Chawl Ka Ladka Hamesha Chawl Ka Hi Rahega

"Chawl ka ladka hamesha chawl ka hi rahega, " says Jackie Shroff. The actor, who's been through an amazing journey, both personally and professionally, will be seen playing a journalist in an upcoming film.

Jackie speaks to B-S about how he manages to stay grounded after all these years:

It's in his genes
I didn't deliberately take inspiration from any journalist but it must be inside me somewhere. After all, I have observed journalists over a period of 30 years. In fact, my father was a journalist. So it's in my genes. Even I used to write articles for my website in 1993-94. I used to blog too with pictures. I did that for three years.

Zero illusions
The 30 years of my journey in Bollywood have been superb. It's true I lost my dad, my mom and my brother on the way, but the three went and my wife and two children came in. 'Teen gaye, teen aa gaye!' I grew up at Teen Batti Naka where there were three toilets for 20 people.

People used to stand in queues to use them. I kept living there for nine years after Hero released. I was a superstar but I was living there. I've seen it all, so I don't have any illusions about myself. Somebody writes well about me, I feel good. Somebody writes bad, it's fine.

Staying grounded
I don't have any hang-ups - how can anyone after living 33 years in a chawl? I've had a rock-solid upbringing. I've seen my mother sell her sarees and utensils for my tuition fees. 

When you look up to your parents and realise what they have given up to make you reach a certain standard, then you don't let things like fame and stardom go to your head.

These things stay in your bone marrow, they are too deep inside you. When you wake up in the morning, haath pair chal raha hai, be grateful for that. Jaan hai to jahaan hai, my father used to say. Now I understand.
Son rise
My son doesn't ask me for advice and I don't give it. He has already seen what he needs to learn. Things like treating everyone equally - right from the spot boy to the producer, to taking it in your stride whether someone writes good or bad, to not letting stardom go to your head if some of your films become super hits - he knows all this.

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Height Hai, Body Hai, Aawaz Hai. Khada Ho Jata Hoon Toh Dikh Jata Hoon

Actor talks about his formula for a long-lasting Bollywood career and his son Tiger's debut

Sitting in his plush 14th floor apartment near Bandstand, Jackie Shroff is in a reflective mood. Having completed 30 years in cinema, film offers for the veteran actor are far from drying up. In fact, Shroff states that of late, offers are just pouring in non-stop. Jackie speaks to us about the highs and lows of stardom...

Are you nervous about your son making his debut soon?
Not at all! When my first film released, I was sleeping at that hour. You have to take it easy. You've worked sincerely, now what happens is up to the audience. Toh khoon jalaane se kya faayda?
You're playing the lead in a Hindi film after a very long time...
The first 15 years of my career I did sing songs but I never really danced. Then came the trend of two-hero films. So there was me and Anil, me and Sunny and so on. I kept doing anything that came my way. Mujhe farak hi nahi padta. Height hai, body hai, aawaz hai, discipline hai. Khada ho jata hoon toh dikh jata hoon (smiles).

You stayed busy with regional films along the way...
Yes and that's the time I started getting roles here again. The first Tamil film I did, Aaranya Kaandam, it got a National Award. It had people looking at me in a different light again. Then came Dhoom 3, Aurangzeb... Tigmanshu Dhulia's assistant offered me a great cameo in his film and then I'm in Rajinikanth's Kochadaiyaan.
Was this a turning point?
It could be as they are really strong roles. I had been playing roles in Telugu and Tamil films but in Hindi, they were scattered. You can rule the roost for 15 years and then it's time to let the newer lot take over. It always happens.

Bachchan ji was at his peak, then he went down, now he's at the peak again. I have no illusions. Bahut dekha, bahut khaya, bahut maze liye, abhi bhi le raha hoon!

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SRK and Jackie Shroff to reunite?

Dev Das co-stars Shah Rukh and Jackie Shroff might team up together on the big screen again

Get ready to watch Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Shroff together on the big screen again. After appearing together for the first time in King Uncle, they have worked together in quite a few films including their last blockbuster Devdas

Sources say that both of them will be seen together again in Farah Khan's forthcoming film.

While refusing to divulge any detail, Jackie says, Farah has spoken to me but I am yet to sign the film. I have not heard the script and my role, so I would not like to comment on that.

Ask him about working with SRK and Farah in the past, Jackie states, SRK is my younger brother and the love and affection that he has given me right from King Uncle till our last film Devdas is the same and vice versa.

He is a simple chap and it would be great to work with him again. As far as Farah goes, she pulls her hair out whenever she has choreographed songs with me. She wants me to dance like Hrithik but dance karate karate paagal ho jati hai!

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Language no barrier between Dutch director, Jackie

Dutch filmmaker Laurens Postma is making his Bollywood debut with "Cover Story: The Ultimate Interview" but language was never a problem even though he doesn't know Hindi, says Jackie Shroff, who plays the male lead.

"I asked him, 'You don't know Hindi, how will you manage?'. He said, 'No problem, language is not a problem'. So he was someone who knew the emotions," Jackie said Monday at the launch of the first look of the film.

