay.

Newcomer Prashant plays Amitabh Bachchan's part in RGV Ki Aag. How do you rate his performance?

Nowadays, newcomers come better prepared on the sets. Prashant prepared himself very well for the role and worked hard on his performance. I am sure he is going to impress the audience with his confident performance despite the film being his first one.

In the last few years, you seem to be doing different kinds of films — romance, comedy, thriller and action. Which genre are you most comfortable with?

Though I started out doing an action role, I always wanted to do varied roles and enjoy the challenge of doing something different. I do not have a favourite genre and opt for films depending on the role and the director. As an actor, I want to expand my acting range based on the opportunities of playing diverse roles.

How is your directorial debut U, Me and Hum shaping up and what's the film's about?

I am enjoying directing my first film as I have always wanted to direct. The film is a love story and it co-stars my wife, Kajol. I am looking at completing the film by the year end and being ready for an early 2008 release.

Quelle: http://www.gulf-news.com/tabloid/Cinema/10154280.html

Artikel aus der CineBlitz September 2006

"Zu faul um jemand anders zu sein"

Ajay Devgan im Gespräch mit Nishi Prem über 7 menschliche Versuchungen

Ich kenne Devgan seit fast 10 Jahren und stelle nun fest, dass jede Philosophie von Ajay hauptsächlich auf einem Bedürfnis fundiert. Persönlicher Komfort. Unbehagen jeglicher Art mag er nicht. Für Kunstgriffe, Schnörkelleien, Verzierungen hat er keine Geduld. Zu viel Aufwand wird für Täuschungen betrieben. Wenn man also all dies weg läßt, kann er ungefähr er selbst sein.

Unschuld
Einfachheit. Ich glaube, alles transparente und ehrliche ist unschuldig. Aber das sieht man heutzutage nicht of. Ich weiß nicht, ob Unschuld heute noch von Wert ist. Vielleicht wird es als Albernheit angesehen. Du glaubst nicht daran, wenn du es siehst, weil du darauf nicht länger vertraust. Das naheliegendste Beispiel für Unschuld ist meine Tochter... in der Art wie sie spricht, die Art wie sie dich ansieht, wie sie ist. Kinder können auch garstig und egoistisch sein. Aber sie gehen niemals gegen ihren eigenen spezifischen Charakter, da ist Ehrlichkeit in ihren Wünschen und in der Art wie sie sind. Wenn wir älter werden lernen wir, uns hinter Masken zu verbergen.

Ich glaube, dass erste Mal, wenn man sich verliebt - nicht, wenn mann 18 - 19, sondern 11 - 12 ist - noch bevor man überhaupt von Liebe gehört oder gelesen hat, erfährt man es ohne vorgefasste Meinung, mit absoluter Unschuld. Später im Leben lernt man selbst die Liebe zu manipulieren. Ich weiß natürlich nicht, ob man dies heute über 11-jährige sagen kann. Ich glaube der Verlust der Unschuld ist der Preis den wir für Fortschritt bezahlen müssen. Man sieht es nicht mehr sehr häufig heutzutage. Es ist cool möglichst viele Informationen und Wissen zu sammeln und wenig Einfachheit. Wenn man heutzutage einer Unschuld über den Weg läuft, "aise lagta hai ki naatak kar raha hai". Das ist daraus geworden. So ist die Welt geworden. So sind wir geworden.

Versuchung
Das führt uns zur Geburt des Menschen. Sie regiert immer noch die Schöpfung. Sie existiert überall. Die Versuchung ist in jedem. Und ich spreche von allen Arten von Versuchungen. Na klar werde ich jederzeit von allen möglichen Dingen in Versuchung geführt. Aber man kann nicht durchdrehen weil Versuchungen ihre Auswirkungen haben und es ist an dir zu entscheiden wie weit du gehen willst und wieviel du verlieren willst. Und weil Versuchungen meistens impulsiv sind, sollte man einfach von Zeit zu Zeit den Moment verstreichen lassen und dann feststellen, dass es keinen Unterschied macht.

Und da ist eine Boshaftigkeit mit der Versuchung verbunden. Da ist das aufregende "verbotene Frucht-Element". Es ist wie jemanden zu begehren, den man nicht begehren sollte. Zu begehren, was einem rechtmäßig gehört oder was man verdient ist keine Versuchung.

