Actor Anup Soni has finally broken his silence on Ajay Devgn stepping in as the new host of the popular crime show Crime Patrol. After more than a decade of being the face of the show, Soni is passing the baton to the Bollywood star, and he has nothing but good things to say about the change.
Soni, who became a household name through his long stint on the show, said he is a big fan of Devgn and is sure the actor will bring his own flavour to the programme. He also made it clear that he does not hold any hard feelings about being replaced.
“I don’t have much to say on this. I have had a long and very special association with ‘Crime Patrol,’ and I am grateful for all the love and affection the audience has given me over the years.”
Anup Soni Says He Will Always Be Remembered for Crime Patrol
Even though Ajay Devgn is now the new host, Anup Soni is confident that people will not forget his contribution to the show. In an interview with ANI, he spoke honestly about how Crime Patrol became the defining project of his career.
“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.”
Soni recalled that before Crime Patrol, audiences used to recognise him for his role in the popular TV show Balika Vadhu. But once he started hosting the crime show, that became his identity.
“Before Crime Patrol happened, people used to recognise me for Balika Vadhu. But when Crime Patrol came along, people forgot about Balika Vadhu.”
He also shared some advice he received from veteran actor Anil Kapoor. According to Soni, actors should not try to run away from projects that become very popular. Instead, they should accept them and be proud of the work.
“Since these things are popular, as an actor, instead of running away from them, you should accept them.”
Anup Soni Calls Himself a Big Fan of Ajay Devgn
When asked about Ajay Devgn taking over, Anup Soni did not show any disappointment. In fact, he spoke highly of the Bollywood actor and remembered working with him in the past.
“I am a big fan of Ajay Devgn and have also had the opportunity to share the screen with him in films like Prakash Jha’s Gangaajal and Apaharan.”
Soni said he is looking forward to seeing Devgn host the show and believes the actor will do a great job.
“I am sure he will bring his own style and perspective to the show. I wish the team all the very best for the new season.”
Ajay Devgn Makes His Television Hosting Debut
Ajay Devgn is set to make his television hosting debut with Crime Patrol 2026 – Crime Ka Current Season. The new season is scheduled to premiere on August 31, 2026, on Sony Entertainment Television and will also be available to stream on Sony LIV.
The makers released a promo earlier this week featuring Devgn as the new host. In the video, he talks about how crimes are often committed by people known to the victims.
“They teach us in childhood to beware of strangers. To keep the house locked at night. But in many cases today, the culprit is someone you know. They know your address, have your keys and even have a seat at your dining table.”
He ended the promo with the line, “Iss baar main rahunga aapke saath” (This time, I will be with you).
Devgn has already shot 15 episodes for the upcoming season. Speaking about his new role, he said it feels like a responsibility towards his fans and viewers.
“Coming together with a show like Crime Patrol feels like a responsibility to my fans and viewers. The show has built a legacy of understanding crime stories while driving awareness among viewers.”
What About Anup Soni’s Future Projects?
Even though he is stepping away from Crime Patrol, Anup Soni is not slowing down. He has two new projects lined up – a web series and a film – both set to release soon.
“I have a web series and a film releasing next month, and they’re very different roles. I am hoping the audience will give me the same love and affection in these projects as they did in Crime Patrol.”
Soni is focusing on his acting career and is excited about playing new characters.
Rajesh Tailang May Also Join as Co-Host
Reports suggest that Delhi Crime actor Rajesh Tailang may also host some episodes of the upcoming season. According to sources, Ajay Devgn has filmed only the first 10 episodes, and after that, Tailang could take over as the voice of the show.
However, the exact hosting arrangement has not been finalised yet. It is said that Tailang’s involvement will depend on how the audience responds to Devgn’s episodes.
Related:
A Look Back at Crime Patrol’s Hosting History
Crime Patrol first aired on Sony TV in 2003 with Diwakar Pundir as the host. He was replaced by Shakti Anand in 2004. The show went off air in 2006 but returned in 2010 with Anup Soni and Sakshi Tanwar as co-hosts.
From 2011 to 2018, Anup Soni was the sole host of the show. Over the years, other actors like Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, Sonali Kulkarni, Ashutosh Rana, and Sanjeev Tyagi have also hosted different seasons.
Now, with Ajay Devgn stepping in as the new face, the show is entering a fresh chapter while still keeping the same format of dramatising real crime cases to create awareness among viewers.
Also Read: Ajay Devgn to Host ‘Crime Patrol 2026’ – New Season Premieres August 31 on Sony TV
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