Ajay Devgn is one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring leading men, known for his understated intensity on screen and his willingness to move between action, drama and comedy. From his 1991 debut in Phool Aur Kaante to the record-breaking Singham Again in 2024, he has built one of the longest and most consistent careers in Bollywood.
He has appeared in 140+ films, won three National Film Awards for acting plus additional National Awards for production and visual effects, received India’s Padma Shri honour, and has directed three features through his own production house, Ajay Devgn FFilms. He is married to actress Kajol, and the couple have two children, Nysa and Yug.
In 2025 and 2026 he kept up a packed release schedule with Raid 2, Son of Sardaar 2 and De De Pyaar De 2, and he has Dhamaal 4, Drishyam: The Conclusion and further films in the pipeline.
Ajay Devgn Quick Facts
| Full Name | Vishal Veeru Devgan |
| Profession | Actor, Film Director, Film Producer |
| Date of Birth | 2 April 1969 |
| Age | 57 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 1991–present |
| Debut | Phool Aur Kaante (1991) |
| Breakthrough | Phool Aur Kaante (1991); Jigar (1992) |
| Total Movies | 147 films (141 released, 6 upcoming) |
| Known For | Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Gangaajal, Omkara, the Golmaal and Singham franchises, Drishyam, Tanhaji |
| Parents | Veeru Devgan (father, stunt choreographer and director), Veena Devgan (mother, film producer) |
| Spouse | Kajol (married 1999) |
| Children | Nysa Devgan, Yug Devgan |
| Education | Silver Beach High School, Juhu; Mithibai College, Mumbai |
Ajay Devgn Career in Numbers
Ajay Devgn has appeared in 147 films across a career spanning more than three decades, from Phool Aur Kaante (1991) to announced projects for 2027. Of these, 141 have been released and 6 are upcoming, including Dhamaal 4 and Drishyam: The Conclusion.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Films | 147 (141 released, 6 upcoming) |
| Career Span | 35+ years (1991–present) |
| National Film Awards (Acting) | 3 (Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Tanhaji) |
| Other National Film Awards | Best Feature Film in Hindi (Raincoat, producer); Best Popular Film (Tanhaji); Best Special Effects (Shivaay) |
| Notable Year | 2024 – Singham Again became the year’s highest-grossing Indian film |
| Major Breakthrough | Phool Aur Kaante (1991); 100th film milestone with Tanhaji (2020) |
| Civilian Honour | Padma Shri (2016) |
Early Life and Family
Ajay Devgn was born Vishal Veeru Devgan on 2 April 1969 in New Delhi, into a Punjabi Hindu family with roots in Amritsar. His father, Veeru Devgan, was a respected stunt choreographer and action-film director in the Hindi film industry, while his mother, Veena Devgan, worked as a film producer. Growing up on film sets gave him an early, practical education in action choreography and filmmaking.
He studied at Silver Beach High School in Juhu and later at Mithibai College, Mumbai. When he entered the industry in 1991, he dropped his birth name “Vishal” for “Ajay” because several other newcomers were launching under the same name that year; in August 2009 he also changed the spelling of his surname from Devgan to Devgn on the advice of a numerologist.
Ajay Devgn Career Journey
Action-Hero Debut and Rise (1991–1999)
Ajay Devgn debuted as a lead actor in Phool Aur Kaante (1991), an action-romance that became a major hit and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He quickly followed it with Jigar (1992), among the year’s highest grossers, and a run of successful action films including Dilwale (1994), Suhaag (1994) and Diljale (1996). Naajayaz (1995) brought him his first Filmfare Best Actor nomination. The decade closed with the acclaimed Zakhm (1998), for which he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), a major ensemble success alongside Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai.
Versatile Actor and Critical Acclaim (2000–2009)
The 2000s saw Ajay Devgn diversify sharply, mixing commercial cinema with critically acclaimed, often dark roles. Company (2002) and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) — the latter earning him a second National Film Award for Best Actor — established him as one of the industry’s most respected performers. He played memorable villains in Deewangee (2002) and Khakee (2004), led the gritty cop drama Gangaajal (2003), and delivered a career-best performance in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara (2006), an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Raincoat (2004) won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, with Devgn as producer. In 2006 he also launched the Golmaal comedy franchise with Rohit Shetty, and in 2008 made his directorial debut with U Me Aur Hum.