Na klar habe ich es auch versucht. Man macht es ständig auf verschiedene Arten, bewußt und unbewußt. Heranwachsenden bedeutet Versuchung möglicherweise nur Sex und an dem Punkt, da man erwachsen ist, kann Versuchung alles sein. Versuchung der Macht, des Geldes... der Dinge, die man sich nicht leisten kann. Du siehst ein sehr teures Auto und du bist versucht, es zu besitzen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt es Dinge, die ich mir nicht leisten kann aber manchmal wird man einfach mitgerissen und manchmal hält man sich selbst zurück.

Lust ist eine andere Form der Versuchung, die immer schon faszinierend und gleichzeitig umstritten. Meiner Meinung nach ist Lust ein ehrliches Gefühl, mehr gut als schlecht. Es ist da. Man spricht nicht darüber, man rationalisiert es, aber es ist da. Lust ist natürlich. Und jeder, der etwas anderes sagt, lügt. Es ist in jedem Zentrum des Universums und der Schöpfung. Lust, Versuchung, Verlangen, sie bewahren uns vor Monotonie and machen das Leben aufregender. Auf poetischere Art gesagt, sie sind eine Inspiration für das Leben. Ich habe noch niemals jemanden getroffen, der zufrieden war und danke Gott dafür.

Loyalität
Für mich ist Loyalität etwas sehr, sehr wichtiges. Für mich ist Loyalität zu den Menschen zu stehen, die man liebt und um die man sich sorgt, zu seiner Familie und seinen Freunden zu stehen, egal, was kommt. Manchmal bedeutet es auch, Dinge für sie zu tun, die über deine eigenen Vorteile hinaus gehen aber du bedauerst dies nicht weil du am Ende weißt, dass du es getan hast, weil du es so wolltest. Loyalität bedeutet nicht, liebe mich, liebe meine Freunde und hasse meine Feinde. Wenn Kajol sich entschließt, sich mit jemandem zu befreunden, den ich vielleicht nicht mag, ist das ihre Sache. Ihr Bezug zu dieser Person mag ein anderer sein, als meiner. Ebenso könnte ich eigene Freunde und Kollegen haben. Einander Raum zu geben und die Entscheidungen des anderen zu respektieren ist ein großer Teil der Loyalität. Sich in die Wolle zu kriegen ist nicht Loyalität, sondern Dummheit. Loyalität ist auch, wenn einer meiner Freunde jemanden nicht mag, schließe ich mich nicht mit demjenigen zusammen um ihn zu erstechen.

Loyalität bedeutet auch nicht, dass es einem unmöglich ist, mit seinen Freunden ehrlich zu sein, um deren Gefühle zu schützen. Wenn ich deiner Meinung nach Falsch liege, dann liege ich Falsch. Ich erwarte von dir nicht, dass du zu jemandem wegen mir ungerecht bist.

Für mich ist Loyalität, da zu sein für die Leute, die ich liebe, und nicht ihr Leben umzukrempeln damit sie meinem entsprechen. Ich habe immer versucht, für die Leute um mich herum da zu sein und manchmal habe ich dafür den Preis bezahlt, aber dafür sind Freunde da.

Autorität
Ich glaube ich genieße es mehr, eine autoritäre Position zu haben, als dass jemand diese über mich hat - dies wird der Fall bei jedem sein. Meine Eltern waren meine ersten Autoritätspersonen. Dann kamen meine Lehrer. Schule war ok, die Lehrer liebten mich. Als Kind akzeptiert man Autorität ohne sie zu hinterfragen. Während der Pubertät, wenn man beginnt, in die Welt hinaus zu treten, tauchen auch die meisten Probleme mit Autorität auf. Im College setzten wir uns über alle Regeln hinweg und machten unser eigenes Ding. Ich kann mich an keinen der dortigen Lehrer erinnern. "Shakal hi yaad nahi, class mein kahan jaate the hum log". Und wenn unsere Eltern einbestellt wurden, ließen wir sie nie wissen, "unn sab ke liye bhi bahut raaste the".

Meine Mutter war ok, sie hat mich verstanden und meistens nachgegeben, aber mit meinem Vater war das ganz anders. Ich habe versucht, ihm aus dem Weg zu gehen weil es immer hieß "tu dies" und "tu dies nicht". Also begann ich, Dinge vor ihm zu verbergen. Heute mach ich das gleich mit meinen jüngeren Cousins. Ich benehme mich ihnen gegenüber genauso, wie mein Vater mir gegenüber. Ich drehe mich um und sage ihnen, dass ich genau weiss, wie sie sich fühlen, weil ich genauso gefühlt habe und dass sie dies erst in 10 Jahren verstehen werden, weil auch ich erst jetzt die Dinge verstehe, die mein Vater mir damals sagte. Und ich weiss genau wie das ist, jemandem jüngeren etwas zu sagen, was dieser nicht hören will... weil wir das selbe durchgemacht haben. Zu der Zeit hasst man es aber heute ist man seinen Eltern dankbar für die Art, wie sie waren, weil du deswegen heute so bist.

