13 august 2024 : Jackie Shroff reflected on his modest beginnings as an aspiring actor in the Hindi film industry. The actor, who rose to prominence in the 1980s, recounted his experiences living in Mumbai’s Teen Batti chawl during a recent interview with Ranveer Allahbadia. He shared a poignant memory of being bitten by a rat while residing in a cramped room within the chawl.
During the interview, Jackie recounted, “I vividly recall those days when I would wait outside the chawl’s bathroom with my mug in hand. There were seven small buildings, yet only three bathrooms available for all the residents. Each morning, a queue would form outside the toilet as people rushed to get to work. This memory remains so vivid that I sometimes find myself dreaming of standing in that line.”
When presented with a photograph of his former room, Jackie elaborated, “I would sit on the floor to eat, which I believe is the best way to enjoy a meal. My mother would prepare the food, and I would sit on the ground to eat. Those memories are etched in my mind. I also slept on the floor of that room, where I once spotted a snake in the corner. On another occasion, both my mother and I were bitten by a rat. This was during the mid-1960s. I occasionally visit that place, as it holds my childhood memories. I even approached the landlord about renting the space, but he declined my offer, despite my willingness to pay the same rent as others. I am still pursuing this matter…”
Jackie is set to appear next in the action-thriller “Baby John,” alongside Varun Dhawan and Rashmika Mandanna. Additionally, he will portray the antagonist in Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again,” which features prominent actors such as Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Arjun Kapoor in significant roles.