Anup Soni breaks silence as Ajay Devgn takes over Crime Patrol as new host

Actor Anup Soni has reacted after Ajay Devgn was announced as the new host of Crime Patrol 2026. His comments have refocused attention on the show's long association with him as it enters a new phase.

In Short

• Television viewers were caught off guard by hosting change for Crime Patrol
• Anup Soni said Crime Patrol overshadowed his earlier recall from Balika Vadhu
• Soni cited Anil Kapoor's advice to accept roles audiences strongly remember

Actor Ajay Devgn has been announced as the new host of Crime Patrol, prompting a reaction from former host Anup Soni, who remains closely associated with the long-running true-crime series. The move marks a new phase for the show, with Devgn stepping into a television role that had become strongly linked with Soni.

Speaking about the change, Soni reflected on how deeply Crime Patrol shaped his public image. He said that despite other work in his career, the show continues to be the one audiences remember him for.

While speaking to ANI, Soni said, "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. Before Crime Patrol happened, people used to recognise me for Balika Vadhu. But when Crime Patrol came along, people forgot about Balika Vadhu."

Reflecting on the roles that stay with viewers, Soni also recalled advice from veteran actor Anil Kapoor on how certain projects end up defining an actor’s identity. "Since these things are popular, as an actor, instead of running away from them, you should accept them," he added.

Earlier this week, the makers unveiled the first promo for Crime Patrol 2026, offering a glimpse of Devgn as the show’s new host. In the promo, he speaks about the changing nature of crime and says that perpetrators are often known to their victims before signing off with, “Main rahunga aapke saath ( I will be with you all).” The new season is scheduled to premiere on August 31 on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

The journey of Crime Patrol began in 2003 on Sony Entertainment Television, with Diwakar Pundir as its first host. He was replaced by Shakti Anand in 2004 before the show went off air in 2006. The series returned in 2010 with Anup Soni and Sakshi Tanwar sharing hosting duties, and from 2011 Soni became the sole host, remaining the face most closely associated with the show until 2018.

Apart from television, Devgn also has upcoming films slated for release. He will next be seen in the action film, Chauhaan, directed by Neeraj Yadav and co-produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma.

Devgn will also feature in director Rohit Shetty's Golmaal 5, alongside actors Akshay Kumar, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kemmu, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, and Tusshar Kapoor.

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