Eigentlich fühle ich mich in der Autoritätsposition wohler. Ich glaube nicht, dass ich auf Autorität mit der gleichen Verantwortung reagieren kann mit der ich Autorität übernehme. Je mehr Autorität ich habe, um so besorgter werde ich. Die Verantwortung steigt. Wahrscheinlich mag daher nicht jeder, in dieser Position zu sein. Die Vorstellung, für jemanden anders Verantwortung zu übernehmen, ängstigt sie. Ich arbeite eher ein wenig mehr, achte darauf, dass jeder ok ist, weil ich die Verantwortung trage. Und ich strebe auch danach. In einer Gruppe von sechs Leuten werde ich automatisch derjenige, der die Führung übernimmt.

Integrität
Den Mut zu haben, standhaft für seine Überzeugungen einzutreten, was immer sie auch sein mögen, ist für mich Integrität. Ich kann nichts tun, weswegen ich hinterher erschaudern würde. Integrität ist auch, wie nahe man seinem Wesen ist. Da wären so viele Dinge gewesen, die ich hätte tun können um meiner Karriere zu helfen aber für mich wären sie falsch gewesen, sie wären gegen meine Wesensart gewesen und ich hätte sie nicht vortäuschen können. Ich sehe andere, die dies ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken tun. Für sie muss es richtig sein. Es ist als müsse ich dich auf meine Seite ziehen und dies auf eine so glatte Weise tun, dass du dies nicht einmal bemerken würdest. Aber damit würde ich mich nicht wohl fühlen und ich würde mich richtig beschissen fühlen wenn ich daheim wäre, daher würde ich es niemals tun. Keiner außer mir wird es merken. Was andere Leute von mir denken, kommt erst viel später, was ich von mir selbst halte ist sehr wichtig für mich und ich könnte einen Kompromiss eingehen mit dem, was andere über mich denken um das zu schützen, was ich von mir selbst halte. Und das habe ich schon oft getan. So verstehe ich Integrität. So interpretiere ich es für mich.

Leute sagen, ich wäre scheu oder distanziert, ich wäre ruhig, ich würde nicht mit Menschen reden oder auf Partys gehen. Weil das nicht ich bin - einen Film zu promoten is ok aber mich zu promoten, das bin nicht ich. Wenn ich es tun würde, würde ich mich sehr unwohl fühlen. Es ist als ob ich mich selbst in jemand anderen schubsen würde um einen Gewinn zu erzielen. Es passiert so oft, dass Leute mir sagen "arre yaar usko ek phone kar de toh kaam ho jayega, fayda ho jayega, ye ho jayega, woh ho jayega" aber ich werde niemals den Mumm haben, den Hörer abzuheben... Ich würde den Hörer abheben, "Hallo wie gehts", wenn es ein Freund ist, aber ich könnte niemals um einen Gefallen bitten. Vor allem nicht wenn ich wüsste, du würdest niemals ablehnen. Ich kann eine Beziehung oder meine Position nicht für meinen eigenen Vorteil misbrauchen. Niemals. Selbst als Produzent würde ich jemand anderen aus meiner Gruppe bitten, einen anderen Star oder Produzenten anzurufen, so, dass diese Person die Freiheit hat, nein zu sagen – weil ich weiss, dass sie nicht nein sagen würden, wenn ich anrufen würde... Ich würde es hassen, sie unter Zwang zu setzen... Ich würde die Vorteile nicht genießen können... wenn du verstehst, was ich meine. Integrität bedeutet all dies zu respektieren, wofür man einsteht.

