By Hindustan Times
Actor Sanjay Dutt, who gave knock out performances in numerous high-octane movies including hits like Khalnayak, Vaastav and Dus, was startled when action films took a backseat within the mid-90s and comedy took centre stage.
"There was a time when Ajay, Akshay, Jackie, Sunny and me all were called action heroes and we lived in that era for a very long time. And suddenly for us there has been a period of no action..only comedy films were working. I USED TO BE greatly surprised. It was surprising that time," said Sanjay, who explored action with Vijeta Taaqatwar, Kabzaa, and Hathyar, among others.
Also, there has been a period (late 80s-early 90s) when actors like Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff took the audience by surprise.
Akshay was termed the 'Khiladi of Bollywood' with films like Mohra, Sangharsh, Aankhen and the Khiladi series. While Sunny could do nothing but action on screen, giving powerful performances in movies corresponding to Arjun, Betaab, Ghayal, Ziddi and Damini among others.
Ajay's stunts in action films like Jung, Vijaypath and Sangram were also appreciated by all and sundry. Jackie was probably the one charming action hero that Bollywood ever had. He had the appearance and he could carry off action and romance with the similar perfection in films like Parinda, Khalnayak and Trimurti.
But then, there has been a lull and comedy ruled the marquee. However, the 52-year-old actor is now happy that action is coming round again in Hindi films.
"That time I used to speak to Jackie, Sunny or Ajay and all of us used to wonder where action has gone. I'M happy that it has get back and that's what we're the. better part is that South cinema never forgot that (action). That's the reason South films are larger than life...people have fans," Dutt said.
