‘ My emotions were nothing’

After Anil Kapoor, his close friend Jackie Shroff is now going through the anxiety of seeing his child get ready for his first release. He tells us how different the experience is from the time he made his debut in Subhash Ghai’s Hero three decades ago. Are you reliving your debutant days, now that Tiger’s Heropanti is up for release?

My feelings at that time were actually nothing. I was very easygoing and didn’t think about it at all. In fact, I remember I was sleeping when these big journalists Vir Sanghvi and Rauf Ahmed came to my place for an interview. They said to me, ‘ Tumhe faraq nahi padhta hai that your film is releasing’. Today, Tiger is giving interviews all over. Still, I think emotionally he is absolutely a child. He is aware that he has a lot of responsibility but then he says things from the heart. In a way, so much has changed in the way newcomers are launched today, right?

The media has expanded and a lot of spheres have opened up. The sky is wide open for the business. People can do so many things from home itself. At that time, journos used come to the sets for an interview. Today, you and I are talking over Skype! You made your debut with an established director. Sabbir Khan ( for Heropanti) is yet to prove himself. Are you comfortable with that?

Sixt five per cent of the Indian population is under 35. It doesn’t really matter if the person is a newcomer. Also, let’s not forget that he has done a film with Akshay, who is a good person and a disciplined actor. It rubs off on your personality. So are we looking at a big party at the Shroffs once Heropanti releases?

We would be cool but Tiger just wants to relax for a few days now. I guess that’s his idea of fun since he’s not used to nightlife. He has never indulged in cigarettes or alcohol.