Ajay Devgn replaces Anup Soni as Crime Patrol host… actor makes TV debut with a major twist

Ajay Devgn is about to enter a completely new territory in his career.

The Bollywood star is making his television hosting debut with the upcoming season of Crime Patrol, taking over as the face of the long-running crime series after Anup Soni, who became closely identified with the franchise over the years.

Ajay confirmed the development on Monday by sharing a teaser for the new season on Instagram.

The actor accompanied the promo with the line:“Iss baar main rahunga aapke saath… Crime Patrol 2026 – Crime Ka Current Season.”

The teaser marks a major change in the presentation of one of Indian television’s most recognisable crime franchises.

Ajay Devgn has already shot 15 episodes

According to an IANS report, Ajay has already completed filming for approximately 15 episodes of the upcoming season.

However, the total number of episodes that he will eventually host has not been confirmed.

His association with the show could reportedly depend on how audiences respond to his hosting and how the episodes perform in terms of TRP ratings.

In other words, Ajay’s stint could potentially continue if viewers respond positively to this new version of Crime Patrol.

Why did Ajay choose Crime Patrol?

Ajay described the opportunity as more than simply another television assignment.

Speaking about his debut, the actor said that joining a show with the legacy of Crime Patrol comes with a responsibility towards viewers.

He highlighted the show’s focus on crime awareness and said he hoped to help audiences approach stories inspired by real cases with caution rather than fear.

The actor’s comments suggest that the new season will continue Crime Patrol’s established approach of presenting dramatized stories based on cases that have attracted public attention.

Anup Soni’s association with Crime Patrol

For many viewers, Anup Soni has been synonymous with Crime Patrol.

Soni became one of the most recognisable presenters associated with the franchise, bringing a distinctive and serious presentation style to its crime stories.

The show originally premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on May 9, 2003, and has gone through numerous changes over the years.

Its different editions have included titles such as Crime Patrol Dastak, Crime Patrol Satark and Crime Patrol Dial 100, among others.

Across these iterations, the basic format has remained centred on dramatized crime stories and the investigations surrounding them.

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Ajay is not the first celebrity host of Crime Patrol

Although Anup Soni is arguably the most recognisable face associated with the franchise, Crime Patrol has had several hosts and presenters over the years.

The list includes Diwakar Pundir, Shakti Anand, Sakshi Tanwar, Sanjeev Tyagi, Divyanka Tripathi, Sonali Kulkarni and Ashutosh Rana, among others.

Ajay’s arrival therefore represents another significant change rather than an entirely unprecedented move for the franchise.

However, his stature as one of Bollywood’s biggest stars makes this particular transition considerably more noticeable.

A new chapter for Crime Patrol

Bringing Ajay Devgn into the show could give Crime Patrol a different identity at a time when television audiences have more viewing choices than ever.

The actor’s serious screen persona could fit naturally into a crime-focused format, while his established popularity could help the series attract viewers who may not regularly watch the franchise.

The real test, however, will come after the episodes begin airing.

If Ajay’s hosting style connects with viewers and the show delivers strong TRPs, his association could become more than a short-term experiment.

Ajay Devgn’s film career remains packed

Ajay is taking on the television assignment at a particularly busy stage of his film career.

The actor already has several projects in the pipeline, including Drishyam 3, Chauhaan and Golmaal 5.

His move into television hosting therefore adds another dimension to an already packed professional schedule.

For now, the biggest question is whether audiences will accept Ajay Devgn in a role traditionally associated with Anup Soni.

Crime Patrol 2026 is preparing to find out.