Basic Details
With his effortless charm, raw Mumbai slang, and a unique screen presence, Jackie Shroff is one of Indian cinema’s most beloved and enduring actors. Known fondly as “Jaggu Dada” or “Bhidu” by fans, Jackie carved out a niche for himself through his humble beginnings, stylish persona, and over four decades of impactful roles. From Jackie Shroff’s debut movie in the ’80s to his appearance in new-age web series and films, his journey is nothing short of cinematic magic.Born into modest surroundings and facing early struggles, Jackie Shroff’s biography is a true rags-to-riches story. This article explores everything about Jackie Shroff—his early life, career, personal moments, and philanthropic side, giving you a complete picture of the man behind the iconic sunglasses and leather jackets.
Physical Stats and More
- Height
6 ft (183 cm)
- Weight
Approx. 80 kg
- Eye Colour
Hazel Brown
- Hair Colour
Salt & Pepper
Biography
Jackie Shroff was born as Jaikishan Kakubhai Shroff in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He grew up in the chawls of Teen Batti, experiencing the gritty realities of Mumbai’s streets. His father, Kakubhai Shroff, was a Gujarati astrologer-turned-oil company worker, and his mother, Rita Shroff, belonged to a Central Asian Kazakh family that migrated to India during political unrest.
Jackie couldn’t complete college due to financial struggles and worked odd jobs, including as a travel agent and a model, before breaking into Bollywood. A chance encounter with an ad agency led to modeling gigs, which eventually landed him a role in Subhash Ghai’s Hero (1983), marking Jackie Shroff’s debut movie and overnight stardom.Since then, actor Jackie Shroff has appeared in over 220 films in multiple languages including Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and even Konkani. His career is a blend of action, drama, romance, and now, edgy roles in web series and experimental films.
Relationships & More
Career
Early Life & Debut
Jackie Shroff, born Jaikishan Kakubhai Shroff on February 1, 1957, in Bombay, started his career as a model before making uncredited appearances such as in Swami Dada (1982). His first leading role came in Subhash Ghai’s blockbuster Hero (1983), instantly launching him to fame
Rise to Stardom (1983–1999)
Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, he headlined a string of hits including Teri Meherbaniyan, Karma (1986), Ram Lakhan, Tridev (1989), Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990), Khalnayak (1993), Rangeela (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996), Border (1997), and Bandhan (1998).
His performance in Parinda (1989) earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award, while supporting roles in 1942: A Love Story and Rangeela brought him further recognition
Character & Supporting Roles (2000–2020)
From the 2000s onward, Jackie transitioned into powerful character and supporting roles in major films like Refugee (2000), Mission Kashmir (2000), Devdas (2002), Hulchul (2004), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Apna Sapna Money Money (2006), Dhoom 3 (2013), Happy New Year (2014), Housefull 3 (2016), Bharat (2019), and Sooryavanshi (2021)
Regional & Multilingual Cinema
Jackie has acted in films across several Indian languages:
Bigil (Tamil, 2019), Saaho (Telugu, 2019), and Jailer (Tamil, 2023)
Sardar Saab (Punjabi, 2017),Soul Curry (Konkani, 2017) – for which he received a Goa State Award,
Recent & Ongoing Work (2021–Present)
Continuing his prolific career, Jackie appeared in Baby John, Singham Again (2024), and is set for Good Bad Ugly (2025) He also ventured into web series like Criminal Justice, OK Computer, and Call My Agent: Bollywood
No movies found.Other Details
- Hobbies
Cooking, Gardening, Driving Vintage Cars
- Favourite Actress
Madhubala
- Favourite Actors
Sanjeev Kumar, Dev Anand
- Favourite Movies
Hero, Ram Lakhan, Parinda, Gardish
- Favourite Dishes
Home-cooked vegetarian meals, Parsi cuisine
- Zodiac Sign
Aquarius
- Caste
Gujarati-Hindu
- Religion
Hinduism
Contributions Beyond Work
Apart from acting, Jackie Shroff is deeply involved in social causes. He supports:
Tree plantation drives and organic farming
Animal welfare and adoption
NGOs for slum children and women’s education
Anti-drug campaigns and environmental sustainability
Jackie is often seen participating in charity events and grassroots movements, especially those related to his hometown Mumbai.
The Legacy of Jackie Shroff
From chawls to cinema halls, Jackie Shroff’s legacy is one of authenticity, humility, and timeless charm. His journey from being a common man to Bollywood royalty is inspiring and deeply rooted in hard work. He continues to entertain, inspire, and remain India’s most beloved Bhidu.
Other Facts:
Education: Couldn’t pursue college due to financial constraints
Jackie Shroff religion is Hinduism, but he embraces all cultures with equal respect
He is fluent in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, and English
Jackie owns a farmhouse where he grows organic vegetables
He’s known for his love for stray animals and Mumbai street culture
Once saved a girl from drowning, showing his real-life heroism
Jackie Shroff family lives a grounded, private life despite stardom
- Interesting Facts:
- He was scouted for modeling at a bus stop—after failed attempts to become a chef and flight attendant—marking the start of his journey in the entertainment industry
- His iconic nickname “Jaggu Dada” was actually inspired by his elder brother, who looked after their Mumbai chawl before tragically drowning—Jackie inherited the moniker and responsibility
- He starred as the superhero in Shiva Ka Insaaf (1985), the first Bollywood film made in 3D—and even sang on-screen for his character
- Despite his macho image, Jackie is notoriously shy in public and once declined to market himself, saying, “I am not a bar of soap.”
- He’s a devout vegetarian and was named India’s Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity by PETA in 2023
- One surreal moment he realized he had become famous was when Amitabh Bachchan’s children asked him for an autograph at a Chennai hotel
- He was scouted for modeling at a bus stop—after failed attempts to become a chef and flight attendant—marking the start of his journey in the entertainment industry