EXCLUSIVE: Anees Bazmee reveals Ajay Devgn is ‘very special’ to him; praises ‘wonderful’ Salman Khan & ‘prankster’ Akshay Kumar

Anees Bazmee is an acclaimed Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, known primarily for his work in the Bollywood comedy genre. His films often feature a blend of humour, drama, and larger-than-life characters, making him one of the most popular directors in mainstream Indian cinema. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Anees Bazmee reveals Ajay Devgn to be very special to him, Salman Khan as a wonderful man and calls Akshay Kumar a prankster.

Anees Bazmee on working Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar & Ajay Devgn

Salman Khan and Anees Bazmee have worked together on two films: No Entry and Ready. While with Ajay Devgn, he directed three films: Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Naam, Hulchul, and Deewangee. Bazmee directed 5 films with Akshay Kumar, namely Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Welcome Back, No Problem, and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.

Anees Bazmee praises Salman Khan

When asked about working with Salman Khan in No Entry, Anees Bazmee recalls the time they spent together, “As I mentioned, there’s nothing I can say about Salman Bhai that would do him justice. He’s a wonderful person who genuinely loves people without any pretence. He cares for others beyond personal gain, which you can see in his demeanour. His presence in No Entry was crucial; without him, the movie wouldn’t have been as successful. All the actors were fantastic, but we needed a big star at that time, and Salman Bhai agreed instantly to the role. I was surprised and grateful for his commitment and the strong bond he shares with producer Boney Ji.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anees Bazmee (@aneesbazmee)

Anees Bazmee about Akshay Kumar

Anees calls the Sooryavanshi actor to be a very disciplined person, he said, “As for Akshay Kumar, I’ve done two of my best films with him, and I believe he feels the same way. If he ever talks about his proudest movies, Welcome would certainly be one of them. Even today, the film remains relevant with its dialogues and memes. Akshay’s pranks are legendary too. He brings fun wherever he goes.”

Bazmee recalls an incident, “I remember one morning he told me to meet him at 6 o’clock, and when he called at 5:30 AM, I realized he meant 6 AM, not PM! That’s how disciplined he is; his lifestyle influences everyone around him.“

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anees Bazmee (@aneesbazmee)

Anees Bazmee on Ajay Devgn

Concluding about his works with the Singham star, Bazmee said, “Ajay Devgn is very special to me because my first film as a director was with him. Though that film didn’t do well, Ajay agreed to work with me again without hesitation. That support and trust have always meant a lot to me, and whenever we meet, it’s like no time has passed. Ajay is incredibly talented; whether in a love story or a comic scene, his performance is always genuine and impactful. He even played a stuttering character beautifully, adding natural expressions. We share a strong friendship, and I know that whenever I approach him with a script, he’ll say, “When do we start?” That’s how much he values our connection.“

Watch the full interview

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Anees Bazmee addresses Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 vs Singham Again box office CLASH; says, “Agar main audience hota toh…”