Neid
Neid ist auch ein normales menschliches Gefühl, was wir allerdings nicht leicht eingestehen. Du gehst nicht rum und sagst, du bist neidisch auf dies oder das oder jene Person aber du bist es. Ich beneide diese bestimmte Eigenschaft einer Person, das ist eine nette Art es darzustellen. Aber ehrlich, wenn jemand etwas hat, das du nicht hast, bist du neidisch. Ich bin faul und fühle häufig, das es besser laufen würde, wenn ich härter gearbeitet hätte und beneide daher andere, bei denen es besser läuft. Neid ist eine weiter entwickelte Form der Eifersucht. Neid ist träger; Eifersucht ist aktiver. Eifersucht kann Schaden verursachen, will verletzen... das Übertreiben einer jeden Emotion ist schlecht... übertriebene Liebe kann auch einengend sein. Aber jemanden herunter zu ziehen macht dich nicht größer. Es macht dich eher kleiner.

Neid existiert in allen Berufen und Positionen aber hier wird Erfolg und Misserfolg potenziert weil so viel darüber geschrieben wird und daher länger hängen bleibt. Wir werden ständig an unsere Fehlschläge und Erfolge erinnert. Es wird geschrieben, dass Nishi mehr Erfolg hat als ich, ich lese es und denke, Scheiße, jetzt denkt die ganze Welt so und ich winde mich noch mehr...

Leidenschaft
Ich bin keine sehr leidenschaftliche Person in der Art, dass ich keine Leidenschaft für irgendetwas länger aufrecht erhalten kann. Ich bin zu träge und entspannt. Ich habe eine neue Idee, ich bin aufgeregt, lass es uns tun, wir müssen es tun, wir müssen es tun, ich rufe meine Leute 10 x an "arre woh kiya kya... tere ko bola tha na karne ke liye... dus minute baad kyon, abhi karo". Und am nächsten Tag, wenn sie mich zurück rufen "ke ho gaya" und es ist wie "sochte hain yaar... jaane de". Wofür ich die meiste Leidenschaft entwickle? Weil es nur ein Augenblick ist, für vieles. Wofür ich die längste Zeit Leidenschaft übrig hatte? Für nichts, glaube ich. Ehrlich gesagt bin ich auch nicht sehr leidenschaftlich, was meine Arbeit angeht. Aber wenn ich dies sage, werden die Leute meinen "ke yaar isko toh kaam ka shauk hi nai hai"... aber so ist es nicht, ich bin sehr an meiner Arbeit interessiert und will es gut machen aber ich brenne da nicht vor Leidenschaft. Ich bin nicht diese Art von Mensch. Und diesen Weg habe ich in meinem Job nie verlassen, auch in meinem ersten Film nicht. Vielleicht fallen mir die Dinge leicht zu. Wenn die Leute sagen, dass ich in dem Film gut war drehe ich mich um und sage, dass ich dafür nicht hart arbeiten musste. Ich meine, selbst, wenn ich es getan hätte, wäre es genauso hart gewesen, wie für jeden anderen Film. "Toh usme kya hai aisa jo maine kar diya? Maine kuch nahi kiya." Ich hatte viel Glück, dass "woh ho gaya"... daher sage ich immer, dass all die Ehre meinen Regisseuren gebührt.

Für mich ist Leidenschaft, etwas richtig machen zu wollen aber dafür nicht hart arbeiten zu können. Nicht, dass ich minderwertige Sachen machen will. Ich will es gut machen, manchmal denke ich "yaar" ich sollte an diese Rolle anders heran gehen, ich sollte dieses oder jenes versuchen. Aber daran arbeiten tue ich dann doch nicht. Um es zu machen, müsste ich proben oder sowas aber ich bemühe mich nicht ausreichend. Aber ich versichere, dass ich alles was ich mache aufrichtig mache. Manchmal glaube ich auch, Leidenschaft wird vorgetäuscht – ich empfinde Leidenschaft für meine Arbeit, für dies oder jenes...

Ich arbeite nicht sehr hart. Ich sitze nicht da und büffel meinen Text. Ich mache nichts. Tatsächlich warte ich immer bis zur letzten Minute. "Jo ho jayega, ho jayega". Irgendwie renne ich vor harter Arbeit davon. Ich gehe nie über den Level hinaus, auf dem ich mich wohl fühle. Dafür bin ich zu faul. Ich weiss nicht, was als nächstes kommt und es kümmert mich auch nicht wirklich. "Aaj achcha kaam ho gaya teek hai chalo, khatam karo". Ich weiss nicht, wie ich meine Arbeit noch verbessern kann. Ich kenne den Weg nicht. Ich weiss nur, dass man aufrichtig im Job sein muß, während du ihn machst und das ist der einzige Weg, den ich kenne. Es heute bei meiner Faulheit so gut wie möglich zu machen und morgen ist wieder ein anderer Tag.

