Chaitanya Padukone
Late last night, the film fraternity was yet again jolted by the sad news of veteran actor-comedian-director-singer Jagdeep’s (age 81 years) passing away . Not many were aware until now, that Jagdeep was actually his stage-screen name and that his real name was Sayyed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jaffrey. An inspiring success-story—Jagdeep literally rose from rags to riches and from anonymity to immortality.
The credit goes mainly to his in-born acting caliber, hard work, determination and frequent improvisation even as he played a wide variety of contrasting screen- characters with hilarious facial expressions and quirky voice modulations.
A flood of condolences have poured in from the showbiz industry, even from the younger generation because most of them also connected with his talented actor-dancer son Javed Jafferi and his young actor grandson Mezaan . The tearful tributes are flowing in from luminaries like Javed Akhtar who said “ Comedy was his second successful inning . Great talent , underused . Good bye sir” .The emotional Dharmendra tweeted, ".Tum bhi chale gaye ....sadme ke baad sadma..... Jannat naseeb ho .....tumhein."
ln a befitting tribute senior actor Anil Kapoor said Jagdeep-saab was one of the greatest actors of India...I was his huge fan & was lucky enough to have worked with him in Ek Baar Kaho & many more films--Always extremely supportive & encouraging... sending my heartfelt condolences & prayers to my friend Javed & family”. Veteran producer Devi Dutt ( Guru Dutt’s younger brother) had tears welling in his eyes as he shared , “What an uncanny coincidence that today ( 09th July) is Guru Dutt’s 95th birth anniversary. Actually, I knew Jaggu ( that’s we fondly called young Jagdeep) very closely for many years ever since he acted as a child artiste in my elder brother’s classic hit musical movie ‘Aar Paar’ (1954) .
Twenty years later, after watching him as ‘Soorma Bhopali’ in Sholay I remember complimenting him and he would recall how he shared a close bonding with ‘mentor’ Guru Dutt-jee and with me. A naturally talented actor, he was a scene-stealer most of the time. Then I recall how he gleefully called me up to share the good news that he had turned ‘director’ for this movie called ‘Soorma Bhopali’ where he played a double-role. The title song ‘Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar’ was originally picturised on Master Jagdeep and Baby Shobha.
But the censor board refused to pass it unless reshot with lip-sync by an adult mature actress . Which is why it was later picturised on Kum Kum. Really heart-breaking to know that Jagdeep is no more with us. Am sharing a rare posed photo-image clicked at the premiere of ‘Aar Paar’ which has heroine Shakila, actress Shyama, Gurudutt ,Johnny Walker, Master Jagdeep and Noor,” says the 82 year old active film-producer Devi Dutt ( of ‘Masoom’ fame)