When Ajay Devgn’s father asked Mahesh Bhatt to make him an ‘actor’; filmmaker recalls meeting him on the street: ‘I saw it in his eyes’

Ajay Devgn, who made his debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991, is one of the greatest actors of the Hindi film industry. Ajay was recently seen in Neeraj Pandey’s directorial Aur Mein Kahaan Dum Tha. Did you know that the actor was once recommended by his father Veeru Devgan to work with Mahesh Bhatt?

Recently, during an interview with India Today, Mahesh Bhatt recalled the time when he worked as an assistant director in Mera Gaon Mera Desh and Veeru Devgan was the assistant action director in this film. Bhatt told that Veeru had asked him to cast his son Ajay Devgan in his films.

“He himself told me why don’t you take my son? If he works with you, he will become an actor because he is already a star,” the filmmaker said.

For those who don’t know, Ajay became a star with his first film Phool Aur Kaante.

Mahesh Bhatt also spoke about his first meeting with Ajay Devgn in Juhu. Bhatt recalled that he stopped his car and called him on the road. The filmmaker revealed that his eyes lit up and he told Ajay about the discussion he had with his father Veeru and confirmed working with him.

“He looked at me and he understood this is what I wanted and I saw in his eyes that he knew one day I would get to him,” he said.

After this, Bhatt offered him the film Naajayaz with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in 1995. He told that Ajay was very scared to work with him. Later Naseer praised Ajay’s acting in the film.

Najayaz also starred Juhi Chawla, Deepak Tijori, Ashish Vidyarthi, Gulshan Grover and Reema Lagoo.

Ajay Devgn’s notable works in Bollywood include Vijaypath, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ishq, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Dilwale, The Legend of Bhagat Singh and more. His latest film, ‘Auron Mein Kahaan Dum Tha’ released on August 2, co-starring Tabu. The film clashed with Janhvi Kapoor’s film Uljhan.

Mahesh Bhatt is known for directing films like Saaransh, Arth, Naam, Daddy, Jurm, Aashiqui and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.