Mahesh Bhatt talked about how Ajay Devgn’s father asked to take him into one of his films. Earlier, in an interview, Ajay had recalled how he had signed Mahesh’s Zakhm (1999) while he was in the shower.

In a conversation with India Today, Mahesh said, “It depends on the unique relationship the maker has with the particular actor. There was a runup to the call I made. And the very fact that I got through to him while he was in the shower was because of that unique runup that we had.”

Talking about Ajay’s father, Veeru Devgn, Mahesh said, “He was the one who told me, why don’t you take my son? If he will work with you, he will become an actor as he is already a star.” Ajay’s first film, Phool Aur Kaante (1991) catapulted him to popularity.

He added, “The first time I saw him, he was crossing the street near Chandan cinema in Juhu and I stopped the car and called him. When he came, I saw a silence in his eyes. I was like I spoke to your father and he wants me to work with you and we will. And he looked at me and he knew that I meant it and I saw in his eyes that he knew that one day I will go to him. Then I went to him for Naajayaz (1995), where I cast him opposite the great Naseeruddin Shah. He was very intimated with the thought of working with him.”

Ajay’s performance in Zakhm earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor.