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Legendary actor Jackie Shroff, affectionately called ‘Jaggu Dada,’ has been a part of over 220 films in 13 languages.
Jackie Shroff has spoken about his son Tiger Shroff on various occasions highlighting how proud he is of his success. (Image: tigerjackieshroff/Instagram)
Jackie Shroff Birthday: Bollywood’s bidu Jackie Shroff, adorably called ‘Jaggu Dada’ is a legendary actor beloved for his movies and life mantras. Hailing from Mumbai, the actor has been a part of more than 220 films in 13 languages. As proof of his mettle, he has won four Filmfare Awards throughout his illustrious career. As we celebrate his 68th birthday on February 1, let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting his top ten films, memorable songs, and times when he spoke about his son Tiger Shroff’s success and the values he has instilled in him.
Why Does Jackie Shroff Carry A Plant Wherever He Goes
Known for his unique environmental advocacy, Jackie Shroff is often seen making a green statement at various events and functions including the grand launch of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Subhash Ghai’s birthday party in 2023 and even Alanna Panday’s wedding. The purpose? To encourage environmental protection and reduce pollution through tree planting.
During an interview with Mid-day, he said, “I didn’t do any favor to the world by planting trees. Everyone’s job is to plant, apply, if you want to plant a new one, then die by burning. That’s what’s going to happen. You don’t have to think of your child’s child. I’m half in the grave. Others will also come, our pillars will come.”
The actor also spoke about why he carries Spider plant. Highlighting its benefits, he said that the plant comes with a unique ability to remove elements like benzene from the air while providing oxygen in return. “Recently, I learnt about this and I felt I should have it around me,” he noted.
Jackie Shroff: Top 10 Movies
- Hero (1983): The film marked Jackie Shorff’s debut in the Hindi film industry. The romantic action flick saw the actor sharing screen space with Meenakshi. His portrayal of a renowned gangster known as Jackie Dada earned him the moniker of ‘Dada’.
- Ram Lakhan (1989): The 1989 blockbuster featured the veteran star with Anil Kapoor in the lead. The action-crime drama exploring the tale of two brothers struck a chord with the audience. Jackie proved his versatility as a talented actor in the film.
- Parinda (1989): One of the cult classics of the industry, the multi-starrer movie featured Jackie as Kishan. Based on the story of two brothers, Kishan and Karan, as they are forced to face the main antagonist Anna, the film was loved by the audiences.
- Khalnayak (1993): A Subhash Ghai Blockbuster, Khalnayak starred Sanjay Dutt in the lead role. Jackie Shroff received accolades for his convincing performance as Inspector Ram, bringing depth and gravitas to the narrative.
- Rangeela (1995): For the film, Jackie collaborated with director Ram Gopal Varma. He showcased his acting prowess in the film despite being a supporting character. The film starred Aamir Khan and Urmila Matondkar in the lead roles.
- Devdas (2002): Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic drama has Jackie essaying the role of Chunni Babu which is etched in our hearts forever. The grey-shade character proved Jackie can ace complex roles with nuance and honesty. Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit played the lead roles in the film.
- King Uncle (1993): As the strict family head, Jackie nailed his comic timing in the film. In this cult classic, his character gets melted by a young orphan, demonstrating that humour is also one of his hidden talents.
- 1942: A Love Story (1994): This period romance depicted the fiery spirit of freedom struggle. His performance as a fearless fighter affirmed his ability to portray any role with depth. The film even earned him a Best Supporting Actor Filmfare Award.
- Mission Kashmir (2000): Shedding his romantic man persona, Jackie played the challenging role of a chilling terrorist, earning him another award nomination for the film. Furthermore, it proved his fearlessness in exploring dark characters with honesty and dedication.
- Khujli (2017): This award-winning short film is a heartwarming tale of a middle-aged couple exploring their sexual fantasies. Jackie and Neena Gupta’s honest performances in this quirky film resonated with many fans.
- Baby John (2024): Varun Dhawan starrer also featured Wamiqa Gabbi and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. Directed by Kalees, the film saw Jackie playing an antagonist. Although the film failed to perform well, Jackie’s role won hearts.
Jackie Shroff’s Memorable Songs
- Pyar Karne Wale (1983): Subhash Ghai’s Hero played a crucial role in Jackie’s career. Furthermore, its song Pyar Karne Wale, sung by Anuradha Paudwal and Manhar Udhas, won hearts becoming a fan-favorite upon its release.
- Hum Na Samjhe The (1993): This song, from the film Gardish, directed by Priyadarshan, is sung by the legendary SP Balasubrahmanyam. It was penned by Javed Akhtar, whereas RD Burman joined in to compose the beautiful song. The soulful song perfectly captured the essence of the longing of an elderly couple separated from their son.
- Yeh Safar (1994): 1942: A Love Story marked RD Burman’s final film composition. Featuring Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala, the song is a testament to the maestro’s magic. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics added to Shibaji Chatterjee’s rendition.
- Amma Dekh Tera Munda (1994): The song is a departure from his previous ballads and remains a cult classic. Bali Brahmbhatt and Alka Yagnik’s energetic voice and relatable lyrics made the song a hit that resonates with many mothers.
- Hai Rama (1995): AR Rahman’s song from the film Rangeela was an instant hit upon release for its sensuous melody. The unique mix of Indian classical elements perfectly complements its choreography. It is sung by Hariharan and Swarnalatha,
Jackie Shroff On Tiger’s Success
Jackie Shroff has spoken about his son Tiger Shroff on various occasions highlighting how proud he is of his success.
Jackie Shroff On Being Called Tiger Shroff’s Father
During an appearance on the podcast of Ranveer Allahbadia, the actor talked about being recognised as Tiger Shroff’s father by Gen Z. He confessed, “You know whenever I have met Tiger, I have understood one thing, that we are yet to see the best of the best of Tiger Shroff.”
“Most of the mothers, instead of calling me by my name, say that ‘Tiger Shroff’s dad’. So I like it. I said ‘Yes he has become a star’. I like that I am getting recognition because of my child. Every father wants it. It’s normal,” he added.
Jackie Shroff On Values He Has Tried To Instill In Tiger
During his appearance on the podcast of Ranveer Allahbadia, Jackie shared that he has strived to transfer the values he learned from Dev Anand, such as humility, the importance of respecting everyone and staying in the present.
Speaking with SCREEN in 2023, Jackie Shroff also revealed how he motivates his son Tiger Shroff when his films don’t perform well. Talking to Siddharth Kanan, the actor said, “He sits home, all sad, of course he feels a little heartbreak. It hurts but he knows how to recover. So then I tell him that he has to rise after every fall.”
In another interview, Jackie Shroff admitted to having little contribution in bringing up Tiger to be such a good guy’. He told the Indian Express, “Three goddesses have brought him up as I was always away for work. Whenever I returned, I used to pamper him. I’m glad I couldn’t spoil him. He’s on a different plane altogether, the way he is disciplined towards his craft and fitness.”
Here’s wishing Jackie Shroff a very Happy Birthday!