Blockbuster Franchises: Singham, Golmaal, Total Dhamaal (2010–2019)
The 2010s cemented Ajay Devgn as a dependable box-office draw through multiple franchises. Rohit Shetty’s Singham (2011) introduced his iconic cop character Bajirao Singham, spawning Singham Returns (2014) and cameo appearances across the wider Cop Universe in Simmba (2018) and Sooryavanshi (2021). The Golmaal series continued with Golmaal 3 (2010) and Golmaal Again (2017), both major hits, while Total Dhamaal (2019) extended his comedy franchise work. He also won acclaim for the psychological thriller Drishyam (2015) and directed and produced the ambitious mythological drama Shivaay (2016), which also won a National Film Award for Best Special Effects through his VFX company, NY VFXWAALA.
Historical Epics and Directing Ventures (2020–2026)
Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020), his 100th film, was the highest-grossing Bollywood release of its year and won him a third National Film Award for Best Actor as well as the National Award for Best Popular Film. He went on to direct the war drama Runway 34 (2022) and the action film Bholaa (2023), and appeared in extended cameos in RRR (2022) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Drishyam 2 (2022) became one of the biggest hits of his career, and Shaitaan (2024) and Singham Again (2024) — the year’s highest-grossing Indian film — kept him at the top of the box office. He continued with Raid 2 (2025) and has Dhamaal 4, Drishyam: The Conclusion and other projects lined up for 2026 and beyond.
Ajay Devgn Movies: Complete Filmography
Ajay Devgn has featured in 147 films — 141 released and 6 upcoming — across lead roles, villainous turns, cameos, voice roles and productions in Hindi and other languages.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Phool Aur Kaante | Ajay Salgaonkar | Debut film; Filmfare Best Male Debut |
| 1992 | Jigar | Raj “Raju” Verma | — |
| 1993 | Divya Shakti | Prashant Varma | — |
| 1993 | Platform | Raju | — |
| 1993 | Sangraam | Raja S. Singh Kanwar | — |
| 1993 | Shaktiman | Amar Chauhan | — |
| 1993 | Dil Hai Betaab | Ajay | — |
| 1993 | Ek Hi Raasta | Karan Singh | — |
| 1993 | Bedardi | Vijay Saxena | — |
| 1993 | Dhanwaan | Kashinath | — |
| 1994 | Dilwale | Arun Saxena | — |
| 1994 | Kanoon | Vishal Singh | — |
| 1994 | Vijaypath | Karan | — |
| 1994 | Suhaag | Ajay Sharma / Ajay Malhotra | — |
| 1995 | Naajayaz | Jai Bakshi | First Filmfare Best Actor nomination |
| 1995 | Hulchul | Deva | — |
| 1995 | Gundaraj | Ajay Chauhan | — |
| 1995 | Haqeeqat | Shiva/Ajay | — |
| 1996 | Jung | Ajay Bahadur Saxena | — |
| 1996 | Jaan | Karan Sharma | — |
| 1996 | Diljale | Shyam | — |
| 1997 | Itihaas | Karan Bakshi | — |
| 1997 | Ishq | Ajay Rai | — |
| 1998 | Major Saab | Virendra Pratap Singh | — |
| 1998 | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | Shekhar Suryavanshi | — |
| 1998 | Sar Utha Ke Jiyo | Vishal / Raju | Cameo |
| 1998 | Zakhm | Ajay R. Desai | National Film Award – Best Actor |
| 1999 | Kachche Dhaage | Aftab | — |
| 1999 | Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet | Raju | — |
| 1999 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Vanraj | — |
| 1999 | Hindustan Ki Kasam | Ajay/Tauheed | — |
| 1999 | Dil Kya Kare | Anand Kishore | — |
| 1999 | Gair | Vijay Kumar/Dev | — |
| 1999 | Thakshak | Ishaan Singh | — |
| 2000 | Deewane | Vishal/Arun | — |
| 2000 | Raju Chacha | Shekhar/Raju Chacha | First Ajay Devgn FFilms production |
| 2001 | Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke | Rohit Verma / Vikram “Vicky” Malhotra | — |
