Ajay Mengi, a successful US-based entrepreneur originally from the steel city, is all set to step into the world of acting in the mainstream cinema. He will make his acting debut in the upcoming Hindi biopic “Ajey – The Untold Story of a Yogi,” inspired by the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The film is based on Shantanu Gupta's book ‘The Monk Who Became Chief Minister’.
The film also stars Paresh Rawal, Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', Ajay Mengi, Pavan Malhotra, Garima Singh, Rajesh Khattar in key roles.
A former student of St. Joseph’s School, Jamshedpur, Ajay hails from a humble background. His father worked at TELCO, while his mother was a homemaker. He pursued engineering at the Regional Engineering College in Nagpur and later completed a Master’s in Computer Applications from RIT.
“An array of memories flash into my mind as I come back to the city. Coming back to my home town is always nostalgic. I am happy to be back. I left the city in 1998 and moved to the US. I have gained expertise in different fields and entered real estate and then transitioned into the hospitality industry,” said Mengi, while interacting with the media.
Ajay fondly recalls the lush greenery, local festivals, and the tight-knit community that shaped his childhood. His favourite memories include school functions, street food stalls, and evenings spent with friends near Jubilee Park — moments that continue to inspire his storytelling.
Although acting was his childhood dream, Ajay’s early struggles in Mumbai didn’t bring the success he hoped for. He managed a small role in a television series, but financial constraints pushed him to return to Jamshedpur, where he joined TISCO for a stable career.
Later, Ajay moved to the United States with his wife Ritu Mengi, an Economics graduate from Rourkela with a Master’s degree in MIS. The couple initially entered real estate and then transitioned into the hospitality industry. Today, they own and manage three prominent hotels under the Hilton, Wyndham, and Marriott brands.
Despite his business success, Ajay never let go of his passion for acting. His role in “Ajey” marks a powerful comeback to the world of performance arts — a dream rekindled after years of dedication in another field.
“ I have returned to India with a purpose, to contribute meaningfully to my homeland. I believe in“First Nation” and support local talent, arts, and entrepreneurship. I am investing significantly—both financially and personally—in building a network that uplifts India’s creative and social fabric. I want to create job opportunities for people here,” Ajay.
Ajay is now making a significant investment in India, beginning with a high-profile theatrical film set to release the movie Yogi in June 2025.
His journey from the bylanes of Jamshedpur to global entrepreneurship and now to Bollywood is both inspiring and motivating. Ajay Mengi’s story is a testament to the idea that dreams can be delayed, but never denied — with persistence and belief, they can be revived at any stage of life.