In the showbiz industry where star-actors are known for concealing their real age and looking rejuvenated most of the time, it’s commendable that the macho star Ajay Devgn has no hang-ups of openly celebrating his 50th birthday.
Which he did at the trailer launch of his upcoming rom-com film De De Pyaar De which has his Ruk Ruk Ruk iconic (1994) song co-star tantalizing Tabu once again paired opposite him. As is the filmy trend of middle-aged heroes being paired opposite heroines half their age, out here young ravishing Rakul Preet Singh is paired opposite the dashing Devgn .
“In previous movies of mine I have stood with my legs apart on two motor-bikes, on two horses and now its on two cars. Previously it was a physical split but this time it’s an emotional dilemma for me between two attractive females,” chuckles Ajay who is known to be a cool, smart prankster on his sets.
Quizzed about why Hindi movies heroines have a limited shelf-life, vis-a-vis Hollywood leading ladies, the rugged ‘Singham’ actor counters, "Things are different than what they were ten years ago. Now they have more shelf life or as much shelf life as male actors. There is no difference today but earlier there was. We have Tabu and Kajol and so many others still working.”
Still fighting fit and a romantic hit fitness-freak Ajay defies his age on-screen"Ageing is about how you feel and not about the number. All my contemporaries are so fit. I think staying fit must be a conscious decision because the intention was that what you could do 25 years ago... You could still do it. I am happy that I can do exactly that," insists Devgan who has a huge loyal fan-following among NRIs.
The rom-com De De Pyaar De, directed by Akiv Ali and produced by T-Series and Luv Ranjan, releases on May 17.
Chaitanya D. Padukone is an award-winning senior Bollywood film and music-biz journalist and recipient of Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contribution to showbiz journalism.