&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Do you know Ajay Devgn’s father was once a gangster? The untold story of action director Veeru Devgan")
Bollywood is full of larger-than-life stories, but few are as dramatic and inspiring as that of Veeru Devgan, father of superstar Ajay Devgn. Before he became one of Hindi cinema’s most respected action directors, Veeru’s life was filled with struggle, survival, and a shocking twist; he once lived as a street gangster in Mumbai.
From runaway teen to Mumbai’s harsh streets
Born in Punjab, Veeru Devgan ran away from home at just 13. With no money or train ticket, he arrived in Mumbai and quickly learned how unforgiving the city could be. He spent nights inside cars in exchange for washing them, and even landed in jail in his early days. Survival pushed him into odd jobs, from carpentry to street hustles, and eventually, he became involved with gangs in the Sion-Koliwada area- then notorious for gang wars.
Fate turned on a street fight
Ajay Devgn revealed on Koffee With Karan that his father’s life changed during a street fight when veteran action director Ravi Khanna noticed his raw combat skills. Khanna asked him to try his hand at stunt work, and from that moment, Veeru’s life took a new direction. What began as dangerous street brawls transformed into choreographed stunts on the silver screen.
Trending Stories
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
)
‘Iran can survive sanctions, but can’t truly live’: Dy FM warns of economic cost of war
)
US-Iran war: Report suggests US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, reaper drones
)
Lip reader reveals what Donald Trump told every Spain and Argentina player after FIFA World Cup final during medal ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
Maha CM Wife Amruta Fadnavis' Yoga Day appearance sparks social media debate over attire | Watch
)
US-Iran conflicts: Houthis announce maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, Iran attacks MQ-9 drone hangar | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Spain World Cup victory parade in Madrid: Champions celebrate second FIFA World Cup title with over million fans
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
‘Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form in US’: Trump’s counter to Mamdani
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
JD and Usha Vance welcome fourth child: Who serves as acting US vice president during Vance's paternity leave?
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
Rise as Bollywood’s top action director
Veeru Devgan worked as a stuntman before rising to become one of the most sought-after action directors in Bollywood. He choreographed daring fight sequences for over 200 films, giving actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Jeetendra some of their most memorable on-screen action moments. His style was raw, realistic, and set a new benchmark for action in Hindi cinema through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
One of his career highlights was choreographing the iconic bike stunt in Ajay Devgn’s debut film Phool Aur Kaante (1991): a sequence that instantly made Ajay a star and remains etched in Bollywood history.
Moving behind the camera
In 1999, Veeru Devgan directed his first and only film, Hindustan Ki Kasam, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, and Sushmita Sen. Though the film didn’t become a blockbuster, it marked his reputation as a versatile filmmaker who had lived cinema from every angle.
Legacy and family
Veeru married producer Veena Devgan, and together they raised a family that remained deeply connected to films. Ajay Devgn not only carried forward his father’s legacy but also built an empire of his own. With a career spanning three decades, Ajay today is one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars.
A life like a Bollywood script
Veeru Devgan passed away in 2019 at the age of 84, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. His story- from a runaway boy and street gangster to a celebrated action director and father of a superstar, remains one of Bollywood’s most inspiring real-life sagas.
