Skimpy dresses are no mantra for film's success: Ajay Devgn

Do you wonder why Ajay Devgn has lately been doing too many light-hearted dramas? He doesn't want to associate himself with films that a family can't watch together and says it is a myth that vulgarity or skimpy clothes can make a movie work at the box office.

The National Award winning actor seems to be following his resolution sincerely as in recent times he has been part of successful family entertainers such as the "Golmaal" series, "Bol Bachchan" and "Son of Sardaar" as well as an action-drama like "Singham"
"I have decided not to do anything that you can't watch with family.

I don't want to do any film, which has A-certificate," Ajay said in a group interview here. The actor is shooting for Prakash Jha's intense social drama "Satyagraha" in the City of Lakes.

"I was recently watching a Hindi film, and my father (action director Veeru Devgan) got up and went away. Later, when I asked him, where did you go, he said, 'They were wearing such clothes, I thought you guys would be embarrassed watching it with me.' My father is from the film industry, if he can walk out, you can imagine.

"I don't want to do such films. It is a myth that if you would show vulgarity or 'kam kapade' (skimpy dresses), the film will work," added the actor.

His next outing on the big screen is "Himmatwala", a remake of Jeetendra and Sridevi starrer 1983 hit movie and he describes the new "Himmatwala" as "an action, emotional drama... Jeetu saab played an engineer, here it is a street fighter, so the attitude is completely different."

Apparently Ajay told director Sajid Khan that he won't wear white shoes or while pants, a trademark of Jeetendra, in the remake.

When asked, the actor said: "I have worn white shoes, but they are keds. I had no condition like this. Jokingly I had said that don't make me wear white shoes."

"Himmatwala" is still remembered for Jeetendra's dance in songs like  "Taki Oh Taki" and "Naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajna".

Ajay said: "I don't think I can dance like him. I danced the way I was supposed to."
The 43-year-old's career took off with 1991 action drama "Phool Aur Kaante", his debut film, and later he moved to intense roles with "Takshak", "Zakhm" and "Company" among others. He then shifted his attention to comic capers.

The actor said that it was "not a conscious decision" to shift from one genre to the other.
"I was lucky to get right script at the right time. Yes, I wanted to evolve, I wanted to learn. I have learned so much from 'Takshak' and 'Zakhm'. I have learned a lot from the films that have not worked," said the actor and added: "Nobody is a better actor than K. Vishwanath (who directed Ajay in 'Dhanwaan')".

As an audience, Ajay "watches all kind of films". "There are times when I want to watch a commercial, family, happy film, but there are times when you start watching something and you can't stop. Recently I saw descendant, but it was so slow, but it grips you and grips you and can't get up," he said and added: "My funniest film so far has been 'Golmaal' one."