Jaikishan Kakubhai Saraf, known professionally as Jackie Shroff, has maintained a career in the Indian film industry spanning over four decades. Beginning as a model in Mumbai, he transitioned into acting in 1982. Since his lead debut in the 1983 blockbuster Hero, he has appeared in approximately 250 films across multiple languages, establishing himself as a significant presence in Hindi cinema.
Early Life and Entry into Modelling
Born in 1957 in the Teen Batti locality of Mumbai, Saraf was the son of a Gujarati astrologer. After leaving junior college, he sought employment as an apprentice chef and flight attendant before finding work as a travel agent. An encounter at a bus stand led to a career in modelling, where he appeared in various advertisements. It was a school classmate who coined the name Jackie, which was later adopted by filmmaker Subhash Ghai for his film debut.
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After an uncredited appearance in the 1982 film Swami Dada, Shroff achieved stardom with Subhash Ghai's 1983 film Hero. Throughout the 1980s, he appeared in numerous successful productions, including Andar Baahar, Teri Meherbaniyan, and Karma, the latter being the highest-grossing film of 1986. His performance in the 1989 film Parinda secured his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor, cementing his status as a leading performer of the decade.
Career Longevity and Versatility
In the 1990s, Shroff starred in a range of films including Khalnayak, Rangeela, and Border. He received consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his work in 1942: A Love Story and Rangeela. Following the turn of the millennium, he shifted toward supporting and antagonistic roles in major projects such as Devdas, Dhoom 3, and Bharat. His work has also expanded into regional cinema, with appearances in Punjabi, Konkani, Tamil, and Telugu films.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, Mumbai, India
- Screen Name: Jackie Shroff
- Debut Film: Swami Dada (1982)
- Breakthrough Film: Hero (1983)
- Filmfare Awards: Four
- Languages spoken: Hindi, Marathi, English, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla, Kannada
- Religion: Hinduism
- Spouse: Ayesha Dutt
Questions readers ask
How many films has Jackie Shroff appeared in?
He has appeared in approximately 250 films over the course of his career.
Which major awards has he received?
He has received four Filmfare Awards, including Best Actor for Parinda and Best Supporting Actor for 1942: A Love Story and Rangeela.
Achievements
- Notable work: Hero
- Notable work: Ram Lakhan
- Notable work: Karma
- Worked as film actor, model and film producer
