Even after spending 30 glorious years (and counting more) in the big, bad and blindingly-glamorous world of Bollywood, Jackie Shroff has remained ‘real’ to the core. Except for his heavy accent, the 53-year old hasn’t changed a bit. “Main aisach hee hoon bhidu. I haven’t changed at all,” growls Jaggu dada accompanied by a throaty laughter.

As BollywoodLife completed two years this May, we invited the star, who coincidently completes three decades in the industry (his debut film Hero released in 1983), to share in the celebrations. The star was his usual friendly and lively self, with no air of pretensions, as he spoke to the editorial team.

From being a good looking man of the Teen Batti chawl to becoming one of India’s stylish actors of all time, Jackie has come a long way. He talked about his movies, the journey to stardom, friends in B-town, his forthcoming movies and much more in a candid interview with BollywoodLife team. Take a look!

Sara Khan who will be seen in comedy films Aman Ki Asha and Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, says while she enjoys the genre, she would like to play a serious role as well. “Comedy is an interesting genre. I have finished two comedy films. I enjoyed it. But I want to take up something very challenging and play a very serious character,” said she.

Aman Ki Asha has been directed by Neeraj Pandey and stars Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam. Sara Khan said that she plays Yami’s sister in the film. “I was in Singapore and someone called me saying that that I am apt (for playing) Yami’s sister. I told them that I don’t play character artists. But they said I could call it a parallel lead. I found the character very interesting. It is a Neeraj Pandey story and I said that I would try it,” she said.

The film has been shot in London, which is the actor’s hometown. This made it more enjoyable for her. “I was brought up in London and the entire shoot was in London. We were there for a month. I loved the experience. We finished our schedule in 22 days. We faced a lot of challenges. But it was a very good experience,” she said.

She will also be seen in Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, which stars Fukrey actor Ali Fazal and has been directed by Ravi Rai.

Talking about the kind of roles she would want to play in her future films, Khan said she is looking for performance-oriented characters. “In movies, I would like to go for something like Devdas or Dor. That is something challenging. Everyone does glamorous roles. It is tough to get something which is completely acting-oriented. Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi used to play these roles so beautifully,” she said.

ABCD actor Lauren Gottlieb says, “I think it is good to be nervous. I am always nervous when I perform. It gives me that adrenaline rush. I think it will be extra nerve-wracking to perform in front of Madhuri. She had been brought to my eyes last year. No one can compare to her.”

But at the same time, she feels, “I feel I can relate to her in both films and dancing. She just has a remarkable career and I think I can learn so much from her”, she added. Lauren confesses that she would be unable to do justice to any of Madhuri’s songs. “The Indian actor has dazzled everyone with her dance numbers Ek Do Teen, Chane ke khet mein and Dhak dhak karne laga. I don’t know if I can dance to one of her songs. I don’t know if anyone can do justice as she does,” she said.

Starting her career in India with the dance film, ABCD, Lauren is excited to push myself to her limits on the show starting June 1. “The person I am, I can compete to an extent. I can have fun with it, but at the end of the day I want everyone to do their best. I feel the only person who one can compete with is ourself. I am excited to push my limits. I am a fan of all the artists. If anyone needs help, I will help and we will build that friendship,” she said.

The actress looks at Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as a challenge. “It will be difficult. This will be a completely new way of dancing and moving. The music and culture of dancing here is so foreign to me. I want to try to pick it up,” she said and added that she is trying to catch up with the previous season on YouTube.

Incidentally, it will be Remo Fernandes (director of ABCD) judging her on the dance reality show along with Madhuri and Karan Johar.

It’s exactly six years after the dance-based Yash Raj Films’ Aaja Nachle that we are seeing our favourite dhak dhak girl, Madhuri Dixit doing all the jhatkas and matkas in a high energy dance number in Dharma Productions’ Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Interestingly, our beloved Mads who’s called Mohini in the song Ghagra is seen flirting with the lead protagonist, Ranbir Kapoor that has a similar set like Fevicol se. Ranboo and Mads dance to some crazy lyrics, and we tried to do something similar as we translate the song. Watch out folks, we are taking you to Delhi via Agra!