| 2001 | Lajja | Bhulwa | — |
| 2001 | Tera Mera Saath Rahen | Raj Dixit | — |
| 2002 | Company | Malik | Filmfare Critics Award |
| 2002 | Hum Kisise Kum Nahin | Raja Sharma | — |
| 2002 | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Bhagat Singh | National Film Award – Best Actor; Filmfare Critics Award |
| 2002 | Deewangee | Tarang Bharadwaj / Ranjeet | Filmfare Best Villain |
| 2003 | Bhoot | Vishal Bhatia | — |
| 2003 | Qayamat: City Under Threat | Rachit | — |
| 2003 | Chori Chori | Ranbir Malhotra | — |
| 2003 | Gangaajal | SP Amit Kumar | — |
| 2003 | Parwana | Parwana | — |
| 2003 | Zameen | Lt. Col. Ranvir Singh Ranawat | — |
| 2003 | LOC Kargil | Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey | — |
| 2004 | Khakee | Yashwant Aangre | — |
| 2004 | Masti | Inspector Sikander Tyagi | — |
| 2004 | Yuva | Michael “Mike” Mukherjee | — |
| 2004 | Raincoat | Manoj “Mannu” Tripathi | National Film Award – Best Feature Film in Hindi |
| 2004 | Taarzan: The Wonder Car | Deven Chaudhary | Special appearance |
| 2005 | Insan | Ajit Rathore | — |
| 2005 | Blackmail | Shekhar R. Mohan | — |
| 2005 | Zameer: The Fire Within | Suraj Chauhan | — |
| 2005 | Tango Charlie | Hawaldar Mohammad Ali “Mike Alpha” | — |
| 2005 | Kaal | Kaali Pratap Singh | — |
| 2005 | Main Aisa Hi Hoon | Indraneel Thakur | — |
| 2005 | Apaharan | Ajay Shastri | — |
| 2005 | Shikhar | Gaurav Gupta | — |
| 2006 | Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke | SP Kunal Singh | Cameo |
| 2006 | Golmaal: Fun Unlimited | Gopal Kumar Santoshi | Franchise starter |
| 2006 | Omkara | Omkara “Omi” Shukla | — |
| 2007 | Cash | Karan / Doc | — |
| 2007 | Aag | Heerendra “Heero” Dhaan | — |
| 2008 | Halla Bol | Ashfaque Khan / Sameer Khan | — |
| 2008 | Sunday | ACP Rajveer Randhava | — |
| 2008 | U Me Aur Hum | Ajay Mehra | Directorial debut; also producer |
| 2008 | Haal-e-Dil | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2008 | Mehbooba | Karan Dhariwal | — |
| 2008 | Golmaal Returns | Gopal Kumar Santoshi | — |
| 2009 | All the Best: Fun Begins | Prem Chopra | Also producer |
| 2009 | London Dreams | Arjun Joshi | — |
| 2010 | Teen Patti | Sunny | Cameo |
| 2010 | Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? | Puneet “Pappu” Bajpai | — |
| 2010 | Raajneeti | Sooraj Kumar | — |
| 2010 | Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai | Sultan Mirza | — |
| 2010 | Aakrosh | Pratap Kumar | — |
| 2010 | Golmaal 3 | Gopal Kumar Santoshi | — |
| 2010 | Toonpur Ka Super Hero | Aditya (voice) | Voice role |
| 2011 | Yamla Pagla Deewana | Narrator | — |
| 2011 | Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji | Naren Ahuja | — |
| 2011 | Ready | Raju | Cameo |
| 2011 | Singham | Inspector Bajirao Singham | Franchise starter; Filmfare Best Actor nomination |
| 2011 | Rascals | Bhagat “Bhagu” Bhosle | — |
| 2012 | Tezz | Aakash Rana | — |
| 2012 | Bol Bachchan | Prithviraj Raghuvanshi | — |
| 2012 | Son of Sardaar | Jaswinder Singh “Jassi” Randhawa | — |
| 2012 | Makkhi | Father (voice) | Telugu dubbed version |
| 2013 | Himmatwala | Ravi Verma | Remake; commercial failure |
| 2013 | Satyagraha | Manav Raghvendra | — |
| 2013 | Mahabharat | Arjuna (voice) | Animated film |
| 2014 | Singham Returns | DCP Bajirao Singham | — |
| 2014 | Action Jackson | Vishy / Jai (AJ) | — |
| 2014 | Vitti Dandu | — | Marathi film; producer |
| 2015 | Hey Bro | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2015 | Drishyam | Vijay Salgaonkar | Major critical and commercial success |
| 2016 | Fitoor | Moazam | Cameo |
| 2016 | Shivaay | Shivaay | Also director and producer |
