Jackie Shroff: I always wanted to be the bad guy

A couple of years ago, when Tiger Shroff had not yet made his Bollywood debut, I got the opportunity of meeting his father, Jackie Shroff at their Bandra residence. Post the interview, which included a delicious plate of homemade poha, the actor came down from the 14th floor of his building, flagged down an auto on the road,  asked the driver, ‘Bhidu, Andheri chalega?’ and waved me goodbye. When I speak to him on the phone now, I remind him of the courtesy that he had extended to me, and he says simply, “Well, I had to take care of you, na!’

Considered one of the most affable stars in the industry, it’s this winsome attitude that has seen Jaggu dada (as he’s fondly called) continue his journey in Bollywood for over three decades. Jackie continues to be super busy with an enviable line-up of films in Hindi cinema — Prassthanam, Bharat, Romeo Akbar Walter and Saaho. However, he is not doing Student Of The Year 2 as rumoured. After doing regional cinema in 12 languages, he will now be seen in an Iranian movie called Devil’s Daughter followed by the British television series Criminal Justice’s Indian adaptation. The day I talk to him, he has just returned to Mumbai after shooting for a Tamil film. How does he manage to pack in so much? “Well, I’m Jack of all trades!” laughs the 61-year-old. Peppered with laughter and a whole lot of ‘darlings’, the conversation continues...

You are on a roll with so many films...

I don’t know, darling. I was used to shooting for two-three films in a day in the ’90s. We would shoot, dub, listen to stories, do publicity for the movies, yet find time for family.

It’s been over three decades and you have hardly ever taken a break...

I have not taken a single break. I love to work. It keeps my knee joints and elbows working (laughs)! I get to play my age as well as younger roles. For instance, in Prassthanam, I’ll be 35 and 55 both. So, it’s fun.

You started as a hero and later, started doing interesting character roles...

(Cuts in) No darling, I started as a henchman to a villain in Swami Dada (1982). I always wanted to be the bad guy. There were so many handsome guys around who were clean shaven and suave. I thought with a face like mine and a beard, I couldn’t be a bloody hero (laughs)! I was lucky that in the second film (Hero, 1983), I got to play the anti-hero. He got to kidnap the girl and heroes don’t do such bad things.

And then you moved on to playing the main lead...

Yes, but I did everything. If someone gave me a role like Chunni Babu in Devdas (2002), I did that too, because I don’t get scared that so and so is playing the main role while I’m the second lead. That’s never bothered me because I thought if a chair has three legs, it can’t stand (smiles).

Has the criteria for doing a film changed over the years?

Nothing has changed. If someone came to me with a sob story, I would do it. It could be a role that nobody liked, but if I liked it, I would take it up. If a new director asked me to do one scene in his film and it would make his life, I would do it. I did some movies for money because I had to run the house as well. There were so many factors. But it was never about working with the biggest production house or with the biggest director or have the biggest role. I never had that sort of thinking. For me, it’s about going on working and if people love you, it’s even better.

Any regrets?

Nah! Chance hi nahi. Life is not to regret. Every day, every moment that you regret, you don’t live.

Sanjay Dutt and you have worked in several movies including Khal Nayak (1993), Mission Kashmir (2000) and Eklavya — The Royal Guard (2007). Now, both of you will share screen space again in Prassthanam. How does it feel?

He’s one of my finest co-stars. I love working with him because he doesn’t have hang-ups. He’s exactly like me. That’s why we have done some good work together. There’s Manisha (Koirala) in the movie, with whom I’ve worked earlier. It’s all my favourite people together, what more could I ask for!

Last year, you did a short film called Khujli, where you played a man who has lost his sex drive. Were you apprehensive before taking it up?

Well, I can teach the writer of 50 Shades of Grey, some more shades (laughs)! I loved the role. I was working with Neena Gupta, who is such a fine actress. The film doesn’t show me as a denim-clad cool dude. I’m a pot-bellied middle-class man who neither has any interest in life nor any sex drive. I thought it was so much fun. Now, I have another one called Playboy.

Would you like to share screen space with your son, Tiger, someday?

Who wouldn’t like to work with my kid? (Smiles) 

Do you discuss his roles or give him advice?

No, I have never done that. Once I left him in school, I never asked him to play football or basketball or study in a certain way. I let him discover himself, because that’s how he will know what are his likes and dislikes. We should just be there for our kids, and not have a problem if they don’t ask you. Tiger is into gymnastics, dancing, action — he does everything on his own. God’s been so kind. Sometimes, I look around and think, we’re so blessed. That’s how one should be in life — thankful.