With the greeting, 'A Big Hello to all of you...', actor Ajay Devgn appeared on air as the host, demonstrating his status as a Bollywood star. However, his appearance in the crime show Crime Patrol was less impressive than expected because he did not choose a reality show or quiz format, as stars like Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan did. He became the host of the cult television show Crime Patrol 2026.
Viewers had high hopes, imagining how Devgn could stir the hearts of the audience while narrating crimes. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met. In films, Ajay played roles so convincingly that it seemed only he could play them. But on television, the situation turned out differently. Viewers feel it would be better if Anup Sony were the host.
Ajay replaced Anup Sony, whose narrative style traditionally created the atmosphere for the entire Crime Patrol. The question arises: was Ajay able to fill this void? Or did the creators, in trying to leverage star power, lose the program's true charm? Is keeping Ajay as the host not a losing deal?
When it became known that Ajay would host the show, the question quickly spread online: are the channel and producers trying to monetize Ajay's star status, brand, and image as 'Singham'? Watching the show confirms these fears, as Ajay looks out of place in the role of host. Especially fans of Anup Sony will not like him. Although Ajay's aura matches a serious and intense personality, which suits this show, his hosting feels unnatural.
His delivery of dialogues sounds more like a teleprompter translator than natural speech. His low voice and intense demeanor are positive, but overall his presentation is far from ideal. It gives the impression that Ajay was given a script and told: 'Sir, say these lines.' He failed to create the atmosphere of tension and fear inherent in crime. His speech lacks the natural flow that is the essence of shows like Crime Patrol.
Those who have seen Anup Sony know how harmoniously his hosting style combined with crime stories. In the current episodes, the criminal situation was clearly evident in Anup's expressions and screen presence. It seemed as if what happened in the episode occurred right in front of him, and he could convey the feeling of that crime to the viewer so deeply. There was an ease in his manner of hosting; he inspired trust in the audience, making them feel not just like viewers, but like someone close who warns against crime.
However, this did not happen in the case of Ajay Devgn. It seems that after the episode was ready, he was simply given the lines, and the actor delivered all the dialogues in one take. The consequences of the crime's deep trauma are not reflected in his actions or facial expressions. Ajay's film status as 'Singham' is impressive and cinematic, but this show does not seem to be for him. He looks like Ajay Devgn, not a crime host. He failed to establish himself between the story and the audience.
Since Ajay is a superstar of the industry, when he tells a crime story, viewers see Ajay Devgn the 'Star', whereas in a crime show, the focus should be on the story and the crime itself, not the host. In the case of the actor, the crime took a backseat, and Ajay Devgn himself dominated the screen.
The funniest and strangest thing is Ajay's way of introducing himself when he says, 'A Big Hello to all of you...'. It needs to be explained that this is not a show like 'Coffee with Karan' or 'Big Boss', but a crime show. His greeting style does not match the sensitivity of the crime genre. The lecture he delivers at the end of the show also sounds boring. Whereas Anup Sony's closing line, 'Be careful, be vigilant,' left a deep impression on the viewers.
The main flaw in Ajay's hosting is his star image and serious, dramatic nature, which overpowered the host's natural approach. The show requires a host who not only lives the story but also conveys it easily to the viewers. Although Ajay's appearance was grand, he could not bring the spontaneity and connection that Anup Sony demonstrated.
Partially, the responsibility for Ajay Devgn not being the ideal host of Crime Patrol lies with the creators. They simply changed the host without making any changes to the rest of the show. The old cast, narrative style, and investigation process remained the same, causing viewers to constantly recall Anup Sony. If the creators had changed the format, theme, and narrative style along with the host, viewers would not have felt such dissatisfaction. In the new season, the old formula has largely been repeated. There are no new elements in the show except for Ajay.
Information has come in that Ajay will appear in 15 episodes of Crime Patrol. It remains to be seen whether Anup Sony will return at the request of the public or not.