Der Biss der Wirklichkeit - Ajay´s interview , weil er 70 filme gedreht hat!

Er ist ein wahrer Held. Egal ob am Bildschirm oder nicht. Als der Wassertank an Harry Baweias Set zu Qayamat explodierte, war er an erster Stelle, um einem Mann zu helfen. Als dieser ins Krankenhaus eingewiesen wurde hat Ajay noch mal nachgeschaut, ob wirklich niemand anderes verletzt wurde.

Unfälle verursachen ihm eine Gänsehaut. Einst in Malaysia starb ein Mann in seinen Armen. Der Kopf des Mannes war nach einem Unfall quasi in zwei Hälften geteilt. Deswegen war Ajay tagelang nicht in der Lage zu drehen. Er sagt, dass er den Unfall niemals vergessen kann. Durch diesen Unfall kam es zu einer Drehpause, warum Ajay auch Zeit für eine Unterhaltung hat.

Für seine Karriere war das Jahr 2002 maßgebend. „Die Legende von Bagath Singh“, „Company“ und „Deewangee“ pushten ihn in die obere Riege. Dazu sagt Ajay: „Vertrauen brauchten die Direktoren, um diese verschieden Charaktäre in den Filmen zu machen. Ich bin sehr glücklich, dass ich diese Rollen bekommen habe. Zwar musste er lange warten, aber der Erfolg war längst überfällig.

„In guten Zeiten kann alles passieren“, begründet Ajay, „es wäre falsch zu behaupten, dass ich das alles voraus geahnt habe, seit ich meinen ersten Film gedreht habe. Als Schauspieler bin ich gewachsen und musster reifen, bis ich mich zum jetzigen Stand entwickelt habe. Die Öffentlichkeit hat Anteil genommen an den Charakteren, die ich mit Herzblut gespielt habe. Das bedeutet, dass das Publikum kritischer wird und Schlechtes ablehnt.“

Ajay ist ständig bereit zu experimentieren. Auch am Anfang seiner Karriere, als der Film „Phool Aur Kante“ einen Vater-Sohn-Konflikt zeigte, ging es um einen Action-Thriller. Ajay lächelt: „Für mich ist es nicht genug, etwas neues auszuprobieren. Auch die Filmemacher müssen gewillt sein, etwas anderes zu machen.“
Man muss ihm zu Gute halten, dass er das Glück hatte, mit Regisseuren wie Rajkumar Santoshi und Ram Gopal Varma zu arbeiten, die ihm den nötigen Freiraum und die nötigen Rollen gaben und ihn zu ihren Favoriten machten. Nach „Lajja“ verpflichtete Santoshi ihn auch für „Die Legende von Bagath Singh“ und „Khakee“. Varma und Devgan arbeiteten zusammen in „Company“, „Bhoot“ und in Varmas neuestem Projekt.
Wenn man ihn fragt, warum ausgerechnet diese Top-Regisseure ihn unter Vertrag genommen hat, antwortet Ajay: „Schauen Sie, sie kamen auf mich zu, weil sie wussten, dass ich deren Wünsche umsetze. Wir hatten viel zu tun, aber es hat sich gelohnt!“
Mit den Erfahrungen, die er an diversen Sets sammeln konnte, ist er da abhängig von den Regisseuren? „Natürlich sind die Regisseure abhängig von der Arbeit der Schauspieler. Er ist natürlich der Chef und du musst danach arbeiten, was er sagt. Wenn dieser nicht dazu in der Lage ist, den Schauspieler davon zu überzeugen, kann dieser sich nicht mit dem Projekt identifizieren und es gibt Missverständnisse auf dem Bildschirm. In solchen Fällen versuche ich, den goldenen Mittelweg zu nehmen. Das ist mir schon in mehreren Filmen gelungen und wurde mir nicht zur Last gelegt.“

Mann muss Ajay zustimmen, dass man den genauen Wendepunkt seiner Karriere nicht bestimmen kann. Er hat gefühlt, wann die Zeit reif ist. Die richtige Gelegenheit kam zeitgleich mit den Filmen „Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam“, „Zakhm“ und „Pyaar To Houna Hi Tha“. „Die Charaktere brachten mir viel Anerkennung. Ich habe mich mit Überzeugung vom Action-Helden distanziert und meine Vielseitigkeit gezeigt“, sagt er dazu.

