Published 13:35 IST, June 2nd 2019
Ajay Devgn is 'touched and humbled' by PM Narendra Modi's letter on the demise of his father Veeru Devgan. Read here
Ajay Devgn's father Veeru Devgan passed away on May 27 after suffering a cardiac arrest, following which a number of celebrities extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Several celebrities from the film industry expressed solidarity with the Devgn family after the death of Ajay’s father, veteran action director Veeru Devgan on Monday. Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were seen spotted at the family’s residence to offer their condolences to the family.
And now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a personalised letter to the actor and his family on the demise of his father. Ajay Devgn took to his Twitter handle and wrote: "My Mother & entire Devgan family are deeply touched & humbled in silence by this thoughtful gesture from our Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi.
Thank you Sir. 🙏" [sic]
Here's the letter and post:
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Shri Veeru Devgn who was widely respected for his outstanding work across various domains in the Hindi film industry. This is a great loss for the industry.
"Shri Devgan worked as stuntman, action choreographer, director, producer and more. This is the sign of a man who completed dedicated himself to his chosen field and hence, kept discovering new ways of contributing to it... I convey my deepest condolences to Shri Veeru Devgan's family, friends, admirers and the film industry as a whole," the prime minister said in the letter dated May 28, 2019.
Modi praised Veeru Devgan for his "personal daredevilry" and for pushing the limits as an action choreographer.
"No wonder he was universally loved and respected in the film industry."
He added that the action director never cared about getting the "credit" but always believed in giving his best.
"There is something deeply moving about people like Shri Devgan who took great personal risks to enthrall audiences in an era of no 'visual effects' , knowing well that the glory of taking those risks would not be credited to them. It is said that great things can be achieved if we do not care who gets the credit but concentrate on doing the best we can."
The PM said Veeru Devgan will continue to inspire "risk-takers in the world because it is those who take risks that define the direction our world takes."
Veeru was suffering from breathing problems after which he was immediately admitted to Surya Hospital in Santa Cruz. However, his condition turned critical and he suffered a cardiac arrest. Ajay took to his twitter handle and wrote, "We are grateful to all of you for the way you have shared our loss. Thank you all for the prayers and support".
Devgan has choreographed action scenes in more than 80 films including 'Hindustan Ki Kasam', where his son Ajay played the lead alongside Amitabh Bachchan. He was also the producer of the film.
He has also acted in a couple of films such as 'Sar Utha Ke Jiyo', 'Kranti', 'Mr. Natwarlal', and 'Muqabla', to name a few. He has also directed a film – Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) which starred son Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Manisha Koirala and Sushmita Sen among others.
His filmography includes films like Inkaar (1977), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Kranti (1981), Himmatwala (1983), Shahenshah (1988), Tridev (1989), Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) and more.
(With inputs from PTI)
Updated 15:53 IST, June 2nd 2019