Bollywood veteran action director Veeru Devgan, father of actor Ajay Devgn, died Monday in Mumbai, family sources said. He was 85.
Veeru Devgan breathed his last on Monday afternoon at a hospital here due to age-related issues, according to a source.
Apart from directing action sequences, he had directed the 1999 film ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’, starring Ajay and megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
The funeral will be held here at the Vile Parle West Crematorium on Monday evening.
“Sad to know that veteran action director Veeru Devganji is no more. He was a genius in choreographing fights on the big screen when there were no facilities available. My heartfelt condolences to Ajay Devgn and the entire family,” filmmaker Ashoke Pandit tweeted.
“RIP Veeru Devganji. A legend of Hindi cinema. Left his mark at a time when ‘pure action’ without VFX was the order of the day. Heartfelt condolences to Ajay Devgn and Kajol. May his soul rest in peace. Prayers are with the family,” Kunal Kohli wrote.
Veeru, who hailed from Amritsar, ran away from his home to try his luck in films. He initially wanted to become an actor but became a stuntman and later an action choreographer, the veteran stunt director had recalled in several interviews.
He, however, fulfilled his dream of breaking it big in Bollywood through son Ajay, considered one of the most successful and versatile actors of his generation.
Veeru worked in more than 80 Bollywood films and did stunt work for major heroes such as Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra among others.
One of Veeru's most famous action scenes is son Ajay's first appearance on the silver screen - balancing on two bikes in his introduction in his 1991 debut film 'Phool Aur Kaante'.
