I WANT TO GO HIGHER THAN MY DAD: TIGER

Tiger Shroff is proud of his dad Jackie Shroff’s stardom but wants to be famous like his idol Michael Jackson

My father is a big personality, and to come out of his shadow and create my own niche has been a tough task TIGER SHROFF, ACTOR

Actor Jackie Shroff (above) defined the quintessential hero image for Bollywood in 1980s and 1990s. And now, his son Tiger

Shroff (left), who has gained popularity among the youth, aims at surpassing the fame that his father has garnered.

“I respect my father. I want to go higher than what my father has achieved. I want to take his name forward and reach a level, where only handful of people have reached— like my idol Michael Jackson and Bruce Lee. Every kid in every corner of the world knows who Michael Jackson is and I want to reach that level,” says Tiger, whose action and dancing prowess has got him loyal fans in Bollywood.

The actor, who made his Bollywood debut with Heropanti (2014), however, admits that to shed the ‘star kid’ image has been the toughest task so far. “My father is such a big personality, and to come out of his shadow and create my own niche, audience, and identity has been tough,” he adds. From working in commercial hits to becoming the brand ambassador of a kid’s television show, Tiger has shot to fame in no time, but he wants people to understand that being an actor’s son isn’t as easy as it may appear from outside.

“There is double pressure on us (star kids) and we’ve to do things exactly as everyone else does and we get noticed easily as we’ve a legacy behind us. When lights go off in the cinema, your parents aren’t holding your hand. It’s you who has to take the legacy forward. So, if good work comes your way and you are talented, you’ll get exposure,” he says.

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH