Ajay Devgn’s Crime Patrol Debut Turns Into Public Roasting, Raises Questions About Drishyam 3

Ajay Devgn's much-hyped television debut has turned into something nobody associated with the superstar would have wanted — a public roasting. The actor stepped into television as the new face of Crime Patrol, hoping to give the long-running crime franchise a fresh identity. Instead, the first episode has been met with disappointment, and a viral video shared by a senior journalist has intensified the criticism. The journalist questioned Devgn's preparedness and apparent dependence on a teleprompter.

The problem is not that Devgn cannot act. Few would seriously make that argument. He has spent more than three decades building one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable careers. But television is an entirely different beast. A film actor can repeat takes. Television, particularly a fast-moving crime anthology like Crime Patrol, demands immediacy, rhythm, authority and communication. In Devgn's opening outing, audiences saw a film star attempting to perform television rather than an actor naturally belonging to the format.

The viral video has put that perception under an even brighter spotlight. The journalist criticised Devgn for appearing to read from a teleprompter and questioned the execution of his debut. Social media users have also speculated that his portions looked disconnected, with some claiming they were shot separately using a green-screen setup. Those claims remain unverified, but the perception has become part of the backlash.

What makes the reaction particularly damaging is the comment section. This was not merely anonymous trolling. Actors and people claiming television-production experience joined the conversation. Actress Maleeka R Ghai highlighted the difference between film and television acting, arguing that many film actors struggle with television's relentless pace, where performers may have to execute numerous scenes in a single shift with limited preparation. She also questioned the pay disparity between film stars and television actors. Her verdict on the new Crime Patrol was blunt: the show has lost its charm.

Another artist, Bhavika, was equally unforgiving. She called the first case "highly disappointing", specifically singling out Devgn's voice for lacking depth and intensity. Her comparison to a weak radio transmission was particularly brutal. She stressed that the problem was the execution, not Devgn personally. She also pointed to Anup Soni as the "OG face" of Crime Patrol.

That comparison is Devgn's biggest hurdle. Soni became synonymous with the show's identity through years of restrained, serious narration. He understood the format because he belonged to it. Devgn, by comparison, looked like a Bollywood star being asked to impersonate a television host.

Then came another revealing comment. A commenter named Sarfaraz claimed that Devgn's portions were not directed by the regular Crime Patrol directors and alleged that his shoot took place at YRF Studios rather than the location used for the rest of the episodes. He argued that the show's experienced directors could have extracted a much stronger performance. The claim remains unverified, but it raises a question: if the format has a proven grammar, why was Devgn not made to speak it?

Viewers saw the final product. And they did not like it.

The timing could hardly be worse. Devgn is heading towards Drishyam 3, a film carrying enormous expectations after the success of its predecessors. His recent theatrical run has also invited scrutiny, with sections of the audience accusing him of leaning too heavily on remakes, familiar formulas and established franchises. The Chauhaan controversy has only added to the noise.

Crime Patrol could have changed that conversation. It could have put Devgn back in front of millions and built goodwill before his next film. Instead, the debut has become another talking point about a superstar whose choices are being questioned.

One bad episode does not end a career. But when a television debut produces a viral takedown, actors openly criticise the performance and viewers question the casting itself, the warning signs become difficult to ignore.

For Devgn, Crime Patrol was supposed to be a comeback conversation. Instead, it has become another conversation he would probably rather avoid. And with Drishyam 3 waiting in the wings, the question is no longer simply whether Ajay Devgn can deliver another hit. It is whether the superstar can still make audiences believe he is worth waiting for.

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