Hindi cinema has witnessed a series of ‘rags to riches’ stories over the decades that continue to inspire aspiring actors even today. For a youngster coming from a small town or village who is achieving the peak of stardom in cinema, there are numerous real-life stories in the vault. Today, we will talk about an actor who was born in the city of dreams, Mumbai, and never dreamt of becoming an actor. Fast forward to 2025, and he is considered as one of the most versatile actors of his generation and continues to work in films and web series at the age of 68.
The star we are talking about is Jaikishan Kakubhai Shroff, aka Jackie Shroff, who is referred to as ‘Jaggu Dada’ in the industry and by his massive fanbase across India. The iconic actor had appeared in over 250 films in a career spanning more than four decades. However, some films deserve special mention because they’ve engraved his status as one of the most talented actors of his era.
Inside Jackie Shroff’s struggle story: Lived in a ‘chawl’ and sold peanuts after dropping out of school due to financial crisis