Home / Arts and Entertainment / Jackie Shroff's Debut Lead Role Snatched by Mithun Chakraborty
Jackie Shroff's Debut Lead Role Snatched by Mithun Chakraborty
6 Oct
Summary
- Jackie Shroff offered lead role in Dev Anand's film, later given to Mithun Chakraborty
- Shroff demoted to villain's sidekick role due to Chakraborty's superior dancing skills
- Shroff accepted the role with grace, went on to have a successful 4-decade career

Nearly three months ago, veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, lovingly known as 'Jaggu Dada,' shared an interesting story from the early days of his acting career. In a conversation with Bigg Boss 19 fame Kunickaa Sadanand, Shroff revealed that he was initially offered a lead role in Dev Anand's film Swami Da.
Shroff was thrilled to be offered the second lead by the legendary Dev Anand, who was accompanied by his son, Sunil, during the meeting. However, Shroff's excitement was short-lived as Anand later informed him that he had decided to give the role to Mithun Chakraborty instead, as Chakraborty was a better dancer.
Shroff, who had already shared the news of his lead role with his mother, was demoted to a villain's sidekick role. Despite the disappointment, Shroff accepted the role with grace, as his mother encouraged him to do the film with all his heart. Shroff went on to play a "typical tough guy" in the villain's den, alongside Shakti Kapoor's character.
This early setback did not deter Shroff's determination, and he went on to have a successful career spanning over four decades in the film industry. Shroff is currently set to appear in the upcoming films Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, slated for release in cinemas on December 31, 2025, and the action-thriller King, which features Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan.