Media Magick

Comedy is amongst the most difficult genres of acting. It is easier to make someone cry but it takes a lot of effort to make people smile and laugh. Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jaffrey aka Jagdeep was one of such actors for whom it wasn’t a challenging task to make a throng laugh on his acts. Chali Chali Re Patang Meri Chali Re, sung by Mohd. Rafi is the iconic super-hit song from Jagdeep’s first movie as a leading man from Bhabi. But the career of Jagdeep started long before Bhabi as child artist and supporting actors when he was just a kid. In the initial phase Jagdeep – the child actor worked in the films by B.R. Chopra, K.A.Abbas, Bimal Roy and AVM Productions.

Chali Chali Re Pattang – Bhabhi

The turning point of Jagdeep’s career were films like Brahmachari, Khilona, Sholay and Gora Aur Kala; films that made him a prominent comedian with impeccable comic timing. Jagdeep was paired with many stalwarts of Bollywood and was never dominated by any of them. In multiple films Jagdeep and Amitabh Bachchan shared screen space and the veteran Jagdeep always steals the show. With Dharmendra, Jetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha and Salman Khan etc. Jagdeep worked and always left a solid impact.

The character of Soorma Bhopali, from Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay become so popular the Jagdeep produced, directed and wrote Soorma Bhopali and played the titular character. Those who grew up watching Jagdeep’s films will always remember him as

Soorma Bhopali (Sholay)

From Do Aur Do Paanch

Madam’s Only Adam (Kaalia)

Badri Prasad Chaurasia (Muskurahat)

Baankay Lal Bhopali (Andaz Apna Apna)

and Ramaiyyah (China Gate)

Besides working with A-listers, Jagdeep also worked with struggling filmmakers to lend his support to them. Jagdeep also worked in horror flicks by Ramsay Brothers in films like Khooni Punja and Purana Mandir.

Jagdeep will be missed for his characters. He passed away on 8^th July 2020 at the age of 81. His innings were full of surprises and masterstrokes.