Ladke o re ladke kahaan se aaya hai re tu
Pyara hai re shaqal se
Akal ka mara hai re tu

Boy o re boy where from come is re you
Lovely is re face from
Knowledge’s hit is re you

Haan jal gayi, haan jal gayi
Meri baaton se tu jal gayi
Haan khal gayi, tujhe khal gayi
Meri beparwahi khal gayi
Mohatarma tu kis khet ki mooli
Hai zara bata

Yes burn gone, yes burn gone
Mine talks from you burn gone
Yes affect gone, to you affect gone
Mine carelessness affect gone
Miss you which farm’s raddish
Is little tell

TV pe breaking news haaye re mera ghagra haaye
Baghdad se leke Delhi via Agra
Ghagra ghagra tera ghagra ghagra
Tera ghagra ghagra via agra

TV on tuta hua samachar oh re mine ghagra oh
Baghdad from brought Delhi via Agra
Ghagra ghagra your ghagra ghagra
Your ghagra ghagra via agra

We hope to see Ms Nene sway her hips to more dhinchak dance numbers in the coming years. What say, BollywoodLifers?

Jackie Shroff is just like a genie! You make a wish and he will grant it. And we can vouch for that. Call it destiny or anything else, the actor completes 30 years in Bollywood this year, just as we turn two years old, and that certainly called for a double celebration. When we invited Jackie to come eat cake with us at our office, he assured us that he would in his trademark style: “Aa jaunga, bhidu!” A man of his word, the actor, our genie, fulfilled not just our wish, but had the entire India.com team thrilled to meet him (take a look at the pics), cheering them on with “Kaisa hai, bhidu, kaam karna ekdum dabaake!” and other one-liners.

After a hilariously candid chat fest, Jaggu dada took a walk around the office and interacted with almost everyone in the office, from staff members to canteen boys, and obliged every request for a photograph. He smiled, he flirted, he charmed. They don’t make actors – or people – like him any more! And yes, as a parting note, our favourite bhidu promised us that he’ll visit again soon. Till then, we cherish the memories, while you savour all the fun, vicariously…

We are celebrating two years of being us and you’re celebrating 30. You have some fabulous films coming up. Tell us more…

I’m enjoying it!

Aurangzeb is supposed to be based on the real-life story of the land mafia in Gurgaon…

I have no idea at all. My character in the film deals in land and makes huge buildings. And the land business is better than smuggling. Director Atul Sabharwal has done a superb job. The trailer has opened to a fabulous response. To make me look the way I look after 100 plus films was a task, and the technicians and the team have done a fantastic job.

The style of filmmaking has drastically changed – things are more organised, with bound scripts. Did you notice a big change while working in today’s setup?

I’ve worked with Yash Raj Films now after Aaina, and their style of working has always been the same. For me, YRF is a steady house. We had a bound script during Aaina too. So I didn’t notice much change during Aurangzeb. During Aaina, we would wait for our dialogues to come from Mumbai. And we actors used to tell each other – garma garam dialogues aa rahe hain! Today, things are changed, maybe because of the advent of corporate production houses. They are ready to shell out money, but they need to know where that money is going. People are falling in line, I think.

Interestingly, Karan Johar recently said that though there is discipline now and the industry has become more organised, the love and compassion that used to bind people is missing….

I’m sorry to defer on that. For me, it’s still the same. Pyaar mohabbat se hi toh log jeete hai, bhidu. Clinical ho gaya hai, lekin uske baad bhi pyaar mohabbat hai. If there’s no love and warmth, it would get cold. You’ve got to feel the warmth of people. When I meet my co-stars, directors or anyone else from the industry, I feel the same warmth. I guess some people couldn’t see that. Bollywood is a big family and like every family has its own problems, film industry mein bhi jhagde chalte rehte hain. When we work on a film – right from the producer, director to the carpenter and chaiwaala… we are all buddies. You just can’t do it if there’s no emotion. It’s not just money! You all are doing business, but you all love each other, na?