An official remake of Dutch film "The Interview", "Cover Story" will see Jackie as a journalist discovering the life of a glamorous actress, played by debutant Anjum Nayar.

"It was just a great experience to work with a newcomer (actress Sheena Nayar) who is so good. Secondly, working with an international director, who didn't even pat an eyelid when I spoke in Hindi, it was just fantastic," the 52-year-old said.

Playing a journo was a cakewalk for Jackie, thanks to his long stint in showbiz.

"I have faced a lot of journalists in the last 30 years and have faced all kinds of questions. My father was a journalist, he used to work in Blitz. So, for me, it was not very tough. My director handled me and I also had my father's qualities. I have a lot of journalist friends also, so it was not such a big issue," Jackie said.

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Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya is Tiger's girl?

Buzz is that Tiger Shroff has got a leading lady in Athiya Shetty for his debut film 'Heropanti'

Suniel and Mana Shetty's daughter Athiya is all set to make her Bollywood debut. The 18-year-old is said to have been cast opposite Jackie Shroff's son Tiger in Heropanti. 

A while ago, when Suniel Shetty walked into an event accompanied by Athiya, apparently there was an immediate beeline of filmmakers wanting to sign the young lady for their films. Looks like Sajid Nadiadwala has beaten everyone else in the race and signed Miss Shetty. 
Our source says, Athiya apparently always wanted to make a career in Bollywood and even went to the New York Film Academy for a course in filmmaking. Both Suniel and Mana are said to be extremely supportive of their little daughter in her decision to pursue her career as an actress.
On his part, Suniel Shetty refused to comment on our story and instead asked us to get in touch with his manager, who remained unavailable.

However, the director of Heropanti, Sabbir Khan says, I'm yet to see the audition tapes, as I was out of town. Incidentally, Suniel Shetty had worked with Sajid in Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), when the filmmaker was starting his career as a producer.

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I am like an Alphonso mango

Jackie Shroff on his rare on screen appearances, his son Tiger and memories of his former home at Teen Batti chawl

Meeting Jackie Shroff for an interview is always a pleasure. The veteran actor is an epitome of serenity. Over a hot cup of chai in his spanking new Bandra Band Stand residence, Jackie speaks...

Your son Tiger is making his debut in Heropanti. Any advice for him? 
Heropanti kar raha hai woh. Maaza aayega. I think it is a super title. I was the hero and he will do heropanti. However, he has an identity of his own and is not a replica of me. He is fond of sports and plays extraordinary basketball and soccer.

We used to play kabbadi and kho kho and he is already ahead of me in comparisons. I have full faith in Sajid Nadiadwala and my son. Sajid is among the top producers in the industry today. 
You will be seen playing a journalist in Cover Story... 
Yes, it will for the first time. In 30 years of my career, I have faced verbal volleys from you all. Now I am playing a journalist, who actually is a war correspondent but is forced by his editor to go and interview an actress.

He doesn't want to do it as he feels anyone can do the job. However, once he enters the house to interview her, the film turns into an intrigue and from thereon, it's only these two characters. 

How did Dutch director Laurence Postma convince you to do the film? 
My daddy Kakubhai Haribhai Shroff was a journalist. It is something I have never done before and that's what made me say yes to the film. I have been very fond of writing. I used to write on my web page way back in 1992-93. Lekin aajkal log blog shog ke bat karte hai. 
Shouldn't you do films with big banners? 
Jitna hai bahut hai. Main ek film karta hoon ek time pe. Even Aamir, Shahrukh and Salman do that. 

The only difference is that I do films within my budget and they do it in their own. Un logo ka bumaboom (noise) karne ke liye dus log hai aas pass lekin agar raaste pe aaj bhi khade rah jaye, to jitni bheed wahha jayegi, utni mere pas bhi aayegi.

When you want to eat an Alphonse mango you have to wait for one year. Jackie Shroff ko dekhna hai to thoda wait to karna padega!

You have sold your iconic Mount Mary house. Don't you miss it? 
I shifted to this house three to four months back. I don't miss that house. The house I miss is my chawl house in Teen Batti. That is where my memories are. Unfortunately, after my brother passed away my mother sold the house. It is what I always miss.

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When Rajesh Khanna gave Jackie a complex!

Actor Jackie Shroff says the way his sisters went gaga over late Rajesh Khanna's "Aradhana" years back ended up giving him a complex about his looks.

"As a teenager, both my sisters took me along to watch the movie 'Aradhana'. And the way they were reacting sitting besides me, made me think that 'My sisters used to call me handsome, but who is he', " the 55-year-old said here.

"Aradhana" proved to be a path-breaking success for Rajesh Khanna aka Kaka, who passed away July 18 following illness.

Jackie credits his sisters for introducing him to the late superstar's on-screen magic.

"I grew up watching Kakaji's songs, and became such a big fan of him. So, my sisters introduced me to Kakaji. I think he was phenomenal, " added the actor on the sidelines of a musical tribute held for Rajesh Khanna here.