Würde er noch mal einen Film wie „Phool Aur Kaante“ machen? „Warum nicht?“ entgegnet er. „Es war ein guter Film. Da war mehr dran als nur Musik und Action. Aber jetzt würde ich einen älteren Typen spielen. Sie können nicht erwarten, dass ich noch mal einen College-Studenten spiele. Das würde ich heutzutage nicht mehr machen.“

Er denkt sorgfältig nach: „Es ist lange her, dass ich Filme geniessen konnte. Ich bin kein linkischer Teenager mehr. Es ist etwas anderes, als den Mann zu spielen, der ich in „Phool Aur Kaante“ war. Ich denke, dass ich nicht mehr der klassischen Rolle zugeordnet werden kann. Noch nie habe ich verstanden, warum man in den Strassen tanzen muss um zu zeigen, dass man verliebt ist. Das ist für unsere Filme nicht notwendig. Wie kann man auch einen Film in Mumbai spielen und plötzlich ist man für eine Szene in der Schweiz, nur um dort zu singen? Lieder sind nur Lückenfüller um die Erwartung zu erfüllen, die die Versorger fordern. Nicht mal das Publikum erwartet das. Oder haben sie nicht die Leute gesehen, die während der Songs rauchen gehen?“

Dennoch gibt er zu, dass es okay ist, in romantischen Musicals mit zu spielen. „Ich habe nichts gegen die Lieder. Auch die sind eine Form der Ausdrucksweise. Trotzdem kann ich diese nicht real auf dem Bildschirm ausdrücken.“ Zum ersten Mal war Ajay in einer negativen Rolle in „Deewangee“ zu sehen. „Ich schaue nicht danach, ob die Rolle positiv oder negativ ist. Nur der Charakter an sich muss interessant sein. Selbst wenn ich eine Frau töten muss und das Publikum klatscht. Demnach war der Charakter mächtig und hat Eindruck hinterlassen. Was will man mehr?“
Der Schauspieler gibt zu, dass das Publikum mehr auf Under-Dogs steht mit subtilem Charakter. Sie lehnen laute Handlungen ab. „Oft kamen Leute zu mir und meinten, dass ich natürlich rüber komme. Genau wie die Hollywood-Schauspieler“, grinst er. Wenn er sich an die Momente in „Deewangee“ erinnert, wo er übertreiben musste, meint er: „Das lag am Charakter, der in verschiedenen Einstellung anders sein musste. Aber ich war nie laut!“

Ajay nennt sich selber einen spontanen Schauspieler. Er übt nicht zu Hause und hält nichts von Generalproben. Seine Methode: Wenige Takes verbrauchen, denn nach spätestens dem zweiten Take fühlt er die Stimmung und agiert entsprechend.
Ist das nicht eine zu lasche Einstellung in Bezug auf seine Arbeit? „Hey, ich nehme meine Arbeit sehr ernst! Ich komme in der Hinsicht nur nach meiner Mutter. Ich bin nur sehr gefasst und selten gekünzelt, was meine Arbeit betrifft. Natürlich bin ich in Sorge um meine Filme, aber ich kaue nicht an meinen Nägeln und frage mich, ob diese durchfallen oder dem Publikum gefallen. Warum hyperventilieren, wenn es nicht in deiner Macht steht? Du musst dein Bestes geben und abwarten. Mein Vater hat sich auch nie von Erfolg oder Niederlage leiten lassen. Das ist genau die richtige Einstellung.“

Was ist seine Schwäche? „Ich bin zurückhaltend und sehr sehr träge, was meine Arbeit betrifft. Alles schiebe ich bis zur letzten Sekunde auf.“

Ajay merkt, dass sich das Gesicht des indischen Helden wandelt. „Mitte der 90er Jahre hätte niemand damit gerechnet, wie die heutigen Filme aussehen“, bemerkt er und fügt hinzu: „Und genau dafür müssen wir unserem Publikum danken. Denn genau diese haben bewirkt, dass die alten Handlungen nicht mehr wirken und die Filmemacher umdenken mussten.“
Sie waren ein starker Mitstreiter für Shahrukh Khan im Award um den besten Schauspieler im letzten Jahr. „Schauen Sie, ich glaube nicht an Wettbewerbe. Ich glaube an mich selber. Was Shahrukh Khan anbelangt, beziehen wir beide die unterschiedlichsten Rollen. Was er kann, kann ich anders.“

Berichten zu Folge gibt es Spannungen zwischen Shahrukh Khan und Ajay. Was ist die Wahrheit? „Da gibt es überhaupt keine Probleme“, seufzt er. „Alles wurde von den Medien in die Welt gesetzt. Wir kennen einander nicht einmal gut. Ich kenne Interviews von ihm, wo er sich auf Kosten Anderer einen Scherz erlaubt, aber über mich habe ich nichts gelesen.“

