Sholay's 'Soorma Bhopali' Jagdeep dies at 81
Mumbai: Veteran actor Jagdeep, whose paan-stained grin and mischievous eyes as Soorma Bhopali in Sholay made him popular across generations, died on Wednesday at his residence. He was 81.
The actor had not been keeping well, producer Mehmood Ali, a family friend, told PTI. "He passed away at 8.30 pm at his residence in Bandra. He was not keeping well because of age-related issues," Ali said.
Jagdeep will be laid to rest at a cemetery in south Mumbai around 11.30 am on Thursday, he added.
The last of the comic icons in the tradition of seniors Johnny Walker and Mehmood, the actor had a prolific career that lasted beyond 400 films and many memorable roles.
Jagdeep, whose real name was Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri, started his journey in cinema with the 1951 film "Afsana", which marked filmmaker BR Chopra's directorial debut.
It was a riches-to-rags story for child Jagdeep, whose family's fortunes declined after his father's death and the Partition. In interviews, he recalled how his mother, once used to servants and other luxuries, raised him while working as a cook in an orphanage.
Young Jagdeep was eager to help her and at the age of six or seven, he landed on the sets of "Afsana" after being spotted on the streets of Mumbai.
The role promised him three rupees as fee, which was doubled when the young actor got to mouth a dialogue.
Recalling his father's journey in cinema, his actor son Jaaved Jaaferi once said Jagdeep was destined to be a part of show business. "My father was a child when he was looking for a job after Partition. When someone asked him if he wanted to work in films, he said all he needed was a job. He was chosen from the streets to star in a film as a child actor. He was destined to be in the industry, it was fate," Jaaferi had told PTI in a recent interview.
After Afsana, Jagdeep 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.
Jagdeep had a prolific career, but it is his role as Soorma Bhopali in the 1975 blockbuster "Sholay" that became truly iconic thanks to the Bhopali lilt in the Salim-Javed dialogue, "Hamara naam Soorma Bhopali aisei nahi hai". The role became so popular that 'Soorma Bhopali' became a second screen moniker for the actor.
Though pigeonholed in comedic roles, Jagdeep knew how to make people smile through his performances be it the mainstream Bollywood movies, Ramsay Brothers' horror film "Purana Mandir" or in cult comedy "Andaz Apna Apna" where he played Salman Khan's father, Bankelal Bhopali, perhaps a hat-tip to his "Sholay" role.
Actors Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee, Ayushmaan Khurrana, Sanjay Mishra, Johnny Lever and director Hansal Mehta took to social media to pay tributes to the great artiste who made everyone laugh with his roles. Devgan, who worked with Jagdeep in his 1991 Bollywood debut "Phool Aur Kaante", said he "always enjoyed watching" the senior actor on screen.
"He brought so much joy to the audience. My deepest condolences to Jaaved and all members of the family. Prayers for Jagdeep Saab's soul," he added.
"Thank you for all the memories that I have watching your films and performances in my childhood!! You will be missed by us all!! Condolences to the family!" said Bajpayee.
Lever, a famous comedian himself, remembered his first film "Ye Rishta Na Toote" in which he faced the camera with Jagdeep.
"We will miss you. May his soul rest in peace. Our prayers & deepest condolences to the family," he tweeted.
Mehta said the veteran actor will always be "cherished and remembered with a broad smile". "I hope people get to see a film called 'Muskurahat' by Priyadarshan sir to witness his brilliance. It is one of my favourite Jagdeep saahab performances," the director said.
Khurrana said Jagdeep's contribution to the industry will always be remembered. "Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for the memories," he added.
"I love lots of movies because of you Jagdeep sir but I don't like how you left us today #SoormaBhopali, you devoted (your) whole life to Hindi cinema. You are #Kaamyaab," said Mishra.
Jagdeep also directed the movie "Soorma Bhopali" with his character as the protagonist.
He is survived by sons - actor Jaaved and producer Naved.
His grandson Meezaan made his debut as an actor with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production "Malaal" last year. In an interview with PTI recently, Meezaan had called his grandfather a "Diwali firework".
"He is so much like how you see him on screen: fun, energetic and positive. I had a lot of conversations about the film industry with my grandfather, who would tell me stories, his experiences of film shoots more than my father did," the actor had said. Jagdeep is gone but for countless fans he will forever be Soorma Bhopali, the raconteur of amusing stories.
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VP Radhakrishnan discusses further deepening of bilateral ties with Sri Lankan President Dissanayake
Colombo (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake here on Sunday and held productive discussions on further deepening the multifaceted bilateral ties, housing projects and fishermen issues between the two South Asian neighbours.
Radhakrishnan, who arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day visit, also discussed with Dissanayake the ongoing Indian project implementation in Sri Lanka with emphasis on the USD 450 million Cyclone Ditwah aid offered by India.
Accompanied by a 49-member delegation, the vice president was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and several other dignitaries.
Radhakrishnan’s visit is the first ever by an Indian vice president to Sri Lanka, officials said.
Radhakrishnan laid emphasis on India’s 'Neighbourhood First' policy and developmental bilateral cooperation, officials said.
“Both leaders held productive discussions on further deepening the multifaceted India–Sri Lanka ties, rooted in shared history, strong civilizational and people-to-people linkages,” according to a social media post by Radhakrishnan.
They held wide-ranging discussions on various initiatives, including the Indian housing project and projects being implemented under the USD 450 million package for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, including reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the most affected regions of the Indian-origin Tamil community, it added.
The two sides also discussed addressing fishermen issues in a humanitarian manner, considering the livelihoods of fishing communities on both sides.
The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka.
The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya hosted a luncheon meeting for the vice president at her official residence, Temple Trees, in Colombo.
“Both leaders shared the civilizational heritage of the two countries and discussed the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties, including people-to-people bonds,” Radhakrishnan said in a post on X.
Sri Lanka’s Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa also called on Radhakrishnan in Colombo and both leaders discussed further strengthening India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties.
“Sri Lanka and India are not just neighbours, we are true partners with shared history, shared challenges, and a shared future. It is time we move with greater ambition, intent and trust, to reap the benefits of this partnership for all citizens,” Premadasa said in a social media post.
He also met leaders of Sri Lankan Tamil parties and Indian Origin Tamil parties.
The Tamil parties thanked the Government of India for its efforts for the USD 450 million rehabilitation and relief package post Cyclone Ditwah, as well as other relief measures taken.
A number of memoranda of understanding between the two countries are also scheduled to be exchanged during the visit, a Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry release said.
Later in the day, the vice president also participated in a community reception organised by the Indian diaspora here during which he virtually handed over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities, built with assistance from the Indian government as part of the third phase of the Indian Housing Project.
With this, the total number of houses for Tamil communities will reach 50,000, and 10,000 more houses are being built in the fourth phase of the project, an official statement said.
On Monday, the vice president will travel to Nuwara Eliya, visit the Indian Housing Projects, and interact with the local Tamil community.
This visit, which follows recent high-level engagements between the two countries, is expected to further strengthen the millennia-old civilisational and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka, an official statement said.