Among Jackie's favourite films of the legend are "Aradhana", "Train" and "Ittefaq".

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Jackie, Amrita to pair up after almost two decades

Jackie Shroff takes on 'Aurangzeb', to be paired opposite Amrita Singh for the first time after 'Aaina' 

After working together in Yash Chopra's Aaina almost two decades ago, Jackie Shroff and Amrita Singh will be sharing screen space in another film under the same banner. 

Our source says, They have been paired opposite each other. Other details have been kept under wraps.
Jackie is happy to be working with Amrita once again and says, She is one of the finest actresses I have worked with. It's also nice to be working with younger actors (read Arjun Kapoor).

A source from the production house also tells us that a small puja is being organised at the studio, post which the shooting will commence.

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Expletive video gone Viral: Jackie Shroff to Sue for Defamation

Jackie Shroff whose colourful expletives in a video leaked from 1998 on the internet, has gone viral is also taking legal action. An aunt abuse in Marathi has specially caught the nation’s attention. 

Jackie who initially laughed away the “archival oddity” as “someone out to have fun at my cost” has decided to take serious legal action. 

Speaking from outside Ajmer Sharif where he has gone to shoot K C Bokadia’s latest creation, Jackie says, “I thought I’d just ignore it. If someone out there gets his 15 minutes of glory by using my name so be it. After all these are not words and phrases that are alien to us. We’ve all grown up hearing and using them. And if anyone wants to act holier-than-thou about them then then that’s their problem. ”

Jackie grievance pertains to the sneaking and underhand way the video was out. “Why after so many years? It’s mischievous and uncalled-for. Friends have advised me to sue. I don’t know how internet crimes are dealt with. I’m going to consult my lawyers as soon as I return to Mumbai. ”

Jackie however is not apologetic about using the language that he did. “I remember we were working under very taxing conditions to shoot this social awareness campaign for polio. I wasn’t getting my lines right, so I got annoyed. And I let loose some colourful language.
I do that when my work goes wrong. When I was dubbing for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda Sanjay Leea Bhansali was an assistant. I used the same aunt expletive. Bhansali was aghast. 

He asked Vinod what I meant. But no offence meant. And no apologies offered. However If you use my face and words to create an unnecessary tamasha it’s time for me to take action. Otherwise ten other people may be encouraged to behave badly with me. ”

Jackie is currently shooting K C Bokadia’s political thriller Dirty Politics near Ajmer Sharif. It stars Jackie, Atul Kulkarni, Om Puri, Anupam Kher and Ashutosh Rana. 

Says Jackie, “It’s a comment on presentday politics. Boakadia Saab is directing the film. I had done Teri Mehebaniyan for the same banner 22 years ago. How time flies! It’s wondferful to be back working for Bokadia Saab. ”

Jackie has worked with Atul, Anupam and Om before. “It’s wonderful to be reunited with them. They are are so talented. ”

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What's cooking: Aamir invites Jackie over dinner

Aamir Khan recently invited Jackie Shroff to have dinner with him at his Panchgani house


When Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff realised they were both at Panchgani at the same time, both decided to make the most of it. Jackie was at the hill station to shoot for Ananth Mahadevan’s next, while Aamir was there for a holiday with wife Kiran Rao. 

It was then that Aamir decided to drop in on the sets of Ananth’s film. Our source from the sets says, “It was the day when Jackie was to shoot a very crucial scene where he is supposed to kill himself.

And when Aamir dropped in on the sets, we were all surprised. Jackie had invited him and they got along like a house on fire and they bonded really well.” Jackie is also said to be playing Aamir’s father in Yash Chopra’s upcoming production.

Our source also says that Aamir not only met Jackie but also greeted members of the crew. The actor then invited Jackie and Ananth to have dinner with him. Aamir, who bought a house from Homi Adajania in Panchgani spends a lot of time holidaying in the hill station.

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Dhoom 3: Jackie Shroff to play Aamir Khan's mentor

In real life Aamir Khan has been ‘mentoring’ Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger. But on screen we will see Aamir’s character being ‘mentored’ by Jackie in Yashraj’s Dhoom 3. 

Ironically Jackie who is very fond of Aamir in real life, has no scenes with Aamir, although they play Guru-Chela in Dhoom 3 and although the two are extremely fond of one another from the time they did Rangeela together. 

Jackie role, reliable sources tell us, ends where Aamir’s begins. 

Says the source, “Jackie plays the childhood Aamir Khan’s guru and mentor. So all of Jackie’s scenes are with the child actor who plays the young Aamir. ”

Apparently the producers have found a boy who’s a dead-ringer for Aamir. The child actor, says a source, not only looks like Aamir he also conveys the same gravity in his personality. 

Ironically Aamir doesn’t play a serious character in Dhoom 3. 

Says our source, “He is a guy who loves masti. He is always up to some trick or the other. Jackie and the child will recreate the bonding that Jackie shared with Master Makarand in Mahesh Bhatt’s Kaash. And no, Jackie doesn’t need to get into better physical shape. He’s playing the child Aamir’s mentor, not his physical trainer. ”

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