23 Lesser-Known Facts About Ajay Devgn One Of The Most Popular Actors Of Hindi Cinema

While he is known for the intensity that he puts into the character he portrays, Ajay Devgn has also done justice to all his characters in light-hearted movies. His deep voice coupled with his piercing gaze and his trademark style of dialogue delivery with a slightly-tilted head, all true to his personality, make him one of the most influential and venerable actors of this country. In a career spanning almost three decades, Ajay Devgn has done some exceptional work in the Indian cinema, and has bagged many awards in the process. However, even though the lives of film stars are an open book there still remain a lot of secrets unknown to even their ardent of devotees.

Let us throw some light Ajay Devgn’s life that, we believe, are not known even by most of the movie-buffs!

1.Born in a Punjabi family

Ajay Devgn was born on 2nd April 1969 in New Delhi to a Punjabi family who have their ancestral roots in Amritsar.

2. Alma mater

Ajay did his schooling from Silver Beach High School in Juhu and then went to Mithabai College, Mumbai.

3. His father was a stuntman in Bollywood

Ajay’s father Veeru Devgan was a stuntman and action-film director in the 70s and 80s; his mother Veena Devgan was a film producer.

4. Did you know that he has a brother?

His brother, Anil Devgan, is a filmmaker and a screen writer.

5. His real name is not Ajay Devgan, it is Vishal Devgan

He changed his name to Ajay at the time of his launch in 1991 film Phool Aur Kaante as there were many other actors with the name ‘Vishal’ who were being launched around the same time.

6. No, his last name is not spelt ‘Devgan’

If you thought we were typing his last name incorrectly all this while, let us reveal another fact. Ajay Devgn officially changed his last name from Devgan to Devgn for personal reasons in August 2009.

7. Ajay Devgn says he’s been put behind bars twice

In a interview with Mid-Day, the actor revealed that he was a total “gunda” during his college days. He said,

“I have been behind bars twice inside a lock-up; even sneaked out my father’s gun. And guys, that’s illegal.”

8. He is the only Bollywood male superstar after Big B with two National Awards

Ajay Devgn has won two National Film Awards for the movies Zakhm and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, respectively.

9. Ajay Devgn is a Padma Shri recipient

He was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour of the country, by the Government of India in 2016. Devgn has also been honoured with the CII Excellence Award in Cinema in October 2015.

10. The actor is a staunch Hindu devotee of Lord Shiva

Devgn practices Shaivi Hinduism and noticeably wears a Rudraksh. His incline towards the Lord Shiva is seen in his movies as well.

11. He is the first Bollywood actor who bought a private jet

He is the first ever Bollywood personality to own a private jet. He uses this 6-seater for both personal and professional purposes.

12. His split ride on two bikes in his debut film is considered a cult action stunt

Although this might be a fact known to many that he debuted with the movie Phool aur Kaante in the year 1991 and its songs were a rage back then. However, not many would know or remember that he won the Filmfare Award for the Best Debut for the mentioned movie. Most of us would still remember his entry – a split on two bikes! It is by the far one of the most iconic introduction scenes in the history of Bollywood!

13. Kajol was NOT his first love

Back in the early 90s while shooting for the movie Jigar, Devgn and Karisma Kapoor got into a relationship. However, this relationship did not last long and ended in 1995. The same year, he started seeing Kajol while working together in the movie Gundaraj.

14. Marriage with Kajol

Ajay Devgn married Kajol Mukherjee in a traditional Maharashtrian Hindu ceremony on 24 February 1999. The couple has two childrens, daughter Nysa and son Yug.

Also read- Ajay Devgn And Kajol’s Love Story Will Make You Sing ‘Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha’

15. Kangana Ranaut allegedly got involved with Ajay Devgn when the two were shooting for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

As per few media reports Ajay and Kangana got along well into a love affair with no strings attached. Things got out of hand when Kangana got emotionally involved with Ajay and this did not go well with him as he had no intentions of leaving his wife, Kajol. In a controversial interview with Stardust magazine, Kangana even went on record to say that getting involved with a married man was a mistake.

Also read: Rumoured Love Affairs Of Ajay Devgn, Due To Which Once Kajol Wanted To Leave Home With Kids

16. Devgn owns a Vfx company

He owns a production house which is named Ajay Devgn FFilms and was formed in 2000. In 2015, Devgn also started a Vfx company called NY VFXWAALA, which is named after his kids – Nysa and Yug.

17. He made his directorial debut 11 years ago

The movie U Me Aur Hum starred Devgn and his wife Kajol in the lead. It didn’t do well at the Box Office but was nevertheless a milestone for the actor.

18. He would have played Karan in Karan Arjun

Ajay Devgn was the first choice for the role of Karan in the movie Karan Arjun. However, since the dates clashed with his film Vijaypath that he had already committed to, he declined the offer and it went to Salman Khan.

19. Phool aur Kaante was NOT his first movie

While Phool Aur Kaante was his debut movie as a leading actor, he had acted previously in a movie called Pyari Behna in 1985. He played the character of ‘Master Chotu’.

20. He is not as serious in real life as he looks in films

While most of the audience perceives Devgn as a very serious and intense kind of a person, however, in real life he is known to be quite a prankster.

21. And Ajay Devgn has not seen DDLJ

He confessed on a talk show that till date, he has not watched one of the most popular movies of his wife Kajol, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, that was released way back in 1995.

22. He would have played Bajirao in Bajirao Mastani

It is believed that Devgn was the first choice for the role of Bajirao in the movie Bajirao Mastani. However, it didn’t materialise due to pecuniary matters.

23. Ajay and Rohit Shetty are childhood friends

Rohit Shetty is his childhood friend and they used to hang out at birthday parties together in their childhood days. Also, their fathers had the same occupation as they were popular action directors of their times.

If you’ve happened to see him in an episode of Koffee with Karan in the recent times, you would’ve gathered that he is more of an introvert and a complete homebody. *Joke Alert* Maybe that is how he preserves all the intensity! His performances in movies like Gangajal, Singham, Drishyam, Zakhm, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Apharan, Omkara and many others, have been widely appreciated and critically acclaimed. Till date, he remains one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry and has has proved his mettle in acting over the decades.