Veteran actor-comedian Jagdeep (born as Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri on 29 March 1939) dies at the age of 81. An official statement from the family is still awaited.

Popular for playing ‘Soorma Bhopali’ in Sholay, Jagdeep appeared in more than 400 films. He appeared in films like Purana Mandir (1984), Salman Khan’s dad in Andaz Apna Apna (1994), and directed a movie Soorma Bhopali with this character as the protagonist.

A close friend of the family said the actor, was not keeping well. “He passed away at 8.30 pm at his residence in Bandra. He was not keeping well due to age related issues,” producer Mehmood Ali, a close family friend, told PTI.

Jagdeep, famous for his expression ‘khambha ukhadke’, started his career as a child actor at the age of nine to support his family. In his first film, BR Chopra’s Afsana, he was a face in the crowd who later got a speaking part because he could say the dialogues in chaste Urdu.

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“I joined the industry, because I needed money. I never had any ambitions of playing the lead role or anything,” Jagdeep had said in an interview. Afsana opened the doors for him, and he went on to work in Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke — for which he was felicitated by the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Raj Kapoor’s Ab Dilli Door Nahin, K A Abbas’ Munna and Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zameen.

Jagdeep played hero in five films, opposite heroines like Nanda (Bhabhi), Azra, Amita and Naaz. It was with Bhabhi that he gravitated towards comic roles. It was the character of Soorma Bhopali from Sholay which would become his most memorable. The actor would go on to direct the film Soorma Bhopali in 1988, in which Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Rekha had cameos. He also acted in a number of horror films made by the Ramsay Brothers. IIFA honoured him with Lifetime Achievement Award.

Actor Ajay Devgn mourned his demise and tweeted, “Heard the sad news of Jagdeep Saab’s demise. Always enjoyed watching him 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.”

Source : ETIMES

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