I never chased relevance; I chased honesty: Jackie Shroff
Written By: Ancela Jamindar
There is an effortless warmth and authenticity about Jackie Shroff. Decades into his film career, the veteran actor remains refreshingly unpretentious—candid, witty and grounded. During a recent interaction, Jackie, who was in Ahmedabad, seamlessly switched between Hindi, Gujarati and English, speaking about his fondness for Gujarat, playing a superhero in his latest film The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman, working with children, staying relevant across generations, and his enduring bond with nature.The actor grew nostalgic while reflecting on his Gujarat connection and family roots. “My father was from Rajkot. After he passed away, I get to speak Gujarati only when I visit here,” he said, adding, “I missed having my usual jalebi-fafda this time—it’s something I make sure to have whenever I’m in Gujarat.”
‘Always open to learning from younger people’Despite the ever-evolving entertainment landscape and shifting audience tastes, Jackie says his core approach has remained the same. “I never chased relevance; I chased honesty,” he reflects. “Cinema changes, audiences change, technology changes, but emotions remain constant. I’ve always stayed open to learning from younger people and respecting every generation of storytelling. Perhaps that willingness to evolve is what has helped me connect with audiences across generations.”He adds, “I don’t see challenges as obstacles because I place complete trust in my technicians, regardless of the medium. Every format has its own language and demands, but I wouldn’t say one is more difficult than another. The real challenge today is to remain truthful in every performance and avoid repeating yourself. I enjoy stepping into unfamiliar spaces because that sense of discovery keeps the excitement alive.”Even when talking about health and fitness, Jackie keeps his philosophy simple, saying, “Keep moving. Staying still is a health hazard. Age is just a number, and health is your greatest wealth.”‘Nature keeps me balanced’Away from cinema and the spotlight, he finds his anchor in nature. “Nature keeps me balanced. Fame, work, noise—all of it comes and goes, but nature keeps you grounded,” says Jackie, who carries potted plants to events as a tool to spark conversations about tree plantation.He adds, “I grew up valuing simplicity and a deep connection with nature. Plants, trees, and fresh air never judge—they simply give. Time in nature reminds me of who I am beyond the spotlight. Simplicity isn’t something I consciously practise—it’s where I find the most peace and happiness.”Concluding the conversation with a message on sustainability, the actor candidly acknowledges the environmental damage caused by previous generations but voices confidence in the youth, saying, “Apan ne band baja dala hai vatavaran ka, abhi new generation aage badke sudhareli hai. I am proud of the youngsters who are working to fix the environment we have spoiled.”‘We need stories filled with warmth and hope’Talking about the kind of stories required today, he says, “My new film is for both children and adults. There’s nothing more rewarding than bringing joy to kids. At a time when the world seems consumed by negativity, stories filled with warmth and hope are needed more than ever. Everywhere you look—newspapers, television, social media—you’re confronted with war, conflict and problems. People need a sense of happiness and joy right now.”He adds, “I enjoyed working with Manish Saini because he has a deep understanding of human emotions and tells stories with honesty and heart.”‘Today’s children are very mature and informed’On working with child actors, he laughs, “Yeh sab bachche baap thay mere; bov advanced che bappa! While they do masti, they’re also incredibly professional and serious about their work.”Reflecting on how childhood has changed, he said, “When we were kids, we were largely unaware of what was happening around us. Today’s children are so mature and informed that it sometimes feels like we adults are the ones falling behind.”
There is an effortless warmth and authenticity about Jackie Shroff. Decades into his film career, the veteran actor remains refreshingly unpretentious—candid, witty and grounded. During a recent interaction, Jackie, who was in Ahmedabad, seamlessly switched between Hindi, Gujarati and English, speaking about his fondness for Gujarat, playing a superhero in his latest film The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman, working with children, staying relevant across generations, and his enduring bond with nature.The actor grew nostalgic while reflecting on his Gujarat connection and family roots. “My father was from Rajkot. After he passed away, I get to speak Gujarati only when I visit here,” he said, adding, “I missed having my usual jalebi-fafda this time—it’s something I make sure to have whenever I’m in Gujarat.”
‘Always open to learning from younger people’Despite the ever-evolving entertainment landscape and shifting audience tastes, Jackie says his core approach has remained the same. “I never chased relevance; I chased honesty,” he reflects. “Cinema changes, audiences change, technology changes, but emotions remain constant. I’ve always stayed open to learning from younger people and respecting every generation of storytelling. Perhaps that willingness to evolve is what has helped me connect with audiences across generations.”He adds, “I don’t see challenges as obstacles because I place complete trust in my technicians, regardless of the medium. Every format has its own language and demands, but I wouldn’t say one is more difficult than another. The real challenge today is to remain truthful in every performance and avoid repeating yourself. I enjoy stepping into unfamiliar spaces because that sense of discovery keeps the excitement alive.”Even when talking about health and fitness, Jackie keeps his philosophy simple, saying, “Keep moving. Staying still is a health hazard. Age is just a number, and health is your greatest wealth.”‘Nature keeps me balanced’Away from cinema and the spotlight, he finds his anchor in nature. “Nature keeps me balanced. Fame, work, noise—all of it comes and goes, but nature keeps you grounded,” says Jackie, who carries potted plants to events as a tool to spark conversations about tree plantation.He adds, “I grew up valuing simplicity and a deep connection with nature. Plants, trees, and fresh air never judge—they simply give. Time in nature reminds me of who I am beyond the spotlight. Simplicity isn’t something I consciously practise—it’s where I find the most peace and happiness.”Concluding the conversation with a message on sustainability, the actor candidly acknowledges the environmental damage caused by previous generations but voices confidence in the youth, saying, “Apan ne band baja dala hai vatavaran ka, abhi new generation aage badke sudhareli hai. I am proud of the youngsters who are working to fix the environment we have spoiled.”‘We need stories filled with warmth and hope’Talking about the kind of stories required today, he says, “My new film is for both children and adults. There’s nothing more rewarding than bringing joy to kids. At a time when the world seems consumed by negativity, stories filled with warmth and hope are needed more than ever. Everywhere you look—newspapers, television, social media—you’re confronted with war, conflict and problems. People need a sense of happiness and joy right now.”He adds, “I enjoyed working with Manish Saini because he has a deep understanding of human emotions and tells stories with honesty and heart.”‘Today’s children are very mature and informed’On working with child actors, he laughs, “Yeh sab bachche baap thay mere; bov advanced che bappa! While they do masti, they’re also incredibly professional and serious about their work.”Reflecting on how childhood has changed, he said, “When we were kids, we were largely unaware of what was happening around us. Today’s children are so mature and informed that it sometimes feels like we adults are the ones falling behind.”
Comments
Be the first to share a thought and become theFirst Voiceof this News Article
end of article
Featured in Entertainment
- 'Saathiya' actor Sandhya Mridul calls out salon bias
- Salman Khan controls his tears as he attends close friend's funeral with family
- Akshay, Vidya, Raashii to shoot romantic song in Dehradun
- 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' box office collection Day 5 [LIVE]: Eyes Rs 30 crore milestone
07:13 Prithviraj’s old interview resurfaces amid Janhvi's 'Peddi' portrayal- Ariana-Ethan split revives Rosé breakup curse buzz
Trending Stories
04:34 Jagapathi Babu thanks 'Peddi' critics for negative reviews of the film- Seven Indian grasslands where non‑venomous snakes thrive: Rare species and their habitats
- When Nana Patekar left Amitabh Bachchan moved on why he chose village life over glamour
- Spanish proverb of the day: “There is no woman who sleeps so deeply that the sound of…”
- Steve Jobs quote of the day: "If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed;" What the Apple co-founder taught about passion, purpose, career success, and why vision is a stronger force than motivation
- Quote of the day by Channing Tatum
- Upasana Kamineni's 77,000 crore business empire
- Ahmed Khan choregraphs his first Marathi song from Shreyas Talpade's film 'Mardini'
- Neil Bhatt’s Risky Manali Shoot: Actor recalls near-falls on snowy rocks
- Kajal Aggarwal says Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Ramayana' is something India has never witnessed before: 'As actors, it's the first time...'
Photostories
- How to schedule emails to send them automatically later in Gmail
- 9 mangoes that are not grown in India and what makes them unique
- From saving to spending: 5 essential money lessons every child should learn
- Success quote of the day by Steve Jobs: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is..."
- Canterbury Bells to Foxgloves in June: 6 low-maintenance plants that can help fill garden gaps
- Solar storms and human health: Should we really be worried?
- Inside star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s ₹1,000+ crore real estate empire: Mansions, penthouses, and luxury villas across the globe
- Mumbai’s long wait nears end: Sion bridge targets August reopening
- 6 social etiquettes every child should be taught and 6 reasons they can benefit a child’s future
- Steel, concrete and precision: Inside the making of Mumbai Metro Line 2B
Up Next
Follow Us On Social Media