Very few can perform like Kajol: Ajay Devgan

By indiaabroad
New Delhi,(IANS) Kajol is a director's delight, says Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan of his talented wife whom he has cast in his directorial debut 'U, Me Aur Hum'.

'Very few actresses can perform like her. Doesn't every director want to work with Kajol?' Ajay told IANS.

'Working with her is a delight. When a writer writes his book, he uses words to express himself and when a director makes a film, actors like her help convey the message rightly,' added Devgan, who was in the capital Saturday to promote his upcoming film.

The actor denies he would only select Kajol for his future projects.

'Taking her in my first film doesn't mean that I would only work with her. Casting depends on who suits the role most, and for this character she fitted the bill.'

Apart from Ajay and Kajol, the movie also stars Divya Dutta, Karan Khanna, Isha Sharvani and Sumeet Raghavan. It narrates the story of three couples and how the successful marriage of one couple helps mend another's relationship and how the third is urged to tie the knot.

'I have not tried to make a pseudo intellectual film, instead a commercial one. 'U, Me Aur Hum' is about love, life and relationships. The aim is that people must come out of the theatre with a smile and feel good,' the national award winner said.

Ajay believes directing a film and acting in it is not difficult.

'Doing two things at a time requires a lot of hard work but once you are clear about what you want to do it is not that difficult.

'Moreover, direction wasn't a big change for me. I started my career as a director. I used to make small films and would do everything except acting in them. I always wanted to direct a full-length film,' he said.

'It all started with a thought that gradually took shape. Only when a second thought comes along will I roll out my next film.'

Commenting on whether his role in the film is a reflection of his personal life, he said: 'No, there are no similarities.'

'For instance, in the film the character falls in love at first sight but nothing like this has ever happened to me in real life. However, I believe in what the character believes in.'

I will work at my own speed: Kajol

IANS
She is one of the most talented actresses in Bollywood, but Kajol, who graces the screen after a gap of two years in her home production U, Me Aur Hum, says her priority is her family.

"I am not going to do four films a year. I will work, but at my own speed," Kajol told IANS.

After marriage with Ajay Devgan in 1999, the actress cut down her film roles and was occasionally seen in hits like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Fanaa.

For U, Me Aur Hum, she teams up with hubby. The film, which releases April 11, marks Ajay's directorial debut and he has written the script too.

Asked how different this film is from her other movies, the ebullient actress says: "Well, I hope it is not so different that it becomes a bad film (laughs). I won't say it is different, but it is a very special film for me."

"While working in the film I never felt constrained. In fact, it was the other way round. I felt very comfortable and at home."

Her debut film, Bekhudi, in 1992 did fairly well, but it was Baazigar with Shah Rukh Khan a year later that was her first blockbuster. She later went on to deliver some of the biggest Bollywood hits like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham opposite Shah Rukh.

Juggling multiple roles of a wife, mother, actress and judge of a TV show, Kajol is neck deep in work. "Time management is a huge issue. I'm doing it with difficulty. Even a 15-minute delay makes a lot of difference. But I think it is not impossible to manage all this, you can do it."

Commenting on the changes in the film industry in the last one decade, Kajol says this evolution is vital.

"It is very important that things should change. We should change. You will die if you don't change. In the last few years viewers have changed, their demands have changed, the business of cinema has changed, and with so many changes the parameters of Indian cinema has changed."

On rumours that she has signed Karan Johar's next venture, Kajol said: "I have not signed the film, but I am discussing it with him. When I sign, I will certainly let everybody know about it."

She is having a ball as judge on Zee TV's new reality show "Rock n Roll" along with her husband and mother, actress Tanuja. "I'm really enjoying the reality show. There is so much positive energy," she said.

She has a high opinion of her fans. "I think we underestimate our fans. They are so level-headed and know where to draw the line. Only a very small percentage of fans go overboard."