Published 15:06 IST, October 15th 2019
Ajay Devgn' father Veeru Devgn's legacy as an action choreographer
Ajay Devgn is the son of legendary action choreographer Veeru Devgn. Here is a bit about the career of Veeru Devgn and its importance to Indian cinema.
Ajay Devgn is one of the most popular Bollywood actors and has a huge fan following. The versatile actor's father was also once a part of the film industry. Though unlike his son Ajay, Veeru Devgn was not an actor and was instead an action choreographer and had also briefly worked as a director. Veeru Devgn sadly passed away this year in May but his legacy lives on with his children as well as with the countless movies that he helped create.
His personal life and children
Veeru Devgn was born in 1934 in Amritsar, Punjab. The actor later got married to Veena and the couple had four children, including Ajay and Anil Devgn. He was not a public celebrity and rarely appeared in front of an audience or the press. The last time Veeru Devgn made a public appearance was in February 2019 during the screening of the movie Total Dhamaal.
Work in the Bollywood film industry
Veeru Devgn was heavily involved as a stunt director or stunt choreographer for a multitude of Bollywood movies. He had been credited in over a 100 movies for his work in the stunt department. The most well-known movies that he had worked for include Mr. India (1987), Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993) and Jigar (1992), all of which credited him for stunts. Veeru had also worked in other avenues of filmmaking. While he is mainly remembered for his contribution to stunts in Indian cinema, Veeru had also worked as a producer, director as well as a supporting role actor.
Veeru Devgn had only ever worked as an actor in five movies and he never solidified himself as a successful actor. The five movies that Veeru had acted in include Sar Utha Ke Jiyo (1998), Kranti (1981), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Muqabla (1979) and Ek Khiladi Bawan Pattey (1972). As a producer, Veeru Devgn has been credited for the movies Dil Kya Kare (1999) and Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999). He had only ever directed one movie which was Hindustan Ki Kasam. Interestingly, He had worked as an assistant director in the movies Vishwatma (1992) and Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai (1990).
Veeru Devgn was one of the pioneers of the Indian cinema's action genres. He tragically passed away on May 27, 2019, at the age of 85. His work as a stunt director for classic Bollywood movies is often under-appreciated. Without him, several of the older Bollywood action movies might not have had the same flare as they do now.
Updated 19:42 IST, October 15th 2019