"People will continue to remember me for Crime Patrol": Anup Soni amid Ajay Devgn taking over hosting duties
Mumbai, August 12
Actor Anup Soni, whose association with Crime Patrol has become one of the most recognisable chapters of his three-decade acting career, believes an actor must embrace the work that leaves a lasting impression on audiences.
His comments come at a time when Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn has taken over the hosting duties of the long-running crime anthology show, bringing renewed attention to Soni's enduring association with the series.
Looking back at his journey, Anup Soni, while speaking to ANI prior to the 'Singham' star being officially announced as the new 'Crime Patrol' host, acknowledged that while actors may take on a wide range of roles, audiences often remember them for the work that becomes most popular.
"Until something bigger than Crime Patrol comes along in my career, no matter how much other work I do, people will continue to remember me for Crime Patrol," he said.
Soni recalled that before Crime Patrol, audiences largely recognised him for his role in the television show 'Balika Vadhu'. However, the success and reach of Crime Patrol eventually overshadowed that association.
"Before Crime Patrol happened, people used to recognise me for Balika Vadhu. But when Crime Patrol came along, people forgot about Balika Vadhu," he said, adding that this is something that happens in every actor's career.
Drawing from advice he remembers receiving from veteran actor Anil Kapoor, Soni said certain roles or projects inevitably become defining points in an actor's journey. Rather than resisting that image, he believes actors should accept it and allow their body of work to shape how audiences perceive them.
"Since these things are popular, as an actor, instead of running away from them, you should accept them," Soni said. He added that an actor's image is ultimately "carved" through the work they choose, the roles they play and the films and web series they become part of.
With Ajay Devgn now stepping into the hosting role on 'Crime Patrol', Soni's reflections offer a look back at the lasting impact the show has had on his career.
Earlier this week, the makers released the first promo featuring Ajay, giving viewers a first look at his role as the new host.
In the promo, Ajay talks about the alleged crime situation in the country and points out that the person behind a crime is often someone known to the victim. He ends the promo by saying, "Main rahunga aapke saath". The show is set to premiere on August 31 on Sony Entertainment Television.
Ajay's entry as the host marks a new phase for 'Crime Patrol', a show that has had several hosts over the years. Actor Anup Soni remains closely associated with the series, having hosted it for several years with his own distinct style.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, main bachpan se Crime Patrol dekhti aa rahi hoon aur Anup Soni ka narration hi us show ki soul tha. Unki awaaz mein jo seriousness thi, woh logon ko aware karti thi. Ajay Devgn bollywood mein bade actor hain, lekin TV audience ke liye Anup ji hi Crime Patrol hain. Hoping Ajay bhi acchi approach le kar aayen. Bas story selection sahi ho toh show ki legacy bani rahegi.
Anup Soni ka statement ekdum sach hai. Actors ke saath aisa hi hota hai - log unhe unke most popular role se yaad rakhte hain. Main khud unhe Crime Patrol ke host ke roop mein hi dekhta hoon, though I've seen his work in Balika Vadhu too. Ajay Devgn as host is an interesting choice, but I hope woh show ki seriousness ko maintain rakhenge. Crime stories ka impact tabhi hota hai jab narration mein woh emotion ho.
Anup Soni ji ka humble approach dil jeet leta hai. They say actors should accept their image, but it's rare to see someone say it so gracefully. Ajay Devgn ka new promo dekh kar lag raha hai woh bhi ek powerful presence laayenge. "Main rahunga aapke saath" - that's a bold statement! Looking forward to the new season, though I'll definitely miss Anup ji ki wo iconic style. 🙏
Interesting perspective from Anup Soni. It's rare to see actors embrace their most iconic roles so openly. I've seen clips of his narration style on Crime Patrol and it definitely had a distinct quality to it. Ajay Devgn's promo does look promising
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