Ajay Devgn goes the Total Dhamaal way

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Ajay Devgn goes the Total Dhamaal way

The actor is backexploring comedy with an ensemble cast in Indra Kumar’s Total Dhamaal

By Arti Dani

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Published: Sat 23 Feb 2019, 2:34 PM

Last updated: Mon 25 Feb 2019, 11:42 AM

Ajay Devgn said yes to Total Dhamaal straightaway after hearing the script of the movie. This Indra Kumar directorial which is the third film in the comedy entertainer franchise Dhamaal released in the UAE on Thursday.  The second franchise film was Double Dhamaal. 
Total Dhamaal is a multi-starrer with Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Ajay Devgn, Javed Jaffrey, Arshad Warsi, Esha Gupta and Riteish Deshmukh. The film marks Madhuri’s on-screen reunion with Anil after two decades.
While talking to City Times from Mumbai, Ajay said that all it took was two hours narration for him to say ‘yes’ to the comic caper. “The director gave me a two-hour narration and when I heard the script, I was laughing for the entire two hours. It was hilarious. And then I told him, if we made the film the same way how he narrated it to me, then I was ready to do the film. I recently saw the film, and it is a two-hour film, and I can assure you that I was laughing the entire time. So I am happy.” 
Of late, Ajay Devgn who is known as a painfully shy person and an introvert has been giving a lot of statements.   Both him and Kajol recently spoke about the  #MeToo movement and how it has allowed people to open up about their bad experiences and be heard, and also how it is essential for people to know both sides of a story. When we asked Ajay, what changed since he has opened up a lot more, he said, “I don’t think that I have changed. I stay silent most of the time. I still don’t talk too much. But yes, whenever I have a release, I am required to promote my film; otherwise, you won’t see me anywhere.” 
His wife Kajol is an avid reader and Ajay revealed to us that even though he likes reading a book once in a while, he prefers watching movies in his spare time. 
Total Dhamaal will not release in Pakistan in the wake of the terror attack on CRPF jawans in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The film was supposed to release at the end of 2018, but due to post-production extension, the film was postponed to February 2019. Here are the excerpts from our conversation with Ajay.
 
Is it different to work in a multi-starrer film as compared to a solo lead film because the pressure is shared by the entire cast and not just one actor?
I don’t know. I think to work in a film like this where you have a lot of friends around and so many people around, is a lot more fun. You look forward to going for the shoot. Honestly speaking, in a solo film, you give your shot, wrap, and then you just run home. In a movie like this, if one of us wraps up our portion, we don’t want to go home, we sit there and chat till everyone finishes. It was this kind of a rapport. 
 
Everyone much appreciated your presence in Simmba. Did you anticipate your special appearance would create so much buzz?
We all knew that people would appreciate the presence of Singham and they will love the entry. But when we saw the reaction, it was overwhelming. We didn’t expect this kind of love and appreciation, but it has made me happy. 
 
Are you guys trying to create a Marvel kind of universe following Simmba where Rohit Shetty’s heroes come together and fight the goons in his movies?
Hopefully, if things fall into place, then that is the kind of universe and franchise that we are planning to create. 
 
You have had a solid working and personal relationship with Rohit Shetty. Your collaboration with him in movies like Golmaal, Singham, etc has given him the title of a ‘Blockbuster’ director. Do you feel a bit jealous when he works with other actors?
Not at all, in fact, he always narrates to me whatever he is planning to make and we always sit and discuss who should be cast in the film. That’s the kind of rapport and understanding that I share with Rohit, and hence there is no possessiveness. Whenever there is a right script and opportunity, we will collaborate for sure. 
 
Karan Johar said it is difficult to cast two male actors together because male actors have big egos. Do you agree?
I do agree with his statement to a point because not everyone is similar. Sometimes the ego clash happens and it becomes very difficult casting male actors in a multi-starrer film. Though it is not entirely right, but I agree it is very tough to get two leading male actors together for a film. 
Your next film Taanaji is a historical film, do you think a celebrity has a social responsibility as well?
I think that celebrities have creative responsibilities to a point, but the primary job of an artist is to entertain people hence you have to strike a point and stay in that scenario -  if you can say something nice as well, it would be lovely. Though it is not often that you get a chance to do that. You have to balance it out. 
 
 

I don’t like my kids getting papped: Ajay
Social media has changed the way we look at celebrities. These days more and more people are interested in getting a glimpse into the personal lives of the stars. They want to know what outfit celebrities are wearing to the gym, at the airport, for a movie outing, etc. Over the last few months, celebrity kids are in the focus of the paparazzi. The shutterbugs are constantly trailing Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s two-year-old son Taimur Ali Khan. Ajay’s kids are also continually photographed during their outings. Ajay told us that it disturbs him to know that his kids are being monitored by the paparazzi. “It bothers me, and I am not comfortable with my kids being photographed by the paparazzi, but that is something which is beyond our control now. I keep requesting the paparazzi to leave my kids alone as much as possible because they are not part of the deal of Kajol and my stardom. I think kids need their space. They are too small, and they don’t understand the business and glamour side of this world. I am not just talking about my children but everyone’s children. I hope the paparazzi realise that they need to have a boundary. It is fine to take pictures, but sometimes they need to draw the line.” 
 
 
Will Ajay work in a web series? 
“I think it (the digital space) is an excellent space and a great platform to show your abilities and has scope for some great performances. I would also love to do something interesting in that space. I have not been offered anything interesting as yet in the digital area. In terms of movies, I am doing a romantic comedy next followed by Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior which will come out in November.”
arti@khaleejtimes.com 



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