At 62, Jackie Shroff is busier than ever. Whether it’s regional cinema, Bollywood movies, short films or his digital debut on the web with Criminal Justice, the award-winning actor has more than enough on his plate. Yet, he’s hungry for more. “I have films in 13 languages, ab soch raha hoon 15 tak leke jaaoon,” he states.

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The fact that we are finally able to talk to him after trying to get in touch with him for four days is further proof of his chock-a-block schedule. Ask him about it and he replies in his inimitable style, “Kya karega, baba! All my films are coming to a close, whether it’s Bharat or Prassthanam, Saaho or Firrkie. Then I had to dub for them and listen to more scripts.” As of now, he’s happy with the response to his web show, Criminal Justice, which is the Indian adaptation of the BBC crime drama by the same name. “People are loving it,” he states simply. Over to Jaggu dada...

Did you have anything particular in mind for your digital debut? Or did you like the story and go with the flow?

As usual, I didn’t think much. I loved the role and I knew that Vishal Furia, who is an award-winning director, was going to helm the series. I knew I was not in the wrong hands and I let myself flow with it. Then I realised that while I have been around for more than 35 years, there are young actors on the set who are my seniors when it comes to web series (smiles). I thought it’s good because I would learn from them. So, all these things prompted me to do this show. I didn’t think it was my digital debut per se. I’m just happy I did it.

You had maximum scenes with Vikrant Massey, your senior when it comes to web series...

I feel like I’m a fulcrum. Right from Dilip Kumar saab in Karma (1986) and Saudagar (1991) to young actors like Vikrant, on one hand, I have seen the best of legends while on the other, there is this new crop of actors who are going to reach the pinnacle. So, it’s a fantastic feeling.

There was Pankaj Tripathi in the show, too, although you had no scenes with him.

Bade afsos ki baat hai, varna maza aa jaata!

Your character Mustafa Bhai was such an unpredictable man. Was it fun playing him?

Absolutely! See, I’m an unpredictable man in real life, too. Main kabkya kar doonga mujhe hi maloom nahin hota. Toh uss hisaab se hi yeh role mila hai. 

The way he speaks after a scene ends, I too, keep speaking whether somebody is listening to me or not. Woh saari baatein usmein thi. My director gave me a free hand. It became very easy for me and I grew close to the character. Bhasha bhi meri hai - khane mein namak kam daal re, paseena gir raha hai! (laughs)

Jackie Shroff

Would you like to explore more on the web?

Oh yes, there so many new platforms coming up. Ek cheez nahi badalti, woh hai jazbaat. Platforms change, emotions don't. It could be a street play, or a play at Prithvi Theatre or a big-screen experience like Devdas (2002). It could be soaps that our moms watch and cry or web shows that people get hooked on to – there is an audience for everything. Jazbaat ke liye Hindustan hamesha aage hai.

Do you watch any web shows?

Dekhna chahta hoon par vakt nahi milta, aur vakt milta hai toh neend aati hai (chuckles).

You’re straddling regional cinema, Hindi movies, short films and now web series. Did you ever think that you would be doing so much at this age?

Hamare senior, Amitabh Bachchan saab has set such high standards. He’s working round the clock and he’s 14 years senior to me. Today with web series, I feel like we're still in kindergarten, where I had a new bag, raincoat, cap and gum boots, but I had to make friends and discover myself. It’s the same emotions even now.