Samikshya Bureau
Veeru Devgan, one of India’s best action and stunts director and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan’s father, passed away on Monday in Mumbai. He was 77.
Veeru Devgan was suffering for age related issues for a long time and was rarely seen in public. The last time he appeared in public was in February to attend the premier of Total Dhamal starring Ajay Devgan.
Veeru Devgan, who choreographed action scenes in more than 80 films, was Bollywood’s top most action and stunt director of his time working in more than 80 films. He mostly worked with top heroes like Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna. His body of work included blockbusters like Mr Natwarlal in 1979, Kranti in 1981, Himmatwala in 1983, Shahneshah in 1988 and Tridev in 1989. He also acted in films like Kranti, Saurabh and Singhasan.
When Ajay Devgan made his debut as an actor in Phool aur Kaante in 1991, Veeru Devgan choreographed action for the film. The iconic stunt scene in the film where his son appears on the screen in the introductory scene balancing himself on two running motorcycles became a craze with the youth. Veeru Devgan also turned to direction with Hindustan Ki Kasam starring Ajay Devgan and Amitabh Bachchan in 1999.
Tributes poured in when the news of his death spread out. Action director Sham Kaushal, father of Vicky Kaushal, was among the first to offer condolence on micro-blogging site Twitter. Today Bollywood’s top action and stunts director, Kaushal started his career with the senior Devgan.
“RIP Veeru Devgan ji. Just came to know about this sad news. As an Action Director always ahead of his times & as human being par excellence. I became a stuntman with his blessings on 8th August, 1980 as he signed my application to become a stuntman & made me part of his team,” Kaushal tweeted.
In another tweet, Kaushal conveyed his gratitude to Devgan:”My first day of shoot as a stuntman, stunt double & my first outdoor shoot was under him. He fed me in his house when I did not have anything to eat. Can’t help crying while writing this.”
Veteran action Anupam Kher said on Twitter: “Deeply saddened to know about passing away of Veeru Devgan ji. Worked with him in so many films. He was a great action director. To him the safety of the actors and his fighters team was of utmost importance. A kind man with great sense of humour.”
“Condolence to the Devgan family. Hope you’ll find the courage to bear this loss. Bollywood lost one of the finest action directors and excellent person,” tweeted Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, who has worked with the veteran in many films.
