Father's Day 2025: 'My Dad Was My First Superhero', Tiger Shroff On Jackie Shroff’s Impact On And Off Screen
For a significant period, Tiger found himself rather uncomfortable in his father's formidable presence. He readily admits, "I didn't like being compared with my father. There was nothing to compare!" He describes himself as "shy, gawky and very under confident around women," a stark contrast to his father's effortless charm. "My father could charm anyone with just one look. What was I? Not even a chip off the block."
The struggle to carve out his own identity, free from comparisons, was an uphill battle from the start. Tiger reveals, "I would've never done a remake of my father's film Hero. Not at the start of my career. Not now! The comparisons would have killed my career!" He recollects his early days, stating, "My father oozed sexy confidence in Hero. In my debut film Heropanti, I could barely hold my own on camera. I got clobbered by critics in my first film. My dad was loved from the start."
Filmy childhood
Tiger acknowledges that his childhood wasn't filled with constant time alongside his famous dad. "When my sister and I were growing up, dad was out shooting constantly," he shares. "Mom chose to give up her career and look after us." Despite the demanding schedule, Jackie Shroff made sure to be present for significant family moments. "Dad would still make sure he was around for all of mine and my sister's important occasions, birthdays included."
Caped hero
When asked about his favourite of his father's films, Tiger doesn't hesitate. "Oh, that's easy. Shiva Ka Insaaf is my all-time favourite film!" He fondly remembers, "As a child, I've watched it over and over again. Every son's first hero is his father. My dad was my first superhero. For me, he was Superman and Batman combined."
This childhood fascination even played out on screen. Tiger was absolutely delighted when he had the chance to portray a superhero in The Flying Jatt, much like his father did in Shiva Ka Insaaf. "I was thrilled when I got to play out a childhood fantasy in The Flying Jatt," he exclaims. He also notes the lack of comparison risk, explaining, "There was no risk of comparisons with my dad since his Shiva Ka Insaaf was a different superhero story."
Shiva Ka Insaaf holds a special place in his memory, being the first 3D film in Hindi cinema. Tiger recalls the magic of watching his father soar through the air. "I loved to see my dad play the desi superhero," he says. "My father didn't have to try to be a superhero, it came naturally to him. He was tall, well-built and his body-language rendered itself effortlessly to the superhero mould. I had to work hard to get into the superhero mould. I hope I'm never compared with my father."
Forging his own path
Tiger has been deliberately charting a career path that avoids direct comparisons with his father's illustrious journey. "I could never do his Hero. Not in this life. Not in any life," he asserts. His admiration for his father is constant, transcending any single day. "I think about him everyday. I don't need one special day to do so."
Jackie Shroff's incredible journey, from a Mumbai chawl to superstardom, is a constant source of inspiration and a lesson in humility for Tiger. "He has been taking care of me ever since I was a child. He has sheltered me and given me such a happy childhood," Tiger shares. "I know the background that he came from. My father used to stay in a chawl in the Teen Batti area… And (seeing)… where he has come to… that inspires me to work hard and do amazing things for my family."
However, he doesn't seek professional advice from his father, who has been in the industry since 1982. "No, I don't consult him on my career because his style and my style of working are very different," Tiger explains. "He does everything in a very 'bindaas' way and I can't be that 'bindaas'."
Pride and aspiration
Tiger's ultimate goal in life is profoundly family-oriented. "My aim in life is to live for my family and give them 10 times the love and affection that they showered on me throughout my life," he states with conviction. Despite his own achievements, he remains humble in the face of his father's legacy. "I can never match up to my father, but I hope someday I am able to make him proud."
He reiterates his long-held belief: "Every son's first hero is his father, and in my case, my father is actually a hero. I've always been fascinated with him, and I was in awe of everything he did." He beams with pride at his father's enduring popularity. "Everywhere we go, my father is always surrounded by fans, and I feel so proud."
Tiger even playfully acknowledges the growing competition between them for fan attention. "Nowadays, when we go out for lunch, it has become a 50-50 situation. The competition is increasing at home as well. We often joke about who has more people running after him." He adds with a chuckle, "I keep telling him, 'Dad, give me one more year. After that, things will begin to change.'"
Recalling the filming of his debut, Heropanti, Tiger reveals, "When I began working on Heropanti, my first film, my father wasn't there for a single day. Thank god for that. I would have frozen if he had been around. He knows I'm very intimidated by his presence in certain situations." His father's reaction to the film, however, was a moment he cherishes. "When he saw the film, he was happy with my performance. Since it was the first time he was seeing me on screen, he did show some emotion. I could see that he was the tensest, even though he acted all macho and bindaas. Until the film's numbers started pouring in, he was the one not sleeping at night."
Tiger's mother often shared stories of Jackie Shroff's life before fame. "My mother used to constantly tell me about my father's life before he became an actor," he says. "She had been with him much before he became a star." He recounts hearing about his father's humble beginnings in a Mumbai chawl and how, even after becoming an "overnight superstar with his first film, Hero, he continued to stay there for a good five to six years." He shares a memorable anecdote: "Chawls have public bathrooms, and he used to wait in line to do his business in the morning. I remember him telling me that after becoming a star, the only advantage was that the other residents used to let him cut the queue. He'd request them to let him go early, because he would be getting late for a shoot. I've heard so many such stories about him. It is amazing to hear about his humble background, his beginnings in the industry and what he's accomplished."
Despite his father's demanding career, Tiger's parents ensured a normal upbringing. "Growing up, I don't think I went to the set too often with my father. My parents have given me a very simple and normal childhood, just like anybody else's," he explains. The only times he felt his father was different were during family outings or school events. "He was a very hands-on father and very involved in our lives. There were times when he would fly to Ooty for a shoot in the morning, fly back at night to see me and then go back again the next day. I think he did that for almost 30 days continuously."
Shared respect
Tiger's grandmother, his father's mother, kept tapes of all his dad's films. "Every night, before I went to sleep, I'd watch one of his films," he reminisces. He names Gardish and Parinda as two of his favourite performances by his father. He even reveals a poignant memory: "In fact, the year I was born, he won the Filmfare best actor award for Parinda, and he carried me on to the stage. He had the black lady in one hand and me in the other. We still have a photo of that moment."
Despite their close bond, father and son don't often delve into discussions about films or Tiger's career. "My dad and I don't discuss films or my career too much. We don't even share too many common interests. I think we are as different as the North and South poles," Tiger admits. He describes his own disciplined lifestyle focused on "sports and fitness," contrasting it with his father's more "bindaas and cool" approach to fitness. "He's not a person who likes to be pushed around, so I've never forced him. He likes to do things his way."
What truly stands out for Tiger about his father is his unwavering authenticity. "The best part about him is that he has remained absolutely the same," Tiger concludes. "I think he is that same Jackie dada or Jacky bhai that people know. His mannerisms and his style of talking have remained the same. On set, he treats everybody equally. I've noticed that he always chills out with the light guys and the spot boys, even more than the director. He's such a cool guy that way, and that's why he has such mass appeal."
news