If a poll were to be held to decide which actor played the most memorable cop among all of Bollywood’s heroes, Ajay Devgn’s gritty, courageous and righteous character Bajirao Singham in Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe films would come out on top. The actor with the menacing expression and dark, hooded eyes has swag in his acting that actual cops of the Mumbai Police say is hard to imitate. He is mesmerising in khaki. And when he walks, it seems as if the ground quakes beneath his slow, measured and dangerous stride. In all, Ajay has played the cop five times on screen. As the actor gets ready to reprise his iconic character in Singham Again next week, here is a look at his past outings as the nemesis of all that is bad and evil…
 
Naajayaz (1995)
In Naajayaz, directed by directed by Mahesh Bhatt, Jai (Ajay Devgn) portrays a fearless and dedicated officer who, with his colleague Sandhya (Juhi Chawla), is on a mission to take down the empire of criminal Raj Solanki (Naseeruddin Shah). Devgn’s portrayal showcases his unwavering commitment as an actor.
 
Gangaajal (2003)
In Prakash Jha’s Gangaajal, Ajay Devgn essays the role of Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Kumar, whose principled approach places him in direct conflict with corruption and crime in Tejpur which has a high crime rate and where the police are controlled by gangster Sadhu Yadav (Mohan Joshi) and his son Sunder Yadav (Yashpal Sharma). Devgn’s character fights against the system and confronts the harsh realities of his environment, adding depth to the narrative. 
 
Insan (2005)
Insan, helmed by Tamil director Krishnan Subash, features Ajay Devgn as Ajit Rathod, a police officer tasked with neutralizing terrorist threats while maintaining law and order in a chaotic atmosphere. His mission is to eliminate the infamous terrorist Azhar Khan (Rahul Dev) who is responsible for his wife’s death. 

Aakrosh (2010)
In Aakrosh, directed by Priyadarshan, Ajay Devgn portrays Inspector Pratap Kumar, a determined cop uncovering the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of three university students in a small village. This film delves into issues of caste discrimination and social injustice. Pratap Kumar’s relentless pursuit of the truth highlights the moral complexities faced by law enforcement officials, further solidifying his reputation as a nuanced actor.
 
Singham Series (2011 & 2014)
The character of Bajirao Singham, introduced in Rohit Shetty’s Singham and reprised in Singham Returns, has become one of Ajay Devgn's most iconic roles. Singham is depicted as a larger-than-life figure who embodies the virtues of justice, bravery, and integrity. Devgn’s performance combines action with emotional depth, making Singham a beloved character among Bollywood aficionados. His fierce dedication to end crime and stand up against corruption resonates strongly with audiences.