You’ve done such varied roles – Aurangzeb being a fairly violent and intense film and Sai Baba, a different genre altogether…

(Interrupts) I did Mission Kashmir and Sai Baba then… One was an absolute fakir baba role and the other was a complete shaitaan. Kar sakta hai… mera thobde ko directors kaise bhi mould kar sakte hain. As I told you, it’s a technician’s game. It all depends on the cameraman, light man and the writer. We are actors; we can go any way. I never live in the illusion ke main hi main hoon – abbe jaa, bey! (laughs loudly).

VIEW GALLERY (Interview continues below)

Do you impart cinematic knowledge and share experiences with your son Tiger, since he’s working on his debut film?

No, as a kid Tiger has been watching me interacting with people. His ears and eyes are always open, and he’s smart. He watches and learns from it, but I don’t teach, nor do I preach, nor do I go on his movie sets and check what he’s doing, or even what’s the story of his film. I never ask him. It’s his baby and I believe he’s doing it nicely.

His debut film is called Heropanti and your debut film was Hero. Is that a coincidence?

Yeah, there’s a feeling ke father ne Hero kiya hai toh beta Heropanti karega. I should ask this question to Sajid Nadiadwala!

The remake of Hero has Sunil Shetty’s daughter Athiya and Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj…

Yes, it’s a very good thing. My friend Sunil Shetty’s daughter is making her film debut with the Hero remake. When I started modelling, Sunil followed; and later in acting also. So it feels nice that Athiya is doing the film I started my career with. It’s superb!

Tiger was supposed to do the Hero remake…

Yes, he was considered earlier, and it was discussed, but he felt there would be inevitable comparisons between him and me. So he tried to avoid that.

Is there any bad blood between you and Subhash Ghai?

Abbe, kya baat kar raha hai… paagal kutte ne kaata hai, kya? (laughs loudly)

We loved your performance in Parinda and we hear Vidhu Vinod Chopra had a tough time convincing you to do the role; he even made you write ‘I am a good actor’ many times over to build your confidence, we are told. Did that really happen?

Firstly, I didn’t know who Vidhu Vinod Chopra was. Anil Kapoor brought the role in Parinda to me. He asked me to meet Vinod. When I asked Anil why Vinod wanted me to do it, he said ‘It’s my big brother’s role and you have to do it’. He made me listen to the Tumse milke song. I liked it and we met Vidhu. He narrated the script and I was thoroughly impressed. I did the film and got the award too. After that, Anil complained – Kya yaar, maine achcha kaam kiya aur tu award leke gaya! (laughs) He thought, ek tapori ko bade bhai ke role mein le lo, aur main usko outshine karke role kha lunga! (laughs)

What do you think of his Hollywood success?

Fantastic! He has opened the door for all of us. Koi bada role milega toh jaunga; tapori milega to nahi karunga (laughs). Apna loss nahin, unka loss hai, mere jaisa kahaan milega Hollywood walon ko!

You’re one of the most rooted actors in Bollywood. How has that worked in your favour? Have people taken undue advantage of your good nature?

If my association benefits people, I’m happy. It doesn’t really matter if someone brushes across you and gets your colour; you lose a little and they gain a little. So tension lene ka hi nahi… na dene ka.

Has Jackie Shroff changed much since the days he drove a red sports car up and down Malabar Hill?

No – same boots, white shirt and bell bottom jeans, and same heart. Label thoda badal gaya hai.

Do you feel like writing your memories and experiences in an autobiography?

Sometimes I feel there are so many incidents and memories, aise hi bol deta hoon. My friends know so much about me.

Thirty long years in the industry – you’re a style icon for our generation and many to come. What’s your style mantra?

Clean nails and clean socks!

Who is the current style icon?

