Thank you for laughter and smiles: fraternity members, former colleagues remember Jagdeep

Actor Jagdeep’s “Sholay” co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra were among the industry people to pay fond tributes to the veteran artiste whose unique style of comedy made him popular across generations. Lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar, who co-wrote “Sholay” with Salim Khan, said Jagdeep gave life to the part, making it iconic. “He worked hard on the Bhopali accent and got it perfect.

Actor Jagdeep's "Sholay" co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra were among the industry people to pay fond tributes to the veteran artiste whose unique style of comedy made him popular across generations. Bachchan said Jagdeep, the Soorma Bhopali to his Jai and Dharmendra's Veeru in "Sholay", was an actor with "exceptional comedic repertoire".

Jagdeep died on Wednesday at his residence. He was 81. Bachchan said he worked with Jagdeep in many films, but people best remember their performance in "Sholay" and "Shahenshah".

"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'. "He had even requested me to do a small guest role in a film he was producing, which I did," Bachchan recalled, referring to the movie "Soorma Bhopali" which Jagdeep later directed. Veteran actor Dharmendra said it was saddening to hear about Jagdeep's demise.

"I am very, very sad. I have worked with him on quite a few films. He was not just a comedian but a talented actor. An actor like him cannot be forgotten," Dharmendra told PTI. Lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar, who co-wrote "Sholay" with Salim Khan, said Jagdeep gave life to the part, making it iconic.

"He worked hard on the Bhopali accent and got it perfect. His comic timing was very good," Akhtar told PTI. The veteran screenwriter added that Jagdeep played "emotionally charged" and dramatic roles when he had started out in films like "Bhabhi" (1957) and "Patang" in 1960, but wasn't given many opportunities in the genre.

"Comedy was his second successful innings... but I rue the fact that he wasn't given an opportunity to do more emotional and dramatic roles too. Great talent sadly underused. Goodbye Sir," he wrote on Twitter. Director Rajkumar Santoshi, who worked with the actor in four of his films including "Andaz Apna Apna", said the actor treated everyone nicely.

"I never saw him angry. He was a fun loving person who worked with so many big directors but had no ego about it. "As an actor, he had a great timing in comedy but at the same time, his emotional side was also very rich. He was known as a funny man but he was great at emotional scenes. Sadly, no one offered him that many movies." Actor Ranjeet said his collaboration with Jagdeep went beyond a dozen films, including Dharmendra's 1982 "Ghazab" and the comedian's film "Soorma Bhopali". He remembered Jagdeep as a "warm co-star".

"I met him in the early days of my career and was fortunate enough to get to work with him in so many films. He was such a loving man, a warm co-star. I fondly remember working with him in 'Soorma Bhopali'. We laughed so much while shooting for the film. Those were the days. With him, there was non-stop happiness and laughter around," Ranjeet told PTI. The actor said Jagdeep's talent was "unmatched". "He had built such a strong platform and name for himself. It pains that he isn't here anymore. He was such a fine talent. His contribution to cinema was immense." Actor Prem Chopra, who has worked with Jagdeep in "countless" films, including Shashi Kapoor-Rekha starrer "Do Musafir" in 1978, remembered the actor's passion for his craft. "He was so passionate about acting. He had his heart in every role he did, irrespective of the length. He would do it with sincerity and perfection. His comic timing was immaculate. "He was in the industry right from the childhood so was extremely mature. He knew the ins and outs of the industry. His death is painful," Chopra told PTI. The last of the comic icons in the tradition of seniors Johnny Walker and Mehmood, the actor had a prolific career that started when he was just six. Jagdeep, whose real name was Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri, began his journey in cinema with the 1951 film "Afsana", which marked filmmaker BR Chopra's directorial debut.

He kept picking up big and small roles with directing greats like KA Abbas in "Munna", Guru Dutt in "Aar Paar" and Bimal Roy in "Do Bigha Zamin". He graduated to a lead star over the years with "Bhabhi" and "Barkha", but it was Shammi Kapoor-starrer "Brahmachari" in 1968 that started him on his journey as a comedian, whose comic timing, big smile, unique voice and facial expressions made his presence mandatory in films thereafter.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt took to Twitter to remember the "outstanding actor". "He was a 'rainbow' in our sky! Filled our life with laughter. Goodbye sir," Bhatt wrote.

Shilpa Shetty, who recently worked with Jagdeep's grandson Meezaan in "Hungama 2", recalled her collaboration with the actor in the 2002 drama "Rishtey". "Extremely saddened by the news of Jagdeep ji's demise. 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 being," Shetty tweeted.

Madhuri Dixit Nene said the actor's on-screen presence will remain "unmatched". "He was a gentle soul and he told us lovely stories of the black and white era. Thank you for the decades of laughter and entertainment. My heartfelt condolences to Jaaved and your family," Madhuri, who worked with his son Jaaved Jaaferi in the thriller "100 Days", wrote.

Abhishek Bachchan thanked the actor for "filling our lives with smiles". Ashutosh Gowariker said Jagdeep's dialogue "Paise? Aise kaise paise maang rahe ho!" from "Sholay" is something that he uses even today.

"King of comic timing and voice modulation! RIP Sir! Deepest condolences to Javed-Naved & fam! @jaavedjaaferi @NavedJafri_BOO," the filmmaker tweeted. Anil Kapoor said Jagdeep was one of the greatest actors in the country.

"I was his huge fan & was lucky enough to have worked with him in 'Ek Baar Kaho' & many more films... he was always extremely supportive & encouraging...sending my heartfelt condolences & prayers to my friend Javed & family," Kapoor added. Bollywood personalities including Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee, Ayushmaan Khurrana, Sanjay Mishra, Johnny Lever, Hansal Mehta also took to social media to pay tributes to the great artiste who made everyone laugh with his roles.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)