It is difficult to stay relevant : Ajay Devgn

Bollywood actor-producer Ajay Devgn, who has spent over two decades in filmdom, says staying relevant in the industry is a constant struggle.

"It is difficult to stay relevant in the industry. You just cannot take things easy. You have to work hard for it and if you achieve something, it doesn't mean it will last with you forever. You have to keep struggling or you will start moving backward," Ajay said at the trailer launch of his upcoming film Raid.

Ajay has set benchmarks with his roles in films like Company and Drishyam.

Speaking about Raid, he said: "I don't know about the benchmark or perception that this film might create, but the real struggle with the film was that the character is very heroic but real at the same time. We tried to keep it real even with the punchlines."

The film, co-starring Ileana D'Cruz, is directed by Rajkumar Gupta of No One Killed Jessica fame and written by Ritesh Shah. It traces the life of an honest income tax officer in the 80s. 

"Especially during that era, when the environment wasn't good, it was not easy. I am sure Ritesh Shah and Rajkumar Gupta can tell you incidents when income tax officers were brutally murdered. They used to go through a very hard time," he said.

Ajay said the film's makers interacted with real income tax officers to establish the part.

As the film is based on income tax, sharing some tips for fans on paying their taxes, Ajay said: "I am sure people will cuss me later for saying this, but the film is right on the point, where it says that you should be fair about tax. If you earn, then pay the tax. Sometimes the fault lies on both the sides - the taxpayer, and the government, but both should be fair about it."

Interestingly, the 2013 period heist film Special 26 also handled the story of raids conducted in the 80s. 

Raid is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 16.