Aber warum kursieren Gerüchte, in denen Ajay seine Frau Kajol warnte, mit Shahrukh weiter zu drehen? „Quatsch! Das durfte ich mir seit Jahren anhören. Seit dem Moment, als ich anfing um sie zu werben. Und auch nachdem sie diverse Filme mit ihm gedreht hat wie „DDLJ“, „KKHH“ und „K3G“. Kajol und Shahrukh Khan kennen die Wahrheit, also lassen Sie uns das bitte endlich vergessen!“ Bald wird Ajay Vater. Aufgeregt sagt er: „Ich halte die Daumen, bis endlich alles vorüber und gut überstanden ist. Nennen Sie mich nicht abergläubisch, nur vorsichtig. Ich möchte nicht, dass irgend etwas schief geht!

Ajay Devgan: I am a star, not stardom

Ajay Devgan is a versatile actor. Starting his filmi career with ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ that proved a great hit at the box office. Ajay’s father Veeru Devgan is a director as well as producer. Ajay tries his level best to carry out his family responsibility along with his films. He is always keen on maintaining his relationship with the audience. He never misses an opportunity to reply to his fans.

Excerpts of his chat with the media:

Admirers have commended you on your website for your acting in ‘Omkara’?

Heartily thank the audience for watching and praising me for ‘Omkara’. The audience is the real award for me.

Did Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan comment on ‘Omkara’ and you?

I was very upset with the media at the time of the film’s release. The words of Shah Rukh have been wrongly quoted. When I met with Shah Rukh Khan, he gave passed good comments on ‘Omkara’.

Has there any dispute between you and Shah Rukh owing to Kajol?

Shah Rukh doesn’t talk beyond limits. Kajol has worked with Shah Rukh in several films in the past and will have a chance to act together. Shah Rukh and Kajol are good friends.

Do you want to act with Shah Rukh Khan?

Why not, I don’t have any problem if the script and the character are good enough.

Last year, your two films ‘Omkara’ and ‘Golmaal’ remained successful at box office but you are still unhappy. Didn’t these films fulfill your ambition?

I am quite happy with my career. ‘Omkara’ and ‘Golmaal’ have transformed me. I am a star not stardom.

Are you happy with your preset status?

I am in search of good films. My next films are like Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Case’, Ram Gopal Verma’s ‘Sholay’, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s ‘Halla Bol’ and Rohit Shetty’s comedy thriller film ‘Sunday’.

You are playing superstar in Rajkumar Santoshi’s next film “Halla Bol”. Is the movie based on Shah Rukh or Salman’s life?

No, this film is not based on any of these actors. The story revolves around a person who has both wealth and fame. The story of the film is really good. The star cast of this film has worked extremely well.

Are you unhappy with your ‘Sholay’ co-star ‘Nisha Kothari’?

Many people face problems while working with co-stars. The problems are due to the scene and dialogues. I have also faced these types of problems. Ramu has solved this problem. I don’t think I have any personal problem with Nisha.

Recently, Kajol had said that you are a better father than a husband?

I am husband for my wife and a father for my daughter. I try to shoulder both the responsibilities in the best possible way.

Do you spend little time with your daughter due to busy schedule?

It is true that I am not able to give enough time to my daughter due to busy schedule though I try to spend as much time with her as I can.

Don’t you think you are not doing your duties properly?

No, it’s not like that. I know my responsibilities very well. I take time out to spend with my daughter. I have the responsibilities of a father as well as that of my family. So I have to take care of all.

Quelle: http://ajay-devgan.com/138/ajay-devgan-i...ardom/#more-138

Ajay Devgan: Everyone has their own definition of 'Normal'! - May 6, 2005

How difficult was it to portray a mentally challenged character?
“It was a difficult role. I play a man with the mind of a seven-year-old in ‘Main Aisa Hi Hoon’. And you know how a seven year old behaves when it comes to any kind of situation. Children are very open about their feelings, and they don’t think twice before expressing them. The film tries to explore whether one can call him ‘normal’ or the world ‘normal’, because everyone has their own definition of ‘normal’.”

Doesn’t the subject sound similar to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ and ‘Black’?
“‘MAHH’ is not going to be compared to any other film. You will have to see it to realize that. I haven’t seen these two films but from whatever I have been told, the genres, characters, attitudes are completely different.”

