Actor Jagdeep breathed his last today (8th July) at his residence in Bombay. He was 81 and is survived by his wife, two sons, Jaaved and Naved Jafri, and a daughter.
Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri was born on 29th March, 1939. He was better known by his screen name of Jagdeep. He was an outstanding comedian who made the audiences laugh with his comedy, sometimes slapstick, at other times situational. He was particularly known for making facial contortions which evoked a lot of laughter. His character of Soorma Bhopali in Sholay is considered one of his best. In fact, so popular was that character that Jagdeep directed a film of that name with himself in the title role. His performance in Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke was loved by Jawaharlal Nehru so much that he gifted the actor his personal staff.
Jagdeep started out as a child actor in B.R. Chopra’s Afsana. He acted as a child star in films like Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Munna, Aar Paar and Do Bigha Zamin. He then played the lead roles in films like Bhabhi, Barkha and Bindiya but then moved to comic roles with Brahmachari. He also acted in some horror films like Purana Mandir and Saamri 3D. Among his well-known films are Bombay To Goa, China Gate, Andaz Apna Apna, Phool Aur Kaante, Shahenshah, Qurbani, Surakksha, Swarg Narak, Agent Vinod, Bidaai, Gora Aur Kala, Khilona, Teen Bahuraniyan and many more. In all, he acted in over 400 films in a career spanning almost 70 years. He also acted in regional cinema. He played the comedian in Rajasthani cinema’s biggest blockbuster, Bai Chali Sasariye. He also played the male lead in Rajasthani film Dhani Lugai.
Jagdeep was loved by all he came in contact with. He was extremely friendly by nature and enjoyed a great deal of goodwill in the industry.