Actor Ajay Devgn / X/ ajaydevgn

If there has been an actor who has enjoyed stardom on his own rules it is Ajay Devgn, the man who refuses to laugh, refuses to get intimate and more surprisingly even refuses to dance, yet he is one of the top actors of Bollywood.

He has been one of the few actors who has evolved with time and persistently reinvented himself. He started off as an action hero but swiftly moved to romance, comedy and drama as was the need of the hour.

It is hardly a wonder that he has a repertoire that boasts of a variety that will leave others wanting. Here are some of his best works to commemorate his 33 years in the film industry.

THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH (2002)

The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) stands as one of Indian cinema's most powerful biopics even today, and Ajay Devgn's portrayal of the iconic revolutionary was nothing short of phenomenal. With quiet intensity and fierce conviction, Devgn captured Bhagat Singh's fiery patriotism, intellect, and fearlessness to the tee.

His portrayal added depth to the legend-not just as a martyr, but as a thinker and visionary. Devgn's performance is discussed even today for being layered, restrained, and deeply moving, especially in the courtroom and execution scenes, which still linger in memory befitting the National Award he won for it.

ΖΑΚΗΜ (1998)

Zakhm (1998) was a haunting, deeply personal film, and Ajay Devgn's performance lay at its emotional core. As a son torn between communal identity and unconditional love for his mother, Devgn delivered a role steeped in quiet pain and internal conflict. Without theatrics, he conveyed layers of anguish, helplessness, and suppressed rage through subtle expressions and controlled dialogue.

This National Award-winning portrayal was raw, restrained, and heartbreakingly real. In a film about faith, family, and fractured society, Devgn turned on the calm in the storm. Zakhm remains a landmark in his career-proof of his ability to speak volumes without shouting.

OMKARA (2006)

In Omkara, Ajay Devgn delivered a masterfully restrained performance as the brooding, conflicted titular character-a man torn between love, loyalty, and lethal jealousy. While Saif Ali Khan's flamboyant Langda Tyagi is touted as the performance that stole the spotlight with his villainous flair, no one can deny the fact that it's Devgn's simmering intensity that anchors the film.

With minimal dialogue and a gaze that spoke volumes, he embodied Omkara's slow unraveling with haunting precision. Devgn's ability to convey vulnerability beneath brute strength is remarkable, yet criminally under rated. His portrayal gives Omkara its soul-a quiet storm of betrayal, honor, and heart break.

SINGHAM (2011)

When Singham hit the screens in 2011, it wasn't just another cop drama-it was a phenomenon. Ajay Devgn's fierce portrayal of Bajirao Singham, a righteous, no-nonsense police officer with a lion's heart and iron fists, gave Indian cinema one of its most iconic action heroes. With his grounded charisma, steely glare, and thunderous dialogue delivery ("Aata majhi satakli!" now etched in pop culture), Devgn didn't just play a character-he created a legend.

What made Singham a cult classic wasn't just the over-the-top action or whistle-worthy punchlines, but the conviction with which Devgn carried it all. He made honesty heroic again, turning a stylized, high-octane cop into a relatable symbol of justice. Rohit Shetty's masala film making found its soul in Devgn's stoic intensity, and together, they sparked an entire cinematic universe with actors vying to get a spot in the 'cop verse'.

Today, Singham is more than a movie-it's a brand, a mood, and a movement. And at the center of it all stands Ajay Devgn, roaring not just for justice, but for the unmatched power of a well-crafted screen legend.

COMPANY (2002)

In Company (2002), Ajay Devgn delivered one of his most chilling and nuanced performances as the cold, calculating underworld don, Malik. Once again, Devgn's stillness became his weapon-his icy stare, controlled dialogue, and minimalistic approach created a character as terrifying as he was magnetic. His chemistry with director Ram Gopal Varma was electric; Varma gave Devgn the space to internalize the role, and Devgn responded with a master class in subtle menace.

Together, they redefined the gangster genre in Indian cinema, moving away from caricatured dons to layered, complex men shaped by loyalty, betrayal, and ambition. Company remains a gritty classic, and Ajay Devgn's restrained intensity is its dark, compelling heartbeat-crafted to perfection under Varma's sharp vision.

HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM (1999)

In Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Ajay Devgn showcased a tender, heart breaking side rarely seen in his action-heavy filmography. As Vanraj, the quietly devoted husband, he delivered a performance filled with emotional depth, restraint, and silent strength. While Salman Khan's flamboyant Sameer brought charm and chaos, it was Devgn's under stated portrayal that gave the film its soul.

His character's journey-from a man wounded by unrequited love to one who selflessly supports his wife's happiness-unfolded with grace and maturity. Devgn didn't need grand gestures; a glance, a pause, or a soft smile said it all. In a film steeped in music and emotion, he proved he could be a romantic hero with quiet dignity with no lip syncing songs to his name.

DRISHYAM (2015)

Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar delivered a masterclass in restraint and intensity in Drishyam. His act as a simple man with a secret, the quiet demeanor that hides a storm of calculation and desperation took this film to the next level. He doesn't roar in this one-he simmers. Every glance, pause, and line is laced with purpose, making his performance deeply compelling.

Devgn's strength lies in how convincingly he transforms an ordinary cable operator into a master strategist, driven solely by love for his family. It's a performance built on subtlety, not spectacle-proof that heroism on screen doesn't always need action; sometimes, it's the silence, the stillness that leaves the biggest impact.

TANHAJI: THE UNSUNG WARRIOR (2020)

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior was a highly celebrated visual spectacle that blends history with heroism, and at its heart stands Ajay Devgn, delivering a powerful, impassioned performance. As Tanhaji Malusare, Devgn embodied valor, patriotism, and unshakeable resolve with commanding intensity. His portrayal struck a perfect balance between ferocity on the battlefield and tenderness in personal moments.

The film's grandeur is amplified by his magnetic screen presence-his eyes alone conveying the weight of duty and sacrifice. With stunts that stunned, dialogues that brought out the patriot in all, Ajay as Tanhaji didn't just play a warrior-he became one. Tanhaji was both a cinematic triumph and a career highlight for him. The film won three National awards for Best Actor, Best Entertainer and Best Costume.

GOLMAAL SERIES

Ajay Devgn may be best known for his brooding intensity and high-octane action, but in the Golmaal series, he flips the script-quite literally-into full-blown comic brilliance. As the straight-faced ringmaster of Rohit Shetty's madcap universe, Devgn anchors the chaos with impeccable timing, dead pan delivery, and a surprising knack for physical comedy.

What makes his performance stand out in a cast brimming with comic talent is his ability to be both the eye of the storm and its source. Whether it's cracking witty one-liners or reacting to slapstick absurdities with stone-faced confusion, Devgn proves that his comedy doesn't rely on volume, but precision. He lets the madness swirl around him and still lands every punchline like a pro. From pulling off over-the-top stunts in slow motion to bickering with Tusshar Kapoor's mute antics, he adapts effortlessly-never letting the comedy feel forced, proving that sometimes, the funniest guy in the room is the one who barely cracks a smile.