Do you think mentally challenged people can lead normal lives?
“If guided properly, yes, I think so. There are so many special people who are so talented and who are using those talents to do something. I am not saying that they don’t have any limitations, but then who doesn’t have any limitations.”

Isn’t a change in attitude more important towards special people?
“Yes. It is because we believe we ourselves are normal that we pity people who are special. Given the right opportunities and treated properly, they too can lead normal lives. I think people should stop feeling sorry for them in the first place.”

In ‘Black’, Amitabh Bachchan severely punishes the child in order to teach her proper behaviour. Do you endorse the ‘spare the rod’ philosophy?
“I don’t know about that. But as far as punishing goes, haven’t you and I been punished to improve our behaviour when we were kids? It’s the same with them. If a little punishment is required, it is the same with us.”

How emotionally wracking is it to play deviant from the normal?
“There are a few scenes in the film which really moved me while doing them. Not that I identify with those situations because I have never gone through them in real life -- but somehow I could understand them. Like in the climax where the lead protagonist is fighting for his own child, he says, ‘I can’t give her everything, but I can give her all I have. I only know that I love her and I will love her for the rest of my life. I will try to keep her happy. What right does someone have to separate a child and a father when they don’t want to be separated?’ Such moments really touched me because of their sincerity.”

What was Kajol’s reaction to your ‘sensitive’ portrayal?
“Everyone who has seen it has come out crying. Even Kajol – she loved the film and the performances. It’s very rare that I love my own films, but I liked this one. It has shaped up the way we wanted it to. And most interestingly, we have made a truly commercial film and yet tackled a sensitive issue such as this. We’ve not had songs just for the heck of it. Each song is relevant and necessary to the situation.”

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...942,curpg-1.cms

I want to apologise to fans Ajay Devgan on cold wars and hot pairings - April 24, 2005

Main Aisa Hi Hoon is an important role for you.
Yes, that’s true. I’ve worked very hard for this role. I’ve never played a special person before. My character has the mind of a seven-year-old. I had to be very careful not to ham, and make it realistic.

How did you train for the role?
I met a couple of similar people. But I didn’t train much. I didn’t want to carry forward any gestures. In fact, till the first shot, I didn’t know what I’d do.

Do you fear comparisons with Hrithik Roshan, who played a mentally-challenged person in Koi Mil Gaya?
It’s a totally different genre and concept. I don’t think there is any similarity at all.

Describe your role in Kaal
It’s a thriller, so it’s difficult to share details. I don’t want the character to lose its charm. But let me say that Kaali Pratap Singh is from the jungle and has a mysterious air about him.

How could you do a film like Insaan?
Yeah, I know that I disappointed my fans. I want to apologise to them. I guess, you make some mistakes for reasons best known to yourself. I did Insaan for my relationship with Raj Kumar Santoshi. But it was a mistake.

Shouldn’t Santoshi have ensured that your role was good?
See, with Insaan things just went wrong. There’s no point blaming anyone. Things were even out of Santoshi’s control.

Was it because Akshay Kumar cut your role?
I don’t think he cut my role. But I think he should have. I was very disinterested during Insaan and told the unit to just let me go.

Are you and Akshay Kumar friends?
It’s not like we talk every day. But I have no problems working with him. He’s a good co-star.

Karan Johar says now that he’s worked with you in Kaal, he knows why Kajol is crazy about you.
I’ll take that as a compliment. Karan’s a really nice guy. His dad, Yash Johar, had a reputation as the best producer. And I’m happy that Karan has kept his reputation intact.

Is there a cold war with Shah Rukh Khan?
Shah Rukh and I have never interacted much. We don’t have anything against each other. I don’t think he’s ever said anything against me. It’s just that we don’t know each other.

How come you’ve done a Whirlpool ad with Kajol?
It just happened. I’ve never had anything against ads, I was just being lazy. They came up with a concept for the both of us together. I did a recce, found out that it’s a good home appliance brand, and did it.

How do you defend your reputation as a prankster?
I cannot work in a serious atmosphere. I like to have fun, so I keep doing a little bit here and a little bit there.

How come you’re suddenly signing so many films with Aishwarya Rai?
Not really. We’ve just signed Santoshi’s Saamna.

It’s your fourth film with her.
I’ve done more with other heroines. Ash’s a good actress and I’m comfortable with her. What’s the problem?

Quelle: http://www.indianexpress.com/india-news/...ontent_id=68884