| 2017 | Guest in London | Ajay Gandotra | Cameo |
| 2017 | Baadshaho | Bhavani Singh | — |
| 2017 | Poster Boys | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2017 | Golmaal Again | Gopal Kumar Santoshi | Blockbuster |
| 2017 | Dhruva | ASP K. Dhruva, IPS | Telugu dubbed version |
| 2018 | Aapla Manus | Himself | Guest appearance; first Marathi production |
| 2018 | Raid | Amay Patnaik | — |
| 2018 | Helicopter Eela | — | Producer only |
| 2018 | Simmba | DCP Bajirao Singham | Cameo |
| 2019 | Total Dhamaal | Guddu Rastogi | — |
| 2019 | De De Pyaar De | Ashish Mehra | — |
| 2020 | Tanhaji | Tanaji Malusare | 100th film; National Film Award – Best Actor |
| 2020 | Chhalaang | — | Producer only |
| 2021 | Tribhanga | — | Producer only |
| 2021 | The Big Bull | — | Producer only |
| 2021 | Bhuj: The Pride of India | Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik | — |
| 2021 | Sooryavanshi | DCP Bajirao Singham | Cameo |
| 2021 | Velle | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Rahim Lala | Cameo |
| 2022 | RRR | Alluri Sitarama Raju | Telugu film; cameo |
| 2022 | Runway 34 | Capt. Vikrant Khanna | Directorial venture |
| 2022 | Thank God | Chitragupt “CG” | — |
| 2022 | Drishyam 2 | Vijay Salgaonkar | Second highest-grossing film of his career |
| 2022 | Ponniyin Selvan: I | Narrator | Tamil dubbed version |
| 2023 | Bholaa | Bholaa | Directorial venture |
| 2024 | Article 370 | Narrator | — |
| 2024 | Shaitaan | Kabir Rishi | Box-office hit |
| 2024 | Maidaan | Syed Abdul Rahim | Biopic; National Award-nominated role |
| 2024 | Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha | Krishna | — |
| 2024 | Singham Again | DCP Bajirao Singham | Highest-grossing film of 2024 |
| 2024 | Naam | Shekhar / Michael / Amar Kumar | Delayed release; filmed in 2004 |
| 2025 | Azaad | Vikram Singh | Cameo in nephew Aaman Devgn’s debut |
| 2025 | Chhaava | Narrator | — |
| 2025 | Raid 2 | Amay Patnaik | Highest-grossing Hindi film of the year |
| 2025 | Maa | — | Producer only |
| 2025 | Son of Sardaar 2 | Jaswinder Singh “Jassi” Randhawa | — |
| 2025 | De De Pyaar De 2 | Ashish “Ashu” Mehra | — |
| 2025 | Karate Kid: Legends | Mr. Han | English-language film (Hindi dub) |
| 2026 | Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh | Narrator | — |
| 2026 | Dhamaal 4 | Guddu Rastogi | Upcoming |
| 2026 | Drishyam: The Conclusion | Vijay Salgaonkar | Upcoming; post-production |
| 2026 | Ranger | TBA | Upcoming |
| 2027 | Chauhaan | TBA | Upcoming |
| TBA | Golmaal 5 | Gopal Kumar Santoshi | Announced |
| TBA | Untitled film | TBA | Announced |
Ajay Devgn Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Filmfare Award – Best Male Debut | Phool Aur Kaante |
| 1998 | National Film Award – Best Actor | Zakhm |
| 2002 | National Film Award – Best Actor | The Legend of Bhagat Singh |
| 2002 | Filmfare Award – Best Villain | Deewangee |
| 2004 | National Film Award – Best Feature Film in Hindi (Producer) | Raincoat |
| 2016 | Padma Shri | Civilian honour, Government of India |
| 2017 | National Film Award – Best Special Effects (NY VFXWAALA) | Shivaay |
| 2021 | National Film Award – Best Actor | Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior |
| 2021 | National Film Award – Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior |
Ajay Devgn Personal Life
Ajay Devgn married actress Kajol on 24 February 1999, after the two met on the sets of Gundaraj (1995). The couple have two children: daughter Nysa Devgan, born in 2003, and son Yug Devgan, born in 2010. The family’s VFX company, NY VFXWAALA, is named after Nysa and Yug.