Danny Denzongpa.

Danny doesn’t do films now…

That’s style! He’s the style guru. He does films when he wants to do. I’m sure there must be ten scripts lying at his house right now. If he feels like doing a film, he will. He’s absolutely regal and royal. He’s manjha hua aadmi, pahocha hua toh main hoon! (laughs)

How do you select films?

Friendship – like how you invited me. I felt good, so I came here. Some people come and request me to work with them, saying ‘Meri film kar do… meri life ban jayegi‘. I tell them, ‘Bana… baad mein dono ka naam kharab hoga toh bolna mat‘. Jokes aside, if I get good roles like Aaranyakandam or Aurangzeb, or good banners, or good filmmaker friends, I do it. I don’t think much.

Looking back at your journey, what are the high and low points – things that you could’ve changed?

Raat gayi, baat gayi. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall… What’s gone is gone. I lost my parents, I lost my brother. I can’t get them back. What’s more down than that? That has been my lowest point. Nostalgia can kill and you can suffer. When you reminisce, you cry. Aage ki soch, bhidu. Don’t burn yourself out so fast! I will give this advice to everybody belonging to Bollywood, or even otherwise. There’s time. Ek hi scene mein sochega Oscar maar lu toh, that’s wrong!

What do you think of Bollywood camps – which do you belong to?

For me, it’s good that I don’t belong to any camp. All are my friends. Nobody was willing to do Chunni babu’s role in Devdas because of the fear of being overshadowed by Shahrukh Khan. Finally, it came to me. I don’t think much about my character’s screen time. I see the weight. When you don’t have any camps, it’s nicer. Everyone looks at you and feels ki yeh apna hi aadmi hai.

Who’s your best friend in Bollywood?

Danny, Dimple Kapadia, Amrita Singh.

You’re one of the most handsome and appealing heroes…

(Interrupts). Jab bhi kaam karta hoon, todke rakh deta hoon.

Any film you wish you had done?

Mughal E Azam.

What is your dream role?

Salim

Who would you want to play Anarkali?

Madhuri Dixit. Aur kaun?

Are you in touch with Meenakshi Sheshadri?

Yeah, I heard she wanted to direct me.

Signing of, Jackie emotionally said: It was a pleasure talking to you all. I haven’t changed a bit. I’m still the same Teen Batti naka guy. I share the same love and friendship of people. And from today onwards, you all have become my friends.

Dost ho to aise!

Ranbir Kapoor had said in a recent interview that Madhuri Dixit was his one true crush ever since he was a kid. And today, Ranbir has got to shake a leg with his crush in Ayan Mukerji’s directorial venture, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

In the song Ghagra, which has some awesome and colourful set designs, we see a cocky Ranbir trying to court a haughty Madhuri. Although it’s not a high energy dance number, something we would have ideally liked to see considering that they both are excellent dancers, the two make up for it with their electric chemistry. What’s interesting is that Mads’ character is called Mohini, the name she had in the iconic Ek do teen song too.

Rekha Bhardwaj’s voice is almost magical and sails through all the glimmer and gloss with its innocence and mischief intact. And as we said, though we like the song, we would have definitely loved to see some high energy moves onscreen!

[jwplayer mediaid="220256"]

There couldn’t be a better day to give us a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit grooving together in Ayan Mukerji’s next Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani; its MD’s birthday today! While the Gulaab Gang actor looks like an absolute delight in a shiny ghaagra and sexy choli, Ranbir Kapoor is seen dancing to his heart’s content. The song gives a very Kajra re kind of a feel. But what made the director (Ayan) opt for Madhuri opposite the Kapoor kid? “We just wanted to give people the sheer pleasure of seeing Ranbir Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in the same frame. Karan Johar came up with the idea. He had seen the two of them together in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and there was this interesting energy of a young boy and a woman who is slightly older,” he said.

