Reflecting on the bygone golden age of Bollywood action in the 90s, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty shared insights on how the landscape has shifted. They noted that iconic figures, such as Jackie Shroff and Amitabh Bachchan, possessed an undeniable ‘men quality’ and powerful presence that today’s stars seem to lack.

In a nostalgic conversation, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty looked back at the fearless era of 90s Bollywood action, a time when actors were not just heroes on screen, but also exuded a dominating presence off it. Ajay shared his views on the current generation, remarking that today’s actors often lack the “men quality” that made past stars so convincing in action sequences. “All are boys; you don’t see men-men anymore,” he shared with Ranveer Allahbadia, recalling how legends like Jackie Shroff and Amitabh Bachchan naturally commanded attention with every move.

Daring escapades and soda bottle tricks

Rohit Shetty reminisced about Ajay’s daring exploits during that period. “There was a time when he had gone to beat up somebody, and there was a car behind him trying to stop him. There was a chase on in Mumbai,” he revealed. Ajay admitted he had been involved in multiple such fights but preferred not to elaborate on all of them. Adding a humorous touch, Rohit recalled how they sometimes improvised weapons, shaking soda bottles until they exploded.

Why today’s generation feels different

The conversation also highlighted why Ajay feels the new generation doesn’t evoke the same awe. “You don’t become a man just by building a body. There’s an attitude and approach toward life that’s missing,” he said. Rohit added, “When Akshay Kumar was thrashing ten people or Sunny Deol pulling out a hand pump, we believed they could do it. Today, we don’t feel anyone could actually do that.” The pair reflected fondly on a time when action on screen felt believable because the actors carried real grit and presence.

The hockey stick throwback

Ajay shared a quirky throwback from his own life: he used to keep a hockey stick in his car, ready for any confrontation. “Everybody has become calm now. I don’t fight anymore. I feel it’s a waste of time. The other person will only end up getting hit, so I avoid fights,” he said, smiling at how far things have changed.

A legacy of action and stardom

Ajay Devgn’s career as an action hero began with the iconic ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ in 1991 and included hits like ‘Jigar’, ‘Vijaypath’, ‘Suhaag’, ‘Zameen’, ‘Khakee’, and Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham’ series. The actor’s current work front includes ‘Raid 2’, ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ and ‘De De Pyaar De 2’. He has also co-launched Lens Vault Studios to focus on technology-driven content.