Before his iconic debut in Subhash Ghai’s 1983 film “Hero,” Jackie Shroff had an unexpected first encounter with the silver screen, which saw him go from a promising second lead to a minor villain.
An Unexpected Offer from a Legend
Jackie Shroff’s very first appearance in a film was in Dev Anand’s 1982 action movie “Swami Dada,” though he went uncredited. Interestingly, the legendary Dev Anand, who also directed the film, initially offered Shroff the significant role of the second lead.
Shroff recalled his disbelief and excitement upon hearing the offer from Dev Anand himself. His son, Sunil Anand, was also present during this momentous meeting. News of his potential big break spread quickly, thrilling his family and the entire neighborhood.
A Sudden Shift in Plans
Just 15 days later, a call from Dev Anand changed everything. Shroff was summoned and informed that Mithun Chakraborty would now take on the second lead role. Dev Anand explained that Mithun was a better dancer and more senior, having already won a National Award for his 1976 debut.
This decision meant a drastic change for Shroff. He was then offered a role “in the villain’s den,” which effectively made him a “third villain” and a henchman to Shakti Kapoor. Shroff humorously recounted telling his mother about the demotion.
No Room for Dejection
Despite the significant change, Jackie Shroff chose not to feel dejected. His mother encouraged him to take whatever role came his way. Shroff himself held immense admiration for Dev Anand, having grown up loving his films and songs.
He embraced the part, playing a tough guy with dedication. For Shroff, simply being part of a Dev Anand film was a dream come true, overriding any disappointment about the reduced role.
The True Breakthrough with “Hero”
Shroff’s journey to the big screen began after his modeling career, attending acting classes alongside Sunil Anand, Dev Anand’s son. A year after his uncredited appearance in “Swami Dada,” Subhash Ghai cast him as the lead in “Hero” opposite Meenakshi Seshadri.
Initially, “Hero” struggled at the box office for its first three weeks, leading Ghai to suggest Shroff might need to return to modeling. However, in its fourth week, the film suddenly took off, cementing Jackie Shroff’s status as a star and launching a celebrated career.
- Jackie Shroff’s first film appearance was an uncredited henchman role in Dev Anand’s “Swami Dada.”
- He was initially offered the second lead in “Swami Dada” by Dev Anand but was replaced by Mithun Chakraborty.
- Shroff’s role was changed to a “third villain” working under Shakti Kapoor.
- Despite the demotion, he took the role out of respect for Dev Anand and his mother’s advice.
- His official lead debut came with Subhash Ghai’s “Hero,” which became a major success after a slow start.
Shroff’s early career path highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry and his resilient spirit in navigating it.
