Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
I NEVER REFERRED TIGER TO ANYONE, SAYS JACKIE
The actor talks about privileges and challenges of being a star kid, says only talent can take one ahead in their career
He calls his son Tiger Shroff his “reflection” and takes pride in the fact that he has carved his own path in the industry. Veteran actor Jackie Shroff aka Jaggu Dada is happy Tiger didn’t leverage his name or fame.
“Tiger has picked up his own style of dancing and acting, and is doing his best to hone his talent. Bachcha achcha hai. His hard work and discipline reflect on screen. From making his debut with action-packed movie Heropanti (2014) to a film like Student Of The Year 2, he took a great leap in his career,” Jackie says.
While star kids are often considered privileged in the film industry, Jackie, who takes pride in the “humble upbringing” he has given his kids, believes they face both advantages and disadvantages. “Advantage, because you get a good launch with some big banner films. And disadvantage, because there’s a pressure on the actors to live up to their [celebrity] father’s or mother’s fame and expectations,” says Jackie, explaining how it often becomes a burden of
sorts on the star kids’ shoulders. He jokes that since his father was an astrologer he “didn’t have any kind of pressure to cross the mark which my father had made in his industry”.
Do recommendations work in the film industry? Jackie asserts, “No, it will never take you far in your career. I have never ever referred Tiger to anyone till today. He gets and will get a role on his capabilities. Agar talent nahin hai toh kaun paisa lagayega aap par?”
With a slew of star kids entering Bollywood this year, Jackie feels, “They have to do something different or else they end up getting typecast. So, to be in the same profession as their parents and do something different is the biggest challenge for them.”