Meezaan’s grandpa stories that stir and inspire him
Back in 1951, veteran actor Jagdeep first faced the camera — as a child artist — in BR Chopra’s Afsana. Earlier this year, 68 years later to be precise, his grandson Meezaan Jafri (son of Jaaved Jaaferi) made his big screen debut with Malaal. And the young actor feels “extremely lessed” that he can get firstnd experience of the steryear film industry from is grandfather, who was onoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at an ward function last month. “My grandpa has told me many stories, but most are out the fact that people/ tists of that time were really nvested in their films, and that’s a big learning for me. They always worked as one team and also bonded with the crew equally well. Nobody, in particular, was treated like a star or accorded a special treatment,” says the actor.
For Meezaan, what stood out in his grandfather’s stories is people’s “sheer passion and dedication”. “Even great legends like Guru Dutt would devote their lives to work, which you could see on screen. So, my grandpa tells me to work with 100% dedication. He has also told us stories about actors of that time arriving on the sets before the crew. And that’s so rare in today’s times,” says the actor, adding: “It’s these little things that matter.”
The youngster, who shares “a friendly relationship” with his grandfather, counts himself as “fortunate”. “I feel we will always look up to the legends. I’m extremely lucky to have a grandfather who is able to share those extremely rare stories with me,” Meezan adds.