Ajay Devgan (born Vishal Veeru Devgan on 2 April 1969), also credited as Ajay Devgn, is an Indian film actor, director and producer. He is widely considered as one of the most popular actors of Hindi cinema, who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films.[4][5][6] Devgan has won numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. In 2016, he was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour of the country.Ajay Devgan began his professional career with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991 and received a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance.[10][11] He then starred in successful films such as Jigar (1992), Dilwale (1994), Suhaag (1994), Naajayaz (1995), Diljale (1996) and Ishq (1997). In 1998, he appeared in a critically acclaimed performance in Mahesh Bhatt's drama Zakhm and he received his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie. In 1999, his most-talked-about film was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in which he played Vanraj, a man who tries to unite his wife with her lover.