In a recent interview with India Today, Mahesh Bhatt talked about meeting Ajay Devgn for the first time. He explained that the unique relationship he had with Ajay’s father Veeru Devgn played a key role in their collaboration.Mahesh revealed that Veeru, who had worked with him on Mera Gaon Mera Desh, had recommended Ajay for a role, saying that if Ajay worked with him, he would become a successful actor.
Mahesh recalled their first encounter, saying, “The first time I saw him, he was crossing the street near Chandan cinema in Juhu and I stopped the car and called him. When he came, I saw a silence in his eyes. I was like I spoke to your father and he wants me to work with you and we will. And he looked at me and he knew that I meant it and I saw in his eyes that he knew that one day I will go to him.”
He also mentioned casting Ajay in Naajayaz, where he worked alongside Naseeruddin Shah. Mahesh noted that while Ajay’s performance in Naajayaz was not his best, it was still impressive, and even Naseeruddin Shah was surprised by his talent.
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He added, “It’s (Naajayaz) not among his very good performances but he was very good in that film. Then I was doing the autobiographical film of my mother, I just thought of him and called him. I think its because the trust I had. An actor is the most vulnerable creature. The director’s heart has to be like a mother’s womb, and he must create an environment where the actor feels he can be safe and perhaps that was what with Ajay Devgn.”
Zakhm, released in 1998, was inspired by Mahesh Bhatt’s mother’s life and starred Ajay Devgn, Pooja Bhatt, Nagarjuna, and Kunal Kemmu. The film earned Ajay Devgn his first National Award for Best Actor. After Zakhm, Mahesh Bhatt took a break from directing but made a return with Sadak 2 in 2020. He has stated that Sadak 2 will be his last film because he thinks he is outdated.
