Jagdeep dies at 81: Veteran actor to be laid to rest at Shia Kabristan in Mumbai at 11 am

Bollywood's Soorma Bhopali, veteran actor Jagdeep died of age-related issues on Wednesday night at his home. The actor (81) had not been keeping well. He will be laid to rest at Mumbai's Shia Kabarstan, Mustafa Bazaar in Majgaon, at 11 am today.

Born as Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri, Jagdeep worked in more than 400 films in his career. He was known for his impeccable comic timing and immortalised several characters on screen. His most iconic role is that of Soorma Bhopali in Ramesh Sippy's Sholay (1975). Later in 1988, he went on to direct a film entirely dedicated to the character in which he played the titular role.

Jagdeep began his journey in cinema with the 1951 film Afsana, which marked filmmaker B.R. Chopra’s directorial debut. His is a rag-to-riches story. After the death of his father in childhood and partition, his family struggled to make ends meet. In order to meet his mother, the late actor, at the age of six or seven, landed on the sets of Afsana after being spotted on the streets of Mumbai.

He is the father of popular actor Jaaved Jaaferi and Naved Jafri. Actor Meezan Jaaferi, who made his debut with 2019 film Malaal, is his grandson.

As soon as the news of Jagdeep's demise made it to social media, many celebrities expressed condolences to his family. Johny Lever, who did his first film with the veteran actor, wrote, "My first film & the first time I ever faced the camera, was in the film #yehrishtanatoote with the legend himself #Jagdeep bhai. We will miss you... May his soul rest in peace. Our prayers & deepest condolences to the family (sic)."

My first film & the first time I ever faced the camera, was in the film #yehrishtanatoote with the legend himself #Jagdeep bhai. We will miss you...May his soul rest in peace Our prayers & deepest condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/uhBjYSZdVe — Johny Lever (@iamjohnylever) July 8, 2020

Lyricist Javed Akhtar also took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary comedian. He wrote, "Jagdeep saheb had first appeared on the screen as a winsome child Artiste in films like Do bigha Zameen . As a young man he played highly emotional n dramatic roles in films like Bhabi, patang. Comedy was his second successful inning. Great talent, underused. Good bye sir (sic)."

Jagdeep saheb had first appeared on the screen as a winsome child Artiste in films like Do bigha Zameen . As a young man he played highly emotional n dramatic roles in films like Bhabi , patang . Comedy was his second successful inning . Great talent , underused . Good bye sir . — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 9, 2020

Jagdeep is survived by his two sons, Jaaved Jaaferi and Naved Jafri, two daughter-in-laws and grandchildren.

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