Bollywood superstar’s dad left home at 13, was arrested and joined gangsters; later became the most wanted action director in Hindi cinema

Recalling his father’s journey on Koffee With Karan, Ajay shared: “He ran away from home in Punjab when he was just 13. He came to Mumbai without a train ticket, was put behind bars, had no work, no food. Somebody helped him out and said that if he washed his cab, my father could sleep in it. He started from there, eventually became a carpenter, and then a gangster in Sion Koliwada. They had gangs at that time, and gang wars.”

During one such gang war, renowned action director Ravi Khanna noticed Veeru’s fearlessness. Ajay recalled: “He called my dad after the fight and asked, ‘What do you do?’ My dad said he was a carpenter. Mr Khanna replied with a memorable line: ‘Tu ladta acha hai, come meet me tomorrow.’ He made him a fighter.”

That moment marked the beginning of Veeru’s journey as a stuntman. His big break came when actor Manoj Kumar offered him work as an action director in the 1974 film Roti Kapada Aur Makaan. Veeru was 40 then. The film’s commercial success opened doors, and over the next decade he worked on nearly 100 films, carving out his legacy in the industry, several of the collaborations being with Manoj Kumar.

When Manoj Kumar passed away in April this year, Ajay Devgn paid tribute on X, writing: “Manoj Kumar ji was not just a cinematic icon — he was a personal milestone in my family’s journey. He gave my father, Veeru Devgan, his very first break as an action director in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. From there, their collaboration continued all the way to Kranti, creating moments that are now part of Indian cinema’s golden history.”

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He added: “Manoj ji’s films — Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Shor, Kranti — weren’t just films, they were national emotions. His creative genius, unwavering patriotism, and storytelling depth set a benchmark that very few have matched.”

Veeru Devgan became a household name, and actors like Jeetendra and Dharmendra often agreed to films simply because he was associated with them.

Journalist Ali Peter John, in an article for Bollywood Hungama, wrote: “I was carried away by his skill at giving action in films a new dimension and adding glory to the stars, especially Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Dharmendra and Amjad Khan, besides many others, as he was the only name that mattered when it came to action in Hindi films.”

Having seen life’s struggles up close, Veeru Devgan ensured that his colleagues did not have to suffer the same way. According to John, he made sure that all fighters working for him were paid well, enabling them to buy homes in Mumbai and send their children to good schools.

Eventually, Veeru Devgn ventured into director with the 1999 film Hindustan Ki Kasam, which starred his son Ajay Devgn along with actors Amitabh Bachchan, Manisha Koirala and Sushmita Sen. He also produced and acted in several films.

In 2019, Veeru Devgn breathed his last after dealing with poor health for about a decade. He was 84.