While the makers wanted to create magic by bringing together two of the most sought-after stars, Ranbir is glad that he got to shake a leg with his childhood crush. He revealed in a recent interview that he will finally get to strike off one item from his wish list since his dream of dancing with Mads has now been fulfilled.

Must say Madhuri is looking deliciously sexy in the number. We especially love the orange ghaagra and royal blue choli that she’s wearing in one of the sequences. Don’t you think she manages to look like a chamyaa even at 46? And if you have a look at the signature step carefully (the way she is forming a ring with her thumb and index finger) , you will notice that it has a great similarity with the way she utters ‘perfect’ on JDJ while complimenting the participants in her own graceful style. Can’t wait to see the video now!

What is the raaz of Madhuri Dixit-Nene‘s beauty at 46? Definitely not the anti-ageing product she endorses. She dances, she exercises, she maintains her skin, she eats right and stays positive – but surely that’s not enough to look younger than her age, feel some BollywoodLifers. Reader Aditi saw Mads on the cover of AsiaSpa magazine, and commented, “Bad job with cheek implants and botox. Very artificial.”

Botox shots, maybe. But cheek implants and augmentation? Do you really think Madhuri has undergone these procedures? Or is it just her natural beauty? However, wethinks the face and body might age, but the grace and elegance will be hers forever. Agree? Tell us!

READ MORE: Anniversary Special: What are the best comments on BollywoodLife?

ALSO READ: How does Madhuri Dixit-Nene manage to keep so fit?

Madhuri Dixit is definitely one of the most revered and loved female actors in B-town, even today. Despite a long break from acting and an unsuccessful comeback attempt, Madhuri is back in the limelight, and her fans and the film industry have welcomed her with open arms. As the actor celebrates her 46th birthday today, we wonder what makes her one of the most desirable women on the silver screen, so many years after she started her career.

Why else would a young actor like Ranbir Kapoor bribe his friend and director Ayan Mukherjee to allow him to kiss her during the making of their Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani song (Ghagra) or make an acclaimed director like Vishal Bhardwaj desperately want to work with her, or the industry invite this beautiful lady to be a part of every awards function since her return from the US! It’s the kind of love and acceptance not many heroines in Bollywood receive after they are past their peak. We try to decode the magic of Madhuri to find out what makes her ‘wanted’ even today.

The Madhubala connection

Madhuri was definitely a victim of the outrageous 90s fashion scene. She often permed her hair, wore gaudy makeup and weird outfits, yet she became known as one of the most beautiful female actors of her time. She didn’t have great skin – her face was covered in pimples; she was known to be cold and unwilling to get into relationships with her colleagues (except for a reported link-up with Sanjay Dutt). Then what made her desirable? It was simply her radiant smile and gracious personality that shone through. She was soon compared to yesteryear beauty Madhubala, and like her, Madhuri too has become an icon.

Ageing gracefully

Madhuri Dixit is not in the best possible shape now, even though she has been working on her figure. She has given birth to two children and the effects show. But the actor has aged gracefully. Unlike some of her contemporaries from the 90s who have resorted to Botox and surgery, Madhuri looks her age and feels like a real woman. We like!

Dancing diva

Madhuri is perhaps the most graceful and talented dancers in Indian cinema. Her songs and dances have become a part of the audience’s collective dreamscape. Who can forget the steps from Ek do teen from Tezaab, or the thumkas from Humko aaj kal hai from Sailaab, or even the way she raises her eyebrows one after the other in Maar daala from Devdas? These are sequences that sighs are made of, and we just can’t wait to watch her shake her hips in the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani song Ghagra with Ranbir.

Superb actor

Her facial expressions, body language and screen presence are matchless. Most of today’s female stars can only dream of acquiring the acting skills and the stardom that Mads had in her day. She’s got amazing comic timing, a convincing dramatic ability and mastery over dialogue delivery. With a sea change in B-town’s subjects and scripts, we are sure Mads will nab some powerful roles (she already has Gulab Gang and Dedh Ishqiyaa) and continue entertaining us.

Happy birthday, Madhuri!