Devgn is known for keeping a low public profile away from film promotions and has described himself as uncomfortable in the media spotlight. He is a practicing Shaiva Hindu and is often seen wearing a rudraksha.
Ajay Devgn Net Worth
Ajay Devgn has built multiple sources of income beyond acting, including film fees, production through Devgn Films, visual-effects work through NY VFXWAALA, cinema exhibition and brand endorsements. His business interests have expanded across film production, VFX and cinemas over the years.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹425 crore.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, such as media reports, published rich lists and election affidavits. They are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Ajay Devgn
- His birth name was Vishal Veeru Devgan; he adopted “Ajay” in 1991 because several debutants that year shared the name Vishal.
- He changed the spelling of his surname from Devgan to Devgn in August 2009 on numerological advice.
- His father, Veeru Devgan, choreographed stunts for countless Hindi films and directed action sequences before becoming a director himself.
- He founded the VFX company NY VFXWAALA in 2015, named after his children Nysa and Yug, which has worked on films like Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale (2015).
- He is one of very few Bollywood stars never to have needed a “comeback” film despite a career of more than three decades.
- He has lent his voice to animated characters, including Arjuna in Mahabharat (2013) and the title car in Toonpur Ka Super Hero (2010).
Legacy and Impact
Ajay Devgn has sustained one of Hindi cinema’s longest unbroken runs of commercial relevance, moving fluidly between intense dramatic roles, comic franchises and large-scale action spectacles without a career slump. As an actor, director and producer, he has helped shape some of Bollywood’s most durable franchises — Golmaal, Singham and Drishyam — while his National Award-winning performances in films like Zakhm and The Legend of Bhagat Singh have secured his reputation as a serious, versatile performer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ajay Devgn
Who is Ajay Devgn?
Ajay Devgn is an Indian actor, film director and producer, and one of Hindi cinema’s leading stars since his 1991 debut.
How old is Ajay Devgn?
He was born on 2 April 1969, making him 57 years old as of 2026.
How many movies has Ajay Devgn done?
He has appeared in 147 films in total, of which 141 have been released and 6 are upcoming.
What was Ajay Devgn’s first movie?
His first film was Phool Aur Kaante (1991), which also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
How many National Film Awards has Ajay Devgn won?
He has won three National Film Awards for Best Actor (Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Tanhaji), plus further National Awards as a producer and for visual effects.
Is Ajay Devgn married?
Yes, he has been married to actress Kajol since 24 February 1999, and the couple have two children, Nysa and Yug.
What are Ajay Devgn’s upcoming movies?
His announced upcoming films include Dhamaal 4, Drishyam: The Conclusion, Ranger, Chauhaan and Golmaal 5.
Final Summary
From the action romances of the early 1990s to the historical epics and franchise blockbusters of the 2020s, Ajay Devgn has built a filmography defined by range and reliability. With three National Film Awards for acting, a Padma Shri, and franchises like Golmaal, Singham and Drishyam still running, he remains one of Hindi cinema’s most consistent and respected stars.
With Dhamaal 4, Drishyam: The Conclusion and other projects on the way, and more than three decades after Phool Aur Kaante, Ajay Devgn continues to be among the most bankable and versatile names in Indian cinema.