Jagdeep as Soorma Bhopali in Sholay with Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan. (Image courtesy: YouTube)
Highlights
- "He had crafted a unique individual style of his own," wrote Big B
- Javed Akhtar said Jagdeep was "underused"
- Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty and others also tweeted about Jagdeep
Actor Jagdeep, best known as Soorma Bhopali of 1975 film Sholay, died due to age related issues at his home in Mumbai on Wednesday. Bollywood celebs, many whom co-starred with the actor in their respective films, remembered him on social media. Actor Amitabh Bachchan, who co-starred with Jagdeep in Sholay (along with Dharmendra), remembered the actor in his blog post: "Last night we lost another gem... Jagdeep... The actor of exceptional comedic repertoire, passed away... He had crafted a unique individual style of his own .. and I had the honour of working with him in several films... the more prominent ones in the eyes of the audience being Sholay and Shahenshah... A humble human.. loved by millions."
Writer lyricist Javed Akhtar, who co-wrote the character of Soorma Bhopali (with writer Salim Khan), summed up Jagdeep's journey in cinema - as a "winsome" child artiste in Do Bigha Zamin to playing "highly emotional and dramatic roles." He added, "Comedy was his second successful inning. Great talent, underused . Good bye, sir." Javed Akhtar's son Farhan also added, "Thank you for the years of entertainment and laughs."
Actors Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn were among the first to tweet about the actor's death. Anil Kapoor, who co-starred with Jagdeep in Ek Baar Kaho, tweeted, "Jagdeep Saab was one of the greatest actors of India... He was always extremely supportive and encouraging." Ajay Devgn added, "Always enjoyed watching him on screen. He brought so much joy to the audience."
Actress Shilpa Shetty, who shared a few scenes with Jagdeep in 2002 film Rishtey (co-staring Anil Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor), shared a still from the film and wrote, "I had the good fortune to share screen space with him in Rishtey, such wonderful comic timing, in his inimitable style and an even more wonderful human."
Abhbishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Randeep Hooda and others also tweeted.
Jagdeep, born Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri, also featured in movies like Purana Mandir, Andaz Apna Apna, Life Partner, Bombay To Goa, Phool Aur Kaante, Shahenshah. He was last seen in 2012 movie Gali Gali Chor Hai.
He featured in over 400 films in a career spanning over six decades.