Jaikishan Kakubhai Saraf[2] (born 1 February 1957), known by hisscreen nameJackie Shroff, is an Indian actor and former model fromMumbai,Maharashtra, who primarily works in theHindi film industry. In a career spanning over four decades, he has appeared in250 films in 13 languages.[n 1][3][4] He has received several accolades including fourFilmfare Awards.
In addition to his acting career, Shroff is an environmentalist. He is married to model and producerAyesha Dutt, with whom he has two children, actorTiger Shroff and entrepreneurKrishna Shroff.[10]
Shroff's father came from a family of merchants and traders. However, they lost all of their money in the stock market and his father had to leave home at the age of 17. His father met his mother when they were both teenagers and got married.[14]
Shroff dropped out of junior college after finishing his 11th class. He was raised in the Teen batti locality of Mumbai. In his childhood, he fought many street fights for his friends and often got beat up. His father Kakubhai was an astrologer.[11]
As a youngster, he modelled in a few advertisements including Savage perfumes. It was one of his classmates in school who gave Shroff his name "Jackie" and then filmmaker Subhash Ghai stuck to this name when he launched him in the filmHero.[16][17] Shroff regularly revisits his childhood home in Teen Batti.[18]
Jackie Shroff dropped out of school after his 11th standard as his family did not have much money. He tried his hand working as an apprentice chef atTaj Hotels and as aflight attendant atAir India, but he was rejected from both places because of his lack of qualifications.[19] He then started working as a travel agent in a local company called Trade Wings nearJehangir Art Gallery.[15] An advertising agency accountant spotted him at the bus stand and asked him if he would be interested in modelling. The next day, Shroff went to the advertising agency (National advertising agency) located in the same building as Davar's college nearFlora Fountain for the photo shoot during his lunch time. This photo shoot for a suit shirt launched Shroff on his modelling path.[20] Aasha K Chandra, who was running an acting school, asked Shroff to join her class. Initially, Shroff refused, but after she said thatDev Anand's sonSuneil Anand is also attending her class, Shroff enrolled there. Suneil Anand introduced Shroff to his father, Dev Anand, who gave Shroff his first acting role.[11]
In 1982, Shroff made his acting debut inDev Anand's 1982 filmSwami Dada. In his first meeting with Anand, he was offered the second lead role but after 15 days, Anand changed his mind and gave the role toMithun Chakraborty. Shroff was cast as one of the henchmen ofShakti Kapoor in an uncredited role.[21]
Shroff during a script narration session
In 1983, Subhash Ghai cast Shroff in the lead role for the action romanceHero, paired withMeenakshi Sheshadri. The film was a major commercial success, and one of the highest grossers of 1983. The film made Shroff and Seshadri into overnight stars.[17][22] Shroff continued to work in Subhash Ghai films, irrespective of any role that was offered. AfterHero, Shroff did several other films, such asAndar Baahar (1984),Jaanoo andYudh (both released in 1985). All of these films were successful. In 1986, he was seen inKarma, which became the highest-grossing film of the year. His next film to be released wasKaash (1987). Later films, such asDahleez (1986) andSachché Ká Bol-Bálá (1989) failed at the box office. However, he came back to success through films such asRam Lakhan,Tridev andParinda (all 1989). His performance inParinda won him his onlyFilmfare Award for Best Actor.
During the 2000s, he appeared in supporting roles inMission Kashmir (2000), which earned him his only nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Villain,Yaadein (2001),Devdas (2002) andHulchul (2004), earning two nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor forYaadein andDevdas. In 2006, Shroff acted in the children's filmBhoot Ukle. He played negative roles inBhagam Bhag (2006) andHousefull3 (2016).[24] During this period, he also appeared in twoMarathi films.
In 2010, he appeared in the filmBhoot and Friends.[25] In 2011, he appeared in a cameo role in the filmShraddha In The Name Of God directed by Gurubhai Thakkar.[26]
In 2017, Shroff made his debut inKonkani, acting in the filmSoul Curry, which earned him the Goa State Award for Best Actor. Subsequently, he acted in another Konkani film released in 2019, titledKantaar.[27][28]
In October 2018, he acted in a short film,The Playboy Mr. Sawhney.[29] He was also seen inPaltan (2018). He features in many films in 2019 likeFirrkie,Bharat,Saaho, andRomeo Akbar Walter.[30] He is also going to star inPrasthanam, which Hindi remake of Telugu film with same name alongsideAli Fazal andSanjay Dutt.[31]
Shroff has hosted many television shows likeLehrein,Chirtrahar andMissing.[33] Dealing with stories of missing people who were never found,Missing was popular for its creative narration by Shroff. The show was broadcast onSony TV, of which he owned some shares.[34] Shroff was also a judge on the magic showIndia's Magic Star, broadcast on Indian channelSTAR One. The show began on 3 July 2010 and ended on 5 September 2010.[35] In 2014, Shroff and his sonTiger Shroff made an appearance onComedy Nights with Kapil.[23] In 2019, Shroff made his digital debut with the seriesCriminal Justice.[36]
Shroff married his longtime girlfriendAyesha Dutt, a model who later became a film producer, on 5 June 1987, her birthday.[38][19] The couple runs a media company Jackie Shroff Entertainment Limited. They jointly owned 10% shares inSony TV from its launch until 2012, when they sold their stake and ended their 15-year-long association with Sony TV.[39] They have two children - son, actorTiger Shroff (born 1990) and a daughter, entrepreneur and filmmakerKrishna Shroff (born 1993).[40][41]
Shroff's personality rights were maintained by theDelhi High Court in 2024, which forbade the use of his name, image, or even nicknames without his consent.[42]
Shroff owns an organic farm where he grows organic plants, trees and herbs. He is also the brand ambassador ofThalassemia India[43] and over the years has supported many causes likeHIV/AIDS awareness and abolishment offemale foeticide. He has also funded the treatment and education of many underprivileged children.[44][45][46] On 5 March 2021, Shroff donated an ambulance to aLonavala-based animal shelter in the memory of his late pet dog Rocky.[47]
^abcGuftagoo with Jackie Shroff (in Hindi).Rajya Sabha TV. 19 September 2017. Event occurs at 7:17-9:17.Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved14 April 2019.Humari ammi Turkmani", meaning "My mom is a Turkmen
