Ahead of Baby John’s release here’s a look at underrated characters played by Jackie Shroff

Jackie Shroff left an indelible mark in Hindi Cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. The action star carved his niche by starring in as many as 250 films in 13 languages. But most often it happens that it’s the minor impactful roles that go amiss from the audience’s attention. While his massive commercial successes like Parinda, Khalnayak, Border, Bandhan, Rangeela and Angar, to name a few were lauded, there were also some underrated characters that reminds people of the versatility that Jackie Shroff brought to the big screen with myriad roles. Let’s take a look at those characters.

Shiva P Sathe in Gardish
Jackie Shroff’s name in the film Gardish was Shiva P. Sathe. He plays a righteous police officer who’s on his path to becoming a responsible officer. However, destiny seems to have other plans for him, as various unforeseen circumstances provoke him to choose the road of crime. What’s interesting to note here is Shroff’s terrific range as he transitions from a soft-hearted gentleman to an unrecognizable villain as he fights onscreen.

Hilal Kohistani in Mission Kashmir
Shroff essayed the role of one of the most villainous characters of all time Hilal Kohistani in Mission Kashmir. Here he was a ruthless Pathan leader of a terrorist group in Kashmir who pulled all tactics and wouldn’t stop to destroy India by setting an uproar of conflicts. His core antagonistic traits included being manipulative and vengeful and would sort to any means in the name of religion and love for Islam to bring in Justice. He played his role to the utmost conviction.

Raj Singh Puri in Yaadein
Jackie Shroff as Raj Singh Puri in Yaadein was a character that you would instantly feel drawn to. He played a middle-aged father in this romantic film, a Londoner who shifts base to India with his 3 daughters after the untimely death of his wife. It was s adeeply empathetic character that revolves around a conservative yet modern father who grapples with his children’s romantic relationships. He received wide recognition for his role as the father who was more of a friend to his children that’s quite relatable in modern society.

Balli in Hulchul
Most fans often treat Hulchul as the film where Jackie Shroff was simply playing himself – a happy-go-lucky persona. It’s one of Priyadarshan’s most loved comedy films and Shroff is seen as a sweet yet naive character in the film as Balli aka Balram Chand. It’s a powerful character as always but a little less out loud as his screen presence is usually his, but the impact is profound as always. The film had an ensemble cast featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Suneil Shetty and Arshad Warsi to name a few, Shroff’s portrayal is deeply loved and remembered.

Bhoot Unkle
Back in 2006 when the whole concept of the horror-comedy genre was still taking shape, Jackie Shroff came up with yet another interesting and dynamic character Bhoot Unkle in the same-named film. It was thoroughly entertaining to see him essay the character of a free-spirited ghost who completely turns the life of a teenager upside-down by using his magical powers. To date, kids of that generation remember ‘Bhoot Unkle’ fondly and how his onscreen tactics cracked everyone up.

Charan Grover in Happy New Year
Jackie as a big baddie in Happy New Year was both convincing and hard-hitting. It’s easy to wade past this character, but it’s memorable because Shroff makes his negative roles look super powerful on the big screen. He essays the character of Charan Grover in the film who ruined Charlie’s (Shah Rukh Khan) father’s life years ago, the plot revolves around Charlie returning for his revenge on Charan Grover by forming a big group of thieves and hatching a plan to get back at the villain. Jackie’s ruthless gaze and cold personality make his honest portrayal one of the most effective ones in the commercial Hindi space. The film was a massive blockbuster.