Ajay Devgn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ajay Devgn
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Devgn in 2025
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| Born |
Vishal Veeru Devgan
2 April 1969 (age 56) |
| Education | Mithibai College |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) |
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| Family |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2016) |
Vishal Veeru Devgan (born 2 April 1969), known as Ajay Devgn, is a famous Indian actor, film director, and producer. He is one of the most active actors in Hindi cinema, also known as Bollywood.
Ajay Devgn has acted in over 100 films. He has won many awards, including four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. In 2016, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri. This is the country's fourth-highest award for civilians.
Devgn became a star with his first film, the action romance Phool Aur Kaante (1991). He then starred in many action films like Jigar (1992) and Dilwale (1994). He also played romantic roles in movies such as Ishq (1997) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). His strong acting in Zakhm (1998) earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor.
In the 2000s, Devgn received praise for films like Company (2002) and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002). For playing Bhagat Singh in The Legend of Bhagat Singh, he won his second National Film Award for Best Actor. He had a big comeback in 2010 with movies like Golmaal 3 and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. He continued to have success with films like Singham (2011), Drishyam (2015), and Raid (2018).
His most successful films include Tanhaji (2020), Drishyam 2 (2022), and Singham Again (2024). Singham Again became his highest-grossing film ever. For his role in Tanhaji, he won his third National Film Award for Best Actor.
Devgn also owns a film production company called Ajay Devgn FFilms, which he started in 1999. He often works with director Rohit Shetty. He is married to actress Kajol, and they have two children.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Ajay Devgn was born Vishal Veeru Devgan on 2 April 1969. He comes from a Punjabi Hindu family from Amritsar, Punjab. His family has strong ties to the Hindi film industry in Mumbai.
His father, Veeru Devgan, was a famous stunt director and action-film director. His mother, Veena Devgan, is a film producer. His cousin, Anil Devgan, is also a filmmaker. Ajay went to Silver Beach High School in Juhu and later studied at Mithibai College.
Personal Life
Relationships and Family
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Ajay Devgn started dating actress Karisma Kapoor while filming Jigar (1992). They broke up in 1995. In the same year, he began a relationship with actress Kajol. They were working together on the film Gundaraj (1995). People in the media called them "an unlikely pair" because they had very different personalities.
On 24 February 1999, Ajay and Kajol got married. They had a traditional Maharashtrian Hindu ceremony at the Devgan family home. They have two children. Their daughter, Nysa, was born on 20 April 2003. Their son, Yug, was born on 13 September 2010.
Beliefs and Practices
Ajay Devgn is a practicing Shaiva Hindu. He often wears a rudraksha bead, which is important in his faith. Religious themes sometimes appear in his films.
He visits Ajmer Sharif, a Sufi shrine, every year. He also observes the Ramadan fast sometimes. He says this shows his respect for secularism and for his Muslim colleagues.
Name Change
In August 2009, Ajay Devgn changed the spelling of his last name. He changed it from Devgan to Devgn. This change was made at the request of his family.
Career Highlights
Becoming a Star (1991–1999)
When Ajay Devgn joined the film industry in 1991, he changed his stage name. His birth name was Vishal, but he chose "Ajay." This was because several other actors named Vishal were starting their careers at the same time.
He began his acting career with Madhoo in the action romance Phool Aur Kaante. For this film, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. In his very first scene, Devgn did a split while balancing between two motorcycles. His next film was Jigar (1992), a Bollywood martial arts film with Karisma Kapoor. It was a big hit, becoming the seventh-highest-grossing film of that year.
In 1994, Devgn starred in Harry Baweja's romantic action film Dilwale. He played a character with an intellectual impairment. This movie was one of the top-grossing films of the year. He also starred in Suhaag with Akshay Kumar, which was also very successful.
In 1997, Devgn starred in Indra Kumar's romantic comedy Ishq. He acted alongside Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Kajol. This film was a big success, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.
In 1998, Devgn starred in Major Saab with Amitabh Bachchan. This movie was successful. He then acted with Kajol in the romantic comedy Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha. Devgn's next film was Mahesh Bhatt's drama Zakhm. He played a man tired of religious conflict. Devgn won several awards for his performance, including the National Film Award for Best Actor.
In 1999, Devgn starred in the musical romance Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. He played Vanraj, a man who helps his wife reunite with her true love. Critics praised Devgn's acting in this film. It was a commercial success and a major turning point in his career. He also worked with director Milan Luthria in Kachche Dhaage, which was a box-office hit.
New Challenges and Acclaim (2000–2009)
In 2000, Devgn starred in his first film as a producer, Raju Chacha, with Kajol. The film did moderately well.
The year 2002 was very important for Devgn. He starred in three different types of films. First, he played a gangster named Malik in Ram Gopal Varma's Company. Both the film and Devgn's acting received great reviews. Later that year, he played Bhagat Singh in the biopic The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Critics highly praised his performance. This film won two National Film Awards, and Devgn won his second National Film Award for Best Actor. He also starred in Deewangee, where he played a villain. For this role, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain.
In 2003, Devgn starred in the horror film Bhoot, which was a critical and commercial success. He then appeared in Prakash Jha's Gangaajal. Devgn received his fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role in this film. He also worked with Rohit Shetty for the first time in Zameen.
In 2004, Devgn played a villain again in the action thriller Khakee. His performance was well-received. He also starred in Rituparno Ghosh's drama Raincoat, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
In 2006, Devgn played Othello in Omkara, a Hindi version of William Shakespeare's play. This film was highly praised by critics. In the same year, Devgn starred in Rohit Shetty's comedy Golmaal, which later had two successful sequels.
In 2008, Devgn made his debut as a director with the film U Me Aur Hum. He also starred in it with Kajol. The film did reasonably well and received good reviews for his acting and direction. He also starred in Rohit Shetty's comedy Golmaal Returns, which was a financial success.
Continued Success (2010–Present)
In 2010, Devgn had a very successful year. He starred in the comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? and the political thriller Raajneeti, both of which were big hits. He then starred in Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. Critics highly praised Devgn's performance in this film, calling it one of his best. This film earned him his sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Later in 2010, Devgn worked with Rohit Shetty again in Golmaal 3. This film was a huge blockbuster and the most successful in the Golmaal series.
In 2011, Devgn starred in Rohit Shetty's action film Singham. He played a tough, honest police officer. His performance was widely praised and the film was a major hit. It earned him his seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
In 2012, Devgn starred in Rohit Shetty's film Bol Bachchan and Son of Sardaar, both of which were successful. In 2014, he returned as the police officer in Singham Returns, which was also a big hit at the box office.
In 2015, Devgn starred in Drishyam. The film received positive reviews, and Devgn's role as a protective father was highly praised. It was a successful film.
In 2016, Devgn produced and starred in Shivaay, an action drama. In 2017, he starred in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again, which was a huge blockbuster, earning over 310 crores worldwide.
In 2018, Devgn starred in Raid, playing an honest tax officer. This film was a commercial success. In early 2020, Devgn played the 17th-century military leader Tanaji Malusare in the film Tanhaji. This film was released on 10 January 2020. It won three National Film Awards, including Best Popular Film and Best Actor for Devgn. Tanhaji was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2020. It also marked Ajay Devgn's 100th film as an actor.
In 2021, he had a cameo in Sooryavanshi, playing his popular character DCP Bajirao Singham again.
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In 2022, Devgn made his debut in web series with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness. He also directed his third film, Runway 34. He had important cameo roles in Gangubai Kathiawadi and RRR, receiving much praise. Later that year, he starred in Drishyam 2, which became a major success and his second highest-grossing film after Tanhaji. In 2023, Devgn starred in and directed Bholaa, a remake of a Tamil film.
In 2024, Devgn had four major film releases. The horror film Shaitaan was a huge hit. He then played Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim in Maidaan. His final release of 2024 was Singham Again, the fifth film in Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe. This action film became his highest-grossing movie ever.
In 2025, Devgn made a guest appearance in his nephew Aaman Devgn's first film Azaad. His first major release of the year, Raid 2, was a box-office hit. He is also set to release two more major films, Son of Sardaar 2 and De De Pyaar De 2.
Other Works
Film Production
Ajay Devgn FFilms (ADF) is a film production and distribution company. Actor Ajay Devgn started it in 2000. It is based in Mumbai and mainly produces Hindi films. In 2000, ADF released its first film, Raju Chacha. Ajay Devgn and his wife Kajol starred in the film.
In 2008, Devgn co-produced the drama U Me Aur Hum, which was also his first film as a director. Devgn played the main role with Kajol.
In 2009, Devgn produced and acted in All the Best. Rohit Shetty directed this film. It was a moderate commercial success.
In 2014, ADF produced Singham Returns, starring Devgn and Kareena Kapoor. In 2016, Devgn produced and starred in Shivaay, which was one of his production company's most expensive films.
In 2017, ADF worked with Fox Star Studios to produce Total Dhamaal. This film starred Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, and Anil Kapoor.
In 2018, Ajay Devgn produced his first Marathi film, Aapla Manus. It was a dramatic thriller.
Visual Effects Company
In October 2015, Devgn started a visual effects company called NY VFXWAALA. He named it after his children. This company has worked on many big films. Some of these include Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Bajirao Mastani, and Simmba. The company won the Best Special Effects award for the film Shivaay (2016).
In the Media
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Ajay Devgn is known as a "private person" who is not always comfortable around many people. He has been in the film industry for over three decades. Filmmakers trust him, and his fans are very loyal. He is seen as a reliable star who has always stayed relevant.
Devgn is one of the most popular and highest-paid celebrities in India. He has often appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list since 2012. In 2018, he reached the 10th position. He was also honored at the Bollywood Walk of Fame in Bandra Bandstand, where his handprint is kept.
See also
In Spanish: Ajay Devgan para niños
- List of Indian actors
