Veeru Devgan – Famous stunt and action choreographer of Bollywood films

Veeru Devgan (1934 – 2019) was a famous stunt master and action choreographer who was active in Bollywood during 1970s-1990s. He has been associated with many iconic movies made during the period, and is credited to more than 100 films. His son Ajay Devgan and daughter-in-law Kajol are established Bollywood actors. Mr. India, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Pukar, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Aakri Rasta, Khoon Pasina, Inkaar, Khoon Bhari Maang, Janwar (1999), Dus Numbri, Inkar (1977), Khel Khel Mein, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Kranti, Dostana, Jigar, Phool Aur Kaante, Prem Rog, Himmatwala, Boxer, Ishq, Shehanshah, Hum Paanch, Tridev, Do Aur Do Paanch – The list is so long.

Veeru Devgan hailed from Amritsar. He initially wanted to become an actor, but turned a stunt master. He ran away from home to become an actor, and ended up in jail with friends for one week as he didn’t have movie tickets. His Bollywood career began in 1974 as a stunt master. Roti Kapda Aur Makaan and Khel Khel Mein gave him early recognition in the industry. He also made brief appearances in movies like Kranti (1981), and also worked as an assistant director in the early 1990s. Veeru Devgan is widely recognized as the stunt master of modern era of filmmaking, and he made new benchmarks in the field of Bollywood stunts. He was the man behind the success of many leading action heroes of 1970s-1990s and he contributed through stunts and action sequences. 

Veeru Devgan – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Through Kajol he is related to Mukherjee–Samarth family, which includes some of the prominent Bollywood actors like Tanuja, Nutan, Rani Mukerji, Joy Mukherjee, Kumarsen Samarth, Nalini Jaywant etc.

2. Veeru Devgan initially dreamt to become an actor and later fulfilled his dreams through Ajay Devgan. He also played an important role in grooming Ajay’s career, and since he was born it remained Veeru’s only dream.

3. He has also directed one Bollywood film, Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) with Ajay Devgan playing the main lead.

4. He worked with Ajay Devgan right from his debut movie – Phool Aur Kaante, followed by Jigar, and action sequences of both these films were well appreciated. In fact he launched Ajay to films through Phool Aur Kaante, and gave him the image of an action hero through his stunt sequences throughout 1990s.

5. He produced Hindustan Ki Kasam and Dil Kya Kare in 1999.

6. His second son Anil Devgan has directed Ajay Devgan in two films, Raju Chacha and Blackmail. Both these films flopped.

7. Veeru worked as stunt master for most of Ajay Devgan films in the 1990s and early 2000s. Action sequences of most of these films got noticed; Phool Aur Kaante, Dilwale, Ishq, Diljale, Jigar etc to mention a few.

8. He gave the story idea of action movie, Jigar starring Ajay Devgan.

9. He was last seen in public in February 2019, when he attended the screening of Total Dhamal where Ajay Devgan played a pivot role.