Ajay Devgn on directing Amitabh Bachchan in Runway 34: Would have been lost if he hadn’t said yes to the film

Ajay Devgn, who once intended to be a filmmaker until fate led him down a different path, doesn't get behind the camera nearly as much as he would like. However, while the script for Runway 34 was being written, the actor knew he wanted to direct it as well. 

During an interaction with Mid Day, Devgn explained that the drama of what the pilots go through when flying through turbulence is fascinating. The drama came out effectively when he started working on the writing.

In the thriller, he plays a pilot who is being probed following a close call on his flight. The actor-filmmaker shared that his character is grey; he is intelligent, yet he insists on doing things his way. Because of his attitude, one initially believes he has done everything wrong. However, things gradually begin to take shape.

Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh also star in Devgn's third directorial effort. Every filmmaker's goal is to direct Amitabh Bachchan. On being quizzed if he considered directing the megastar after sharing screen time with him in multiple films, Devgn said that he couldn't present him with a film and say, "Sir, mere liye yeh part kar lijiye."

The actor called Big B a living legend. As a result, one must give him a personality that befits his stature. Devgn couldn't imagine anyone else in that role, given the character in Runway 34 and the contradictions between our parts. If Bachchan hadn't said yes to the film, Devgn would have been lost.

Every film is an educational experience for the actor. Devgn said that the first two films were more personal. Talking about his learning experience, the actor said that U Me Aur Hum dealt with a husband-wife relationship, whilst Shivaay dealt with a father-daughter relationship. Runway 34 is based on a true story. 

Devgn prefers to direct films that are difficult to make. Shooting in a cockpit is difficult. For critical scenes, they built a 6x6 cockpit. The actor didn't want a larger place because it would appear phoney. He wanted the sense of claustrophobia to be conveyed on screen. He found it difficult to film in such a small space while maintaining the thrill.

As he counts down the days until Eid, Devgn has started work on his next directorial project. He revealed that he is working on a script right now. It may happen next year or the year after that, and it will be an action movie.