Kajol not part of Ajay Devgan's next venture

Mumbai, June 15 (IANS) Kajol, who is busy shooting for her friend Karan Johar's upcoming film "My Name Is Khan", will not be a part of her actor husband Ajay Devgan's new directorial venture.

"I'm directing a film in mid-2009. There is no role for Kajol in my next film. The leading lady's role in that film doesn't suit her," Devgan told IANS.

His directorial debut "U Me Aur Hum" was critically praised for its brave portrayal of the ravages of Alzheimer's.

Devgan, who has not done an action film for long now, said: "My next film as a director would be an action film with an undercurrent of dark humour. Even Milan Luthria's film that I'm acting in is an action film. I believe audiences want to see me back in action. In fact when I made my entry balanced between two speeding cars in 'Golmaal Returns' people immediately remembered my entry in my first film 'Phool Aur Kante'. The action in my directorial venture will be something unusual."

Recalling how he broke many of his bones while performing stunts, the actor said: "Action scenes have become much safer now. Earlier we had to do it all by ourselves. Now when you jump from the fifth floor you're harnessed. Earlier you just did it, or didn't."

He also complained of the stories being made out of his bonding with actor Salman Khan. The two actors recently completed shooting for Vipul Shah's "London Dreams" in which Devgan plays a musician.

"We always have been friends ever since we did 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' together. But we didn't go out partying and pubbing every night together, as was reported. And he didn't present me with any paintings. Where did that come from? I'm right now neck-deep in producing my next film and putting together my next directorial venture," Devgan said.

Devgan, who altered his looks for "London Dreams", said: "I needed to look cooler. So I cut my hair, grew a stubble. Salman and I play very close friends, so naturally we had to have a certain amount of bonding between us. But that's it. What I really enjoyed was shooting in London at one go. No distractions. Vipul is one of the most organised filmmakers I've worked with. And I didn't get much of a chance to miss my family. Kajol and my daughter came for a visit."

Kajol Pictures