After the commercial success of films like ‘Parmanu’, ‘Gold’, ‘Stree’, ‘Andhadhun’ etc., producers as well as established actors have decided to take the risk and back content oriented projects. Some of these projects are enough to invoke the ire of the left liberals, within or outside Bollywood. However, it doesn’t matter to the ‘stellar brigade’ of Bollywood at all.
One such risk taker is our very own Ajay Devgn. Although type cast as an action hero, Ajay Devgn is equally famous for doing intense characters with a strong conviction. From portraying the iconic Bhagat Singh in ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’, to playing the bold warrior, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, in JP Dutta’s LOC Kargil etc., Ajay Devgn is already an established player when it comes to essaying real life heroes on silver screen.
So this doesn’t come as a surprise when Ajay Devgn has four back to back biopics lined up ahead of him throughout 2019–20. To begin with, Ajay has taken up the mantle of paying tribute to the legendary Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, who had successfully assisted in the escape of his ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji, even to the peril of his own life. Directed by Lokmanya Tilak biopic fame Om Raut, who even won a Filmfare Award in Marathi for the same, this movie also stars Kajol, Jackie Shroff, Saif Ali Khan etc. in prominent roles.
If this wasn’t enough to delight the cinema goers, another biopic will surely make them sail on cloud nine. Director Amit Sharma, who has catapulted to unexpected fame with his sleeper hit ‘Badhaai Ho’, has announced that he would soon direct a biopic on Hyderabad City Police coach, Syed Abdul Rahim, who had made India an Asian powerhouse in the world of soccer. It will be produced by Boney Kapoor and Ajay Devgn will essay the lead role of the coach, whose heroics haven’t been given their due.
Even Neeraj Pandey, who has recently suffered a setback with his latest movie ‘Aiyaary’, has announced his decision to portray the journey of one of the sharpest brains of India, Acharya Chanakya, and has also confirmed that Ajay Devgn would be playing the titular role in his biopic.
But the fourth project in Ajay Devgn’s kitty is something that is not only unique, but also controversial. As of now, according to confirmed sources, Ajay has shown interest in the unique tale of Sher Singh Rana, who is not only infamous for assassinating dacoit cum politician Phoolan Devi, but has also controversially escaped the Tihar Jail in 2004 to bring back the remains of Prithviraj Chauhan, which were buried in Afghanistan.
Such projects, given the dual nature of Bollywood, aren’t anything less than grave risks. But if John Abraham has succeeded with ‘Parmanu’, Ajay Devgn is no pushover, and he has proven time and again that if he takes risks, he can set the cash registers ringing as well.