At the trailer launch of Azaad, Ajay Devgn, who is not only the star of the film but also the mentor of his nephew Aaman Devgn and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani, shared insightful thoughts on the evolving challenges faced by newcomers in the industry. Reflecting on the differences between his early days in the industry and the current environment, Ajay pointed out how much things have changed over the past three decades.
Ajay Devgn, who has been a prominent figure in the film industry for over 30 years, spoke candidly about the pressures newcomers face today. He noted that, when he started his career, there was a certain "rawness" to the industry, and audiences were more forgiving of mistakes. However, today’s audience is far more critical and unforgiving:
“A lot has changed. When we came into the industry, there was a rawness, we were learning. The audience was forgiving back then, they would cut us some slack. But today’s audience doesn’t forgive anyone. You have to come fully prepared. Hopefully, I believe both the kids (Aaman and Rasha) have prepared well. Abhishek has been a great guide, but I always tell Aaman that no matter how much hard work you put in, it will never feel enough. The audience won’t forgive you. Whatever you do, it’s never enough. There’s so much pressure on this generation today."
As a mentor, Ajay had some personal advice for Aaman. He emphasized that every individual must carve their own path in life and not follow others blindly:“Everyone has to find their own way. You can take inspiration from others, but you can never progress by simply following someone else’s footsteps. You have to find your own path.”
Ajay also admitted that he is a tough mentor. Despite Aaman’s hard work, he pushes him to do more, sometimes in ways that might not be comfortable. He shared, "Aaman gets a lot of firing from me. He works hard, but I keep telling him to keep pushing. Whether he likes it or not, that’s just how I am, and that’s how I will continue to be. "
Azaad directed by Abhishek Kapur and starring Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty, Rasha Thadani, Aaman Devgn is hitting the cinemas on January 17, 2025.