From dating guru to extra-marital affairs: 8 trivias about Singham Returns star Ajay Devgn

Vishal Veeru Devgan aka Ajay Devgn grew up on the outer fringes of the Bollywood circle. Although from a film family, being the son of a stunt choreographer Veeru Devgn didn’t quite quality him as a star kid. His entry in Bollywood though was no less ceremonious than the launch of many star kids who joined Bollywood after him. In 1991, his debut film, Phool Aur Kaante not only became one of the most successful films of the year but also successfully established Devgn as the new action hero of Bollywood. However, when 19-year-old Devgn was offered the film, he had very different plans for himself. As a student at Mithibai College in Mumbai he dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and was busy making documentaries and enjoying college life when his father forced him to take up the offer of Phool Aur Kaante. The rest, as they say is the IMDB update of his over hundred films, two of which has even won him national awards. [caption id=“attachment_1664769” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Courtesy: Facebook[/caption] In over two decades in Bollywood, Devgn went from being the action hero in films like Dilwale (1994), Vijaypath (1994) and Jaan (1996) to the brooding romantic hero in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998),  Kachche Dhaage (1999)and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). The actor also dabbled in comedies and while most of them were duds,  Golmaal  (2006) became fairly popular with the audiences. However, it were films like Zakhm (1998), Omkara (2006) and Company (2002) that established Devgn as a talented and versatile star. 2013 was not particularly good for Devgn with his two big releases —  Himmatwala and Satyagraha turning out to be the biggest duds of the year. In fact, the actor has not delivered a successful film after his 2011 release , Singham. So a lot is riding for Devgn as he gears up for the release of the sequel of Singham, Singham Returns this Friday. With Singham Returns, Devgn hopes to break the spell of flops. So, as we wait for the film to release, here are some interesting trivia about Devgn that you might not have heard before: Childhood obsession with cubs: Ajay Devgn often visited the sets of  Mr Natwarlal were his father Veeru Devgnwas the fight master and although there was Amitabh Bachchan on the sets working with his dad, what gripped Devgn’s fascination was a tiger cub. Despite everyone’s effort to keep the little Devgn away from the cub, the actor refused to leave the animal alone. He also posed for a photo with the cub. Here, take a look. Ajay Devgn is often wrongly credited as the child artist in Pyari Behna: Although the actor debuted in 1991, in many new articles the actor is wronged credited as the child artist in the film Pyari Behna. However, it has been clarified that the child artist in that film is Master Chotu and not Devgn, although they look uncannily similar. Take a look:

Wife Kajol often took Devgn’s advice on boy problems: They met on the sets of Hulchul but did not start dating until they started working in Gunda Raj. However, the two were good friends back and Kajol often sought Devgn’s advice on relationships with other men.  In an interview , Devgn’s wife revealed, “It was in the middle of a shot of one of the films we were doing together, when I realized that Ajay was going to play a very crucial role in my life. Ironically, I was dating someone else at the time and used to often solicit relationship advice from Ajay!” Ajay Devgn was to play Arjun (Salman Khan’s role) in Karan Arjun: Reportedly Devgn was the first choice to play the role of Arjun in Rakesh’s Roshan’s film Karan Arjun. However, it later went to Salman Khan. However, this isn’t the only hit film that did not happen for Devgn. Reportedly, Yash Chopra wanted him to play Shah Rukh Khan’s role in Darr, but that too didn’t pan out. Owns a personal aircraft: In 2010**,** Devgn bought a six-seater aircraft which the actor uses for both business and personal trips. Allegedly had an extramarital affair with Kangana Ranaut: Ajay Devgn has always been a ladies man. Despite his reserve exterior the actor is known to be a prankster and has often enjoyed good camaraderie with his female co-stars. Although before his marriage with Kajol he was linked with many leading ladies, it is believed that he had an affair with Raveena Tandon and later fell madly in love with Karisma Kapoor and left her. However, when Kajol came along these speculations about Devgn’s personal life died down and the two tied knot on ….  However, it is believed that the actor had an affair with Kangana Ranaut during the shoot of Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. Media reports claim that it was only after Kajol threatened to leave the house and take the kids along, did the affair end. While the couple are still together, Ranaut and Devgn has not been spotted together since then and in fact Ranaut didn’t even show up for the promotions of Tezz, her last film with Devgn. Ajay Devgn loved Arun Jaitley’s 2014 budget:  Ajay Devgn is very close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has hosted his Google hangout during his election campaign this year. The actor was also pleased to see this year’s Union budget. Devgn took to Twitter to congratulate the new government. He wrote: “I feel #Budget2014 is a very balanced budget overall. Thanks to @narendramodi and @arunjaitley.” The actor also added: “Particularly excited to see the emphasis on encouraging entrepreneurs & youth, who will drive the next wave of growth in India. #Budget2014”. Ajay Devgn trained for two years to get six-packs for Singham: The actor’s character in Rohit Shetty’s Singham and Singham Returns personifies machismo and heroism and therefore it was very important for him to build up a Hercules like physique. While Devgn was always into actions and stunts, in 2009 he concentrated on body building . After training rigorously for two years and maintaining a very strict diet, did the actor finally achieve that. Read more about it here. Singham Returns releases